Best 427 original rear wheel well shape ?

[FUNFER2]

I've been looking at different manufactures of 427 cobras for the best original shape. Most seem.....to be more rounded. I'm not sure how to explain the original shape ?
Original- It looks like, starting from the front bottom, that the fender starts to flare out wide, rounds out over the tire, then again, flares out even wider.
Replicas- the front flare looks smaller and not as wide, the wheel well looks bigger, and the rear flare, again, looks smaller.
Do any of you have side x side photo's of the rear fenders from different manufactures ? Which company's have the correct shape ? Searching several of the replica's built, most say that "their" cobra, is "identical", to the original. But, unless it's my bad eye sight, a lot of them have just a simple round arch. The biggest problem I have with the fenders is that some look like the openings are too large, thus showing a lot of the wheel well instead of tire. When I see the originals, with the large flares, the openings are full of tire. I realize,.... it depends on how you have the car sitting with the suspension and adjustable shocks ect.. If I happen to find any photo's that I can post, showing what I see, I'll do so.
What do you guy's think ?
Thanks

[redd]

kirkham has the most correct rearwheel arch of any manufacturer.

[FUNFER2]

How about in a glass body. (Since I can't afford the BEST)

[ENTDOC]

ERA has the best look in my opinion

[1985 CCX]

ERA is a great representaion however stret derived. CSX, Hi-Tech, and CCX are very S/C like. The S/C has less fender flare that the street car that ERA patterned, Peter's #3352 if my memory serves me correct. Peter Bayer molded the early CCX body from #3045. I have forgotten the # used by Hi-Tech and CSX continuation cars. Might be one in the same.....

Keep in mind all originals vary a bit! Many have undergone body restoration.

John can you help?

Jeff

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

How about in a glass body. (Since I can't afford the BEST)

A KMP roller is not much more than an SPF or ERA roller.

[richsd]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

A KMP roller is not much more than an SPF or ERA roller.

True, however if you want to paint your KMP which you probably do since you are going for an original look car then you will end up with a big and expensive project taking the car apart to paint it and then building it again. Kirkham will not provide you with a painted car. But yes, Kirkham is definitely the closest to original with ERA and Superformance pretty close in glass cars.

[FUNFER2]

I do like the ERA.
When I was at the Kirkham site, I clicked on the 427 & the options I wanted but, not all that I needed. It still came out to be apx. $ 70-75k. I think I would even buy a kirkham over a new Shelby. Still, in will always be my dream cobra. Anyway, back to the glass version's.

[FUNFER2]

I just red a article on who bought "High-Tech" but alas, don't remember who ?
Excaliber- So, yours is "street version" and not, the semi-comp car ? I'll have to look in your album.
Superformance looks good also, except the price & the use of struts in the suspension. I'm a bit.....of a purest in that manor anyway.

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by redd

kirkham has the most correct rearwheel arch of any manufacturer.

I'm trying to figure out how that works, since by their own addmission, their wheel wells (and the new Shelby's) are 2" wider than the originals.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by WarrenG

I'm trying to figure out how that works, since by their own addmission, their wheel wells (and the new Shelby's) are 2" wider than the originals.

I believe that "2-inch-wider" may relate to the width available for a wider rear tire, not a change to the body shape.

One of the few departures from the original Cobra frame design on the Kirkham is the movement of a vertical square tube on the frame, inside the rear wheel well, to accommodate a wider tire.

I know this has been moved, since it interferes with mounting S/C rear brake cooling ducts in the same way as the original...

I have modified the ducts...so it's OK.... and the tires have nice clearance with that tube moved inward.

[Excaliber]

This is a VERY good question, one of the first things I look for in an 'accurate' car but rarely talk about. There are SO many variables within the industry and it's so easy to 'step on someones toes' discussing it.

I was recently looking at an older glass Hi Tech, a model well known for it's accuracy. BUT, the bottom of the rear fender flairs just aint 'right'! Is it possible that Hi Techs vary on fender flair from one year/model to the next?

My ERA is the 'street' version body (dash, fender flairs and guage placement different from an SC) but mine is done up in SC style, typical of MANY ERA's. The ERA SC body has slightly different flaring on the top part of the rear fenders. So even with ERA you have to be careful when contemplating the look you want.

For myself, I considered many variables before deciding my current ERA was the right car for me, and that included price as well as fender flairing. I would prefer the SC style ERA flairs but you do the best you can within your budget.

[Excaliber]

I suspect if you looked at the manufacturers 'numbers' the VAST majority of ERA's are ordered with the basic 'street' body with every intention of then building an SC style car. Seems to me the actual SC body from ERA cost more than the 'street' version body, perhaps that is a factor. Very few ERA's actually end up being built as true 'street' body style cars.

The differences are subtle, but become clearer when you know what to look for. SC will have the tach where the speedo is on street cars. No glove box on SC and different fender flairs. Worht the extra cost? Tough call. I swapped out the location of my tach and speedo to get a more accurate dash layout myself, not an easy thing to do by the way.

Bear in mind that SPF's parent company is "High Tech" (I think thats how it's spelled) and is NOT affliated with the OLD or NEW "Hi Tech" replicas. Two (three?) separate companies (like this aint confusing enough all ready).

[FUNFER2]

Ya, me too. Bummer. lol

[FUNFER2]

Great idea. I wondered if they would work on price. Out of curiosity,
I'm on the site now adding what perks I want and apx. price.
They have again changed how to add/choose and price your car. Pretty nice so far.

[FUNFER2]

So far, without many extra items and no drive train, $ 58.255. I'll call the sometime.
What fantastic engineering with the frame and suspension. And how can you beat that body. The entire car is a work of art !

[Chaplin]

IMO, ERA has the best shaped rear fenders of any car made, whether glass or aluminum. Unique and SPFs are a totally different shape than ERA. And while it is true that most people order the "street" rear fenders, they do offer "competition" flares as an option.






Here's another image courtesy of ERA's website comparing the rear fenders of various cars



edit-
I can't get the pics to display here, but the pictures can be found at

http://www.erareplicas.com/427/blue.htm
http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

[FUNFER2]

That's exactly what I needed, a compairison from several company's. Thanks !
The West Coast sure looks strange.
The North American Fiberglass and B & B has too large of an opening.
Again, the ERA looks very nice !

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by Chaplin

http://www.erareplicas.com/427/blue.htm

I think they got their lefts and rights confused .

[FUNFER2]

LOL !!!
Well, now you've done it Sal !
I'm dreaming of a Kirkham..........AGAIN !
Thanks a lot !!!