Cobra body for older donor frame?

arasb · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 06:04 AM

Hi all,
I'm interested in finding a Cobra-like body kit to fit onto an older (pre-emissions) donor frame with engine and drive train. It seems that the kits that I've been seeing all are for a new tube frame.
I'm doing this because I plan on driving my Cobra on the street and to have it be legal in Illinois, I need for it to pass the emissions control standards for when the frame was built. So if I use a new tube frame, I need to comply with 2003 standards. I'm really just looking to have a simple carburated engine to tinker with.

Any suggestions on where to look?

ArasB

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 07:40 AM

Who's frame do you have, as they are all engineered a bit differently. As for a "donor" frame, sounds to me like your trying to rebody an existing chassis (ie: taking the body of a corvette off the frame and swapping it for a Cobra like body)....if this is the correct assumption, then boy are you on the wrong track..............

Bill S.

mr bruce · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 07:58 AM

There once was a company that made a rebody for the Datsun Z car, called the Tomahawk. Cat by the name of Vettster (?) on this forum has a rebody for a C-3 Vette frame. Then there is the Cal-Ace, for the Slabside look. E-bay had a cobra body on a Chevy econobox chassis listed a while back.I'm sure there are others out there.

arasb · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 08:07 AM

mrmustang, I'm in the research stage, so I don't have a donor yet, but wanted to see what kind of donor would work best for my purpose first.
mr bruce, I will look into the suggestions.
Thanks.
ArasB

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 08:17 AM

I think your mistaking the whole "donor" concept. it is not the frame that is used on any of the current offerings, but the driveline and suspension pieces that are swapped over from "the donor" car to the chassis of the new kit. While mr Bruce is correct on his estimation of what was in gear for a donor like "rebody", not one of those companies is still in business.........Although, with that said, there is a company offering a cobra like nose and tail section for an MGB chassis....Just cannot find their information this morning.........Not even sure they are still in business...........

Bill S.

arasb · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 08:42 AM

Bill, when I called my local secretary of state to inquire about the registering of a Factory Five Racing kit, they said it is dependant on the fram of the car being driven. I explained that everything but the frame and body were being used from a 1990 mustang, but their reply was that it would be considered a 2003 model and have to comply with 2003 emissions. I have since changed my intensions and don't want to go the EFI route.
I understand that I was not using the correct terminology. What I'm looking for is a re-body kit for a pre-emission vehicle.
The MGB kit unfortunatley still looks like an MG and I'd rather not go the British route. I've owned a Midget Special 1500 and had a great time, but found myself chasing electrical and mechanical problems most of the time.

ArasB

mrmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 09:00 AM

You need to look closer at your own states registration and emmisions, as they might not title the car as anything but the year it is built, but they may offer a break on emissions based on the year of the engine used...........

Bill S.

arasb · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 09:12 AM

Ahh, I see. I will look into it in more detail and ask the rithg people in the system.

Thanks Bill,

ArasB

klayfish · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 10:22 AM

ArasB,
I think Bill is right. I'm far from the foremost expert on Cobras, but I don't think there is anyone around who sells a body of a Cobra you can just drop onto an existing car frame. All of the Cobras you find here have their own tube frame chassis. As Bill stated, the "donor" concept is using the mechanicals of the car, not it's chassis.

For SO many reasons, you'll be better off doing a Cobra with one of the many existing makers and their chassis. There are many owners in Illinois, in fact there is a Windy City Cobra Club here on this forum. I'm certain they can help you figure out how to properly register and inspect a properly built carb'd Cobra.

Best of luck

Steve

arasb · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2003, 09:29 PM

Thank you all very much. The Corvette Cobra thing looks interesting, but I'll have to weigh the pros and cons.

ArasB