Wind Wings on 427 Cobras

[Dons427]

Wow! Nice photos, and Nice car!!!
This certainly clears things up a bit.
It seems that if an original cobra has the tapered frame and the same length upper and lower mounting blocks; then whether it is "right" or "wrong" is a matter of opinion, but it is what it is.
My opinion is; that they should have made the lower blocks longer to obtain a parallel gap between the wing glass and the windshield frame to eliminate the pinch point at the bottom. (So they work correctly, and look right)
If they could do it over, they would probably do what I have done to simply make the upper and lower hinge points parallel to the inside edge of the frame.
Enough said?

Don

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Dons427

(So they work correctly, and look right)

Don

Haven't had any issues with the original design over the last 29 years.

[A-Snake]

Here you can notice the blocks and windwing angle on CSX3288.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

[size="2"]Here you can notice the blocks and windwing angle on CSX3288.

That's a perfect shot. it's just a question of whether one likes the true, original look, or a slightly tweaked look. Uhhhh, you know, like dual roll bars....

[Dons427]

To A-Snake:
Your most recent photo does show that the blocks are the same length.
But it also demonstrates the wing is NOT parallel to the inside edge of the windshield frame, and it would contact the frame at the bottom when pulled fully inward. Now that they make the wind wings out of glass; they could break. Your photo looks just like mine did before my change; it had a 1/4-inch gap at the top, and a 1/4-inch over-lap on the frame at the bottom. I made the lower mounting blocks .510-inches longer to fix this.

Since this is an original cobra it may mean that this was not designed the best that it could have been from the start. JUST SAYING!
Some were right, I think based on my zoomed in photo a Gulf race car with longer lower blocks, and a parallel gap.

I'll admit that I am a Manufacturing Engineer so maybe I am being too critical.
I would rather have the change, so the wings do not break because they were pinched at the bottom.

Don

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Dons427

To A-Snake:
Your most recent photo does show that the blocks are the same length.
But it also demonstrates the wing is NOT parallel to the inside edge of the windshield frame, and it would contact the frame at the bottom when pulled fully inward. Now that they make the wind wings out of glass; they could break. Your photo looks just like mine did before my change; it had a 1/4-inch gap at the top, and a 1/4-inch over-lap on the frame at the bottom. I made the lower mounting blocks .510-inches longer to fix this.

Since this is an original cobra it may mean that this was not designed the best that it could have been from the start. JUST SAYING!
Some were right, I think based on my zoomed in photo a Gulf race car with longer lower blocks, and a parallel gap.

I'll admit that I am a Manufacturing Engineer so maybe I am being too critical.
I would rather have the change, so the wings do not break because they were pinched at the bottom.

Don

Yes, you can build your car anyway you wish. My posts were to clarify how original Cobras were built including the use of some type of polycarbonate for windwings, perhaps to help prevent breakage.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Dons427

If they could do it over, they would probably do what I have done to simply make the upper and lower hinge points parallel to the inside edge of the frame.

Don

Like yours, my blocks are mounted parallel to the inside edge of the windshield frame. That seems correct, even if not 'period correct'.

[DanEC]

The longer blocks are nicely done - and it looks good on your car.

[Dominik]

That GULF Cobra is my friend's RAM in Germany from Cobra-Corner. It IS quick, doing 10.6 et with a fuel injected 428.
He owns it since 1989.