1/8 Scale Scratchbuilt 427 AC Cobra

[bmwmech1]

Okay, I know everyone weighed in about continuing the F40 or starting a new build and I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, but this project has been gnawing at me for years... This may be my all-time favorite car for many reasons and I may end up building a 1:1 version as well, but I had to at least start on this project... I first did a set of plans... on the back of blotter sheets, no less! I started the body mold last weekend by stealing a page from Scratchbuilt's technique of XEPS foam and fiberglass layup... The body mold is coming along nicely and should be ready for the first coat of filler soon... Today, I started the frame and got the basic ladder done in 1/2 inch brass tubing... this is going to be incredible and I hope everyone follows this build with the ferver that you did the F40 build... This one just might be better...

















I'll try to keep the progress up... It's winter time...

Garey

[Hemi Killer]

I will definitely keep an eye on this. All you scratch building guys are nuts, it truly is an honor to watch projects like this take place.

[tony126c2]

Garey....I will not mention the F40 anymore And I am going to follow this build with great admiration! Are you going to give the car a brass body or will it be polyester? Is it curbside or with a scratched/bought engine?

regards

Ton

[bmwmech1]

Thanks guys... Ton, you know me better than to ask if it will be curbside Of course it will be full detail, working suspension, steering, etc. Everything will have to be made, since there is nothing in 1/8th scale to support this build. I am planning on a fiberglass body, since I didn't want to spend the time to make a wooden buck to hammer a tin or copper body out on. That would be a project in itself! But I may do a 289 FIA version after this one and try a metal body on that. I still want to do a 1/8th GT40 and a McLaren MK8 and maybe a Grand Sport Vette down the road, so I hope this project goes as smoothly as I have planned it to... only time will tell!

Garey

[cinqster]

Wheyhey! Nice one Garey - imagine that lined up with the RS60!

One of my favourite cars, so I'm really looking forward to this and I also wanna do a GT40 too!

I had a look at an apartment recently that is built on the grounds of the old AC factory which is near me! Not as glamerous as it sounds as they ended their days making 3 wheelers for invalids - disgraceful!

Good luck with the build mate

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by cinqster

Wheyhey! Nice one Garey - imagine that lined up with the RS60!

One of my favourite cars, so I'm really looking forward to this and I also wanna do a GT40 too!

I had a look at an apartment recently that is built on the grounds of the old AC factory which is near me! Not as glamerous as it sounds as they ended their days making 3 wheelers for invalids - disgraceful!

Good luck with the build mate

Thank you sir... I envy you guys that live across the pond and can experience all of the history of the classic age of motorsports just by walking out your front door! I'd love to travel to the UK for that reason!

Our 2 cars side by side would be a treat, indeed. I have this build posted on Club Cobra also and I am in communication with a guy from Istanbul who is getting me a lot of reference and even CAD designed chassis and body files from his 1:1 build he has been working on from scratch for 12 years! I hope that this build continues to be a treat, it definitely has been so far, but it's still early on. Maybe we'll have to put our heads together when the time comes for the GT40 build... I have been quietly collecting reference on that one for years now...

Garey

[tony126c2]

Originally Posted by bmwmech1

Thanks guys... Ton, you know me better than to ask if it will be curbside..................................Garey

Stupid me This is gonna be a real nice built! BTW do you know this site, they have a lot in 1:8

http://scalemotorcars.com/forum/index.php

Ton

[tuned.by.twenty]

Glad to see another car coming from you. This should be quite an entertaining read.

[bmwmech1]

Originally Posted by tuned.by.twenty

Glad to see another car coming from you. This should be quite an entertaining read.

Thanks man, I hope I don't disappoint... I'm really into the subject matter, so I feel good about the build...

Garey

[stainlesssteel]

Wow..looks like the latest trend in modeling is scratchbuilding 1:8's!
Great work so far mate, will be following closely!

[bmwmech1]

2 steps forward and 1 step back, as they say... I am not satisfied with the shape of the body at this point, so I have decided to take some more critical measurements and adjust my drawings, as necessary. This, of course, means that I will redo the foam body mold, as well. There are a few guys on the club cobra site who have given me some suggestions as to where the shape should be adjusted to make it more correct and less like some of the kit cars out there. Since I'm wanting to build this as an original Shelby 427, having the body shape wrong shoots this project in the foot, before I even get it going... I'll post some new pics in a few days...

Garey

[bmwmech1]

Didn't get alot done this week, but here are a few pics of some progress on the frame... I also worked on the body, but don't have enough done for pics yet. Enjoy the small update...









Garey

[rollin80s]

looks great bro. don't know how i missed this build thread. keep up the great work.

[tony126c2]

.......love it! A promissing progress

[lovegt40]

one of my fav. car ever.
good luck, will love to read all this