The question was asked about heat distortion in fiberglas bodies. My experience is as follows.
Everyone knows that Contemporary was one of the best in it's day. Even Contemporary had some interesting problems with the body though.
In their case, the tops of the front fenders developed interesting little ripples when they got hot in the sun or even just a lot of engine heat.
The rear quarters also developed waves and I learned from my painter whose cars regularly win at Pebble Beach, that it wasn't the glass itself, it was the way the body was built. Improper joints and bracing which caused "stress risers".
These imperfections were taken out of my car at considerable expense and I did not get any of those distortions. What I did get, was the hood, even with it's integrated steel tube frame, developed a twist. This twist caused it not to seat perfectly when latched down. I know this to be heat related as it occurred after a day of very hot and heavy track time on a 90 degree day. Up until that time, it fit perfectly.
Bottom line is that fiberglass will move around and nothing can really be done to prevent it. The better the body is built, the less distortion will occur, but it will occur.
As to buying a Cobra, I'd first ask do you want a pretend car that resembles a Cobra from 50 feet away or one that takes a real expert to tell it from an original?
Any old kit will do if it is the former. If you want it spot on, get a Kirkham and tell them you want all gennie original type parts....right down to the Serck tag on the radiator and the Beclawat emblem on the windshield frame. And then tell them that you want an original rear diff with outboard brakes. Getting really serious, they will even furnish original Girling brakes!
Yes, Kirkham has upgraded the brakes and I applaud them for their effort. However, if I were buying one....and I may, it will be as close to an original as it can be made......lousy brakes and all!
BTW, the Girlings work fine once you get them hot.
A last note for our young Cobra enthusiast:
Jamin, sometimes the "racer types" can get kind of arrogant and standoffish and so can the builders of specialty cars. In more than 40 years of playing with cars, I've never figured it out, but I've developed a strategy that works well for me, when I encounter it......just walk away, they're too stupid to know any better.
The good ones like Kirkham, Image, ERA, etc. all know better and will treat even the most casual inquiry as though you were ready to write a check.
And last Jamin, don't let your age bother you as you nose around. When I was in highschool, one of the guy's dad bought him a brand new Jag XKE. The boy was 18 and the car cost $5,800 when a new 1964 Mustang was well under $3,000 and a 'Vette sold for $4,500. In today's money, that lad's XKE price tag would buy you a Kirkham finished and ready to drive.
A smart businessman won't let your age get in the way. Have fun dreaming and planning. That's what really cool cars are all about.
Al
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