Starting out with unkown bodyshell

albanycobra · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 05:14 AM

Hi All,
My name is Dave and I Live Albany West Australia.
I am into building kit cars and recently licensed a turbo charged
Locost 7. I bought a Cobra Body shell from a bloke in
Jerien Bay WA. Only problem is i dont know any thing of
it's origin. I am hoping someone can offer me some advise
on a few questions i have.

Will a windscreen from another kit brand Cobra fit my shell?
if so were is the best place to get one?

Anyone in WA building or have a Cobra i can have a squeez at?

I can post a pic of the body shell if anyone is interested in trying
to identify this janedo.

tpiini · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 05:30 AM

Boy, oh boy...

I'm seeing LOTS of pictures posted, measurements taken, and rampant internet guessing going on soon. In my limited experience, I'm guessing that unless your car has a "feature" that is unique to one brand only, you'll likely be able to narrow it down to one of several makers, at best. My thoughts are that pictures of the unfinished & unexposed surfaces will yield the best identification results. While most makers seem to get the lines pretty close, I'm thinking that they will all leave their own particular DNA standing out on the backsides & seams of their panels.

Good luck & let the games begin...

simon clemens · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 05:53 AM

Hi Dave, your best bet is to post some pictures so we can all help narrow it down for you.
I live in WA too, and I'm building my cobra in pinjarra... If you venture up that way at any stage just give me a p/message on this site, and you can have a SQUEEZ at mine.
Hey did you know that WA has its very own COBRA car club! if you are interested our club has lots of stuff happening... Including a long run to Albany every now and then!!!

Simmo

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 08:59 AM

I'm guessing it is not a kit available in the USA, which will limit the help to those down under. Pics? No chance without pics and every little peice of information you can dig up and post here.

All though "most" parts such as windscreens, etc. interchange from one make to another certainly SOME bodies accept ONLY parts from the original manufacturer.

Ernie

boxhead · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 01:43 PM

Show us some pics and I reckon someone in here will tell you which manufacturer made the body.

BMK · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 02:59 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

Have fun with your build. There are many different suppliers of parts throughout Australia.

The New South Wales Cobra Club has a very long list of suppliers from all across. Additionally, many advertise in 'Snaketales' the Cobra Club newsletter.

Additionally, small items can be purchased from the 'Forum" suppliers here, including Finishline.

I found the cheapest and the better quality windscreen was available from Doug Pearce on 03 9 7394222. Doug has five or six Cobras in his workshop at anyone time.

Well worth a visit if you are ever over this east side.

You could possible talk to G Force or RMC in Western Australia describing your body and chassis and they would soon claim or eliminate it. Failing that "post" some pictures.

Cheers

Bernie

750hp · #7 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 01:59 AM

OK - I'll be the first one in with a definite answer.

It's an RMC.

Rebel1 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 750hp

OK - I'll be the first one in with a definite answer.

It's an RMC.

Nope ...... It's a G-Force

Blue66 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 04:13 AM

It's prob a prototype from Shelby Of Australia

boxhead · #10 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 01:45 PM

My guess being a WA car was G-Force kit.

I didnt want to speckulate without seeing a picture.

David Hodgson · #11 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 02:17 PM

Hi Dave, chances are it is originally a W.A body which narrows the guess to 4 or possibly a DAX, though most of those were imported as kits with chassis. They had a raked, moulded in, dash panel and a wider flare on the trailing edge of the rear wheel arch

RMC will have a small radius edge, maybe 3/4", rolling 180 degrees, on the edges of the body leading into the cockpit front and rear, ie above dash board and rear cowl, no dash panel, usually a moulded bonnet scoop and a smaller flare on the rear wheel arch.

G-Force will have a larger radius maybe 1" or 1-1/4" on the cockpit leading edges, and a wider flare on the trailing edge of the rear wheel arch, best compared from rear, same as for DAX, but no moulded dash panel, and usually a moulded bonnet scoop.

GT Sports Cars (WA) was a guy who apparently worked for G-Force and went out on his own, didn't seem to last long, I haven't seen his body in the flesh but have some pics at home, bit hard to see detail though in full body shots.

Auto Styling were available early 80's, and a lot were lurking around unfinished or not even started, as generally no chassis were supplied as the manufacturer suggested you cut up a Crown or whatever you can get that is close then fit an MGB w/screen. I had a close call with these guys in '82, just didn't sound right to me. Not a good body but if your handy you'll make something of it. An Auto Styling car took out the show and shine at the very first CCC Nationals held at Mildura in '94. From memory the cockpit leading edges were just squared off into the cockpit area.

Best to post some pics, particularly of these areas.

albanycobra · #12 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the response.
I'll try and post some pics,

albanycobra · #13 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:05 PM

Here are some more

albanycobra · #14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:07 PM

Here is another

albanycobra · #15 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:10 PM

and one of the dash

albanycobra · #16 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:18 PM

Thanks guys,
Hey Simmo how do I go about getting in touch with the WA
Cobra club? Would love to come and have a look at your car
as i have to decide on how i am going to build my chassis.

boxhead · #17 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 05:19 PM

The mould line down the centre of the nose is unusual, also the moulded dash with glovebox.

I am sure someone in here will be able to tell you who made the kit.

David Hodgson · #18 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 06:20 PM

Dave
You could safely say by those pics its not a G-Force, Dax, RMC, Classic Glass (SA), Wooley/Evans, Robnell. I think the biggest clue is that dash and the cut off cowl edge, also note there's no raised moulding for the front indicator. The quality of the glassing from the pics seems reasonable. It appears to be on a chassis, if so what type and did it come with the shell?

albanycobra · #19 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 08:15 PM

Hi David
The body is sitting on a frame i made to support it.
It sat in a field for a year or two and sagged a little.

The wheels and motor are there so i could measure up
for a chassis which will have to pass the WA torsion test.

750hp · #20 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 750hp

OK - I'll be the first one in with a definite answer.

It's an RMC.

OK - I'll be the first one in to admit that I was wrong....... Les, got anything to add here?!?

David H - interesting observations. Thanks for posting !

Dave - I don't know the ins and outs of WA reg, but it sounds like you might want to seriously consider if you can justify the drama and expense of getting a custom chassis designed, constructed and tested. By the time you're done with it, you might find that a brand new body / chassis unit would set you back the same or less money. Better for resale, proven products available now, the new body won't have sagged out in the weather for years.

I bet you could sell the body to someone more interested in building a track car that doesn't have the worries of compliance and registration issues.

Good luck whichever way you go - exciting times ahead !