Widening Cobra Fiberglass Body by 11 Inches

[harroweras]

Dear Cobra Club members,

I live in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

I have a somewhat difficult project I need some help with.

I am looking for a referral to a Master Craftsman, that can cut my existing Cobra Body into 2 pieces, then add an 11 inch strip of fiberglass to extend the body width by 11 inches. This would also require the radii to be blended, and finished so I can either have it fully resprayed, or I can undertake the spray painting myself.

Can anyone recommend someone that may be willing to do this for me?

[strictlypersonl]

I hope you have $10k-$20k to spare, and that doesn't include paint.

[mr bruce]

I can do it, but i'm 1000 miles away in Pittsburgh pa

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by mr bruce

I can do it, but i'm 1000 miles away in Pittsburgh pa

I can vouch for Mr Bruce

He is about the only one experienced enough and crazy enough to take on such a Cobra project


Bill

[DanEC]

Eleven inches!!! Good grief. What about the windshield, suspension track, steering & pedals location, etc. I think the $10-20k could only be the tip of the iceberg.

[kevins2]

Can you tell us what is the purpose of this modification?

Kevin

[ERA 626]

why? why?

[FredG]

.....and will you be also widening the frame so the mounts and tires wind up where the should be?

[bobcowan]

This sounds like a really interesting project. I would guess that you're going to put the body on a different chassis. I'd like to see that.

[harroweras]

Its a long story how I got to decide on widenening my Cobra by 11 inches, the short is that I purchased a salvage 2018 Mustang GT350 with very low miles. It has a really nice suspension setup with hige brakes. Problem is the track is 76 inches wide, and would extend out by 4 1/2 inches each side. I found JBL in San Diego made a wide body, and I believe he sold off the mold to Larry Goins. I have not been succesful in reaching Larry. I thought it may be more economical to purchase a conpleted body, rather than cut and widen my existing Cobra. I know this would not sit well with purists, but I am a custom type of guy.

My cell phone is (954) 541-0098. Anyone that may be able to help. Let me know.
My email is harroweras@gmail.com

[snakeeyes]

Sounds like a monster if you can pull it off. There’s room for everyone in the Cobra hobby, and although I’m more towards the purist end of things, I’ve always admired the engineering of the JBL cars and would absolutely love to get one on a track. Best of luck with the project.

[twobjshelbys]

I'm sure the wheelbase of the Mustang is longer than the Cobra, so without not only some widening will be needed, but if you place the wheel wells above the wheels, then you'll need additional length in both front, middle and rear. Or am I missing something?

[t walgamuth]

11" seems like a lot to fold back into the original body and look correct. The center of the body is curved. An 11" flat spot will be pretty conspicuous. I might suggest looking at taking 2 or 3 in the center and enlarging the flares at each wheel a similar amount.

[snakeeyes]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

11" seems like a lot to fold back into the original body and look correct. The center of the body is curved. An 11" flat spot will be pretty conspicuous. I might suggest looking at taking 2 or 3 in the center and enlarging the flares at each wheel a similar amount.

To that point, here’s a 289 Cobra from The Cobra Experience that was purpose-built for autocrossing years ago. It has enormous rear flares that I think look pretty cool.

[snakeeyes]

[t walgamuth]

That looks pretty nice!

[hauss]

Call *****in rides he may make a movie out of the build witch would probably up the value of the car.

[krausewich]

Post of their Facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/JBL.Goins.Motorsports

Good luck