Body Swap Difficulty

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by RZee

I appreciate the quick responses.

Let me pose another hypothetical: Kirkham makes the aluminum alloy CSX bodies. Could you swap a glass CSX with a Kirkham aluminum alloy skin?

Why would you do that instead of just buying a Kirkham? It's probably not possible to put an alloy Kirkham body on a HiTech fiberglass body. You could probably swap a Kirkham body on to a CSX6000 generation alloy car which are essentially an off the line Kirkham with a CSX badge, but the earlier CSX alloy cars are just as non-interchangeable with anything as the others that have been discussed.

[RZee]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Why would you do that instead of just buying a Kirkham? Don't fool yourself into thinking you're going to save 100K. Sure, one might consider that if there was a wreck involved but to discard a Shelby fiberglass body to transplant a Kirkham alloy body you've got something that isn't worth as much as either was before. If you want a Shelby buy a Shelby, if you want a Kirkham alloy car buy that.

I hear you. It's just my nature to run down every rabbit hole prior to making a decision.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by RZee

I hear you. It's just my nature to run down every rabbit hole prior to making a decision.

The rabbit hole is not even a start here based on your questions above. Nothing is interchangeable the way you think it is. If you have the $200,000 it will take in parts and fabrication to swap things around the way you want them, just buy a used Kirkham and be done with it.

If you skills are better than just changing a lightbulb, and you can read directions, buy yourself a complete MK IV kit from Factory Five and start your build with something engineered for guys just like you.

Finally, sorry if I sound harsh above, my posts are not meant this way at all. They are cut and dry though, without sugar coating at all, and hopefully will make you stop, look, and listen before going any further.


Bill S.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Finally, sorry if I sound harsh above, my posts are not meant this way at all. They are cut and dry though, without sugar coating at all, and hopefully will make you stop, look, and listen before going any further.


Bill S.

This is how I feel about these kits that sit in people's garages and sell second, third and sometimes even 4 or more times. People come here and find that they are incomplete, require lots more skill than they think (it's not like putting together a plastic model) and forget about the amount of time and effort it takes. Plus all the tools and as most that have successfully done it, either have a lift, get one, or wish they had. If you start it when you get it and focus on it it will tie up your garage spot for a year and take you away from your family.

Then you get to start the year-long task of "sorting it out".

Buy a completed car. Start driving it and enjoy it.

On the other hand, if fabrication is what you want go for it, but but be forewarned that if it is your first the Cobra is probably the most difficult "some assembly required" kit to start with. Find a t-bucket. Anything but a Cobra will have a much higher chance of a successful first-time build. Learn the skills on something that is much more forgiving.

Good luck.

[Trubble]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Buy a completed car. Start driving it and enjoy it.

Tony said it! I bought a well sorted out EM - built by the factory on a special order from the original buyer. Don't regret it at all. For sure, I'm still working on some minor tweaks (oil thermostat, oval Cobra air filter, etc.) but the car has been drivable and handles great as she sits.

If I ever go looking again (Coupe maybe?) I'll take the same path.

Shop around. Be patient, and get an inspection by an experienced Cobraphile if possible.

Best regards,
Bill

[FredG]

If I were to attempt this project, which I wouldn't, the first thing I would try to obtain would be a dimensioned multi-view CAD drawing of the parts involved. Those would give you an idea of what you are in for. I hope you have experience/access with/to a torch, welder, plasma cutter, industrial bending brake, full size lift and a body dolly.

Here is a link to a site that shows the profiles of all the major brands. Check it out.

Compare car profiles

Fred

[patrickt]

You know, I bet a plasma cutter would work great on a fiberglass car.

[patrickt]

And "building the car with my son" won't work. He'll lose interest, the car won't get built, and you'll end up selling it all as a box of parts and partially finished pieces. If you want a Cobra, buy one. But before you do, study the hobby for a year or two.

[RZee]

Originally Posted by patrickt

And "building the car with my son" won't work. He'll lose interest, the car won't get built, and you'll end up selling it all as a box of parts and partially finished pieces. If you want a Cobra, buy one. But before you do, study the hobby for a year or two.

My son is 11 months old. He's entertained easily, and I'm not relying on him to do the heavy lifting.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RZee

My son is 11 months old. He's entertained easily, and I'm not relying on him to do the heavy lifting.

Then he'll burn himself on the side pipes. Just follow the hobby for a few years and, if you still have the bug then, revisit the idea.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

And "building the car with my son" won't work. He'll lose interest, the car won't get built, and you'll end up selling it all as a box of parts and partially finished pieces. If you want a Cobra, buy one. But before you do, study the hobby for a year or two.

What he says is so true. Father-son projects are rarely completed by either. Along with a fire sale on all the tools you bought that you would have used only once and never used anyway.