Glen, 2 questions....

1. Has the body been 3D scanned for symmetry?

2. Are you paying for the R&D on this project because if you are its sooooo your shout at the bar! Well done.

Looks amazing. I'd love a 289 Comp Car.

Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks. I’m very happy with the way the body has shaped up in preparation for creating those splash moulds.

1. Has the body been scanned? I don’t know about being scanned, but if you look at post #26, you’ll see that I reported that ”AP2289's body has been fitted onto a chassis to check the body accuracy to AP's set of drawings. The body has come up so close that any differences that are actually measurable are within millimetres of the drawings. Even though the 427 and 289 shapes look quite different in detail, the basics of both are identical....so AP dropped a 427 bonnet and boot onto the FIA body, and they fitted perfectly”
Also, if you go back to post #19, you can see how good the body on John Olsen’s Bruce-bodied 289 roadster looks.

2. Am I paying…? Let’s just say that we (AP and I) are both benefitting from this project ;)

Cheers,
Glen

Yes I did read those. I've been following with interest.

I only raised the 1st question as I know with my Daytona they computer scanned and wind tested it at Melbourne Uni and we not only know its relative downforce and airo etc but also % to symmetry accuracy. I thought a good idea with the body being newbie. It'd be a great boast over other ill-fitting bodies that we all have had to deal with in years past.

And regarding question No:2.................. I have no doubt!

Good luck with the project and keep the pics coming.

Matt

Update from Craig yesterday....

Bodywork - AP should finish the last of the main body moulding (the splash negative) this week. Front half is already complete; rear is nearly there.
They are also working on a plug for the correct FIA bonnet scoop.
AP’s 289FIA will be one of the most accurate FIA replicas, particularly in the areas of the front guard extensions and the oil cooler scoop.

Chassis assembly will start soon too. Fabrication of the under body exhaust should be on the go shortly; Craig is planning to push the FIA project along as quickly as possible.

I'll post update pictures as soon as I have them :)

Cheers,
Glen

Time for an update of what's happening on AP2289....

Craig's boys have been working at finishing the splash moulds so that my 289FIA body shape can be replicated.

Now that that process is largely complete, attention can return to progressing further AP2289.
Here's the rear section of the body with carbon/kevlar stiffening ribs (same as what is done on the 427 bodies) and also the complete underside of the body is coated with a carbon/kevlar layer.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...nforcing_1.jpg


...and....

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...nforcing_9.jpg


Chassis trial buildup has also started. The front suspension is being trial-fitted to the monocoque.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ssis_jig_4.jpg


Fabrication of the exhaust primaries and the under-car exhaust is underway as well.

Cheers,
Glen

Oops, double post

Glen,

The body looks very stout indeed, no worries of damaging the fiberglass should a rock get kicked up try to punch it’s way through to the other side … nor any likelihood of stress cracks with all of the reinforcements made to the body.

For the suspension, are there any differences between the 289 setup versus what PACE builds for their 427 cars?

Great progress!

- Tim

Hi Tim,
Yes with that carbon/kevlar layer on the underside, it should be well protected from stone hits.
As far as I know, the suspension is the same as the AP427. The FIA wheels are the same widths as the 427 Halibrand-type wheels, and the suspension is quite adjustable for track (for purposes of filling the guards/fenders 'correctly'). I'm using slightly different width rear tyres than normal - they are 275/60x15 (same as on Allen's green ERA FIA) so the track adjustability will be handy.

Cheers,
Glen

Latest pictures of my 289FIA being built by Absolute Pace....

The chassis is having a basic fitout of suspension components:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ront_susp2.jpg



Reason for this initial fitout is that they can now carry out a trial fit of the FIA body:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...side_left4.jpg


This allows the 'Pacemakers' to check and modify the mounting points and pads on the monocoque and also the body underside.
Also, initial trimming of the flares can be done with wheels and tyres as extra reference points.


What's next? Body and front suspension will be removed and the engine bay will be painted black.


Cheers,
Glen

edit: and no, these are not the correct wheels

Cool, good progress. Who do you pay at Pace for all the updates? i can barely get an email answered....lol.

Looking good Glen! :)
I'm getting more than just a little excited for you.

Hey mate....charm and good looks :D gets you there. In my case, I have neither, so I think Craig took pity on me ;) ....and he wanted to do an FIA replica anyway

Cheers,
Glen

Settle, Mr. D.

....but thanks, I'm a little excited too. When I think back, it's been almost five years since I plonked down a deposit stateside, then got realistic and looked locally and started talking about a Comp 289 with Craig, and then moved into FIA territory.

Cheers,
Glen

Glen forgot to mention that he fly's up in the Lear jet every couple of weeks to keep an eye on things and check on progress. ;)

John, Dave just has to ask and I'll divert the Lear from ADL to Albany to pick him up on the weekly trip up to the Costa d'Oro :D

Some more information about how the body is fitted correctly onto the chassis....

Here's the fitment jig that's used to lower the body on to the chassis when the chassis is mounted to the jig
The chassis is secured in place …and the body (attached to the upper part of the jig) is lowered on to it.
The timber frame is the exact shape of the body. With the FIA, they had to use the current 427 upper frame/jig, but then construct a “silhouette” to match the exact shape of the FIA body. It then holds the body down in the exactly correct position on the chassis.
The jig ensures that the body is fitted to the chassis without any twisting, drooping, etc. It guarantees that the correct body shape and location is maintained.

Craig's words "This is the only way we can guarantee it, when you look closely at a lot of Cobra replicas ......... you can see where the body has been fitted and has been accidentally twisted or the front/rear is drooping more than it should as it was not supported during body fitment. You even see bodies mounted on angles to chassis both laterally and vertically."

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d..._body_left.jpg


http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...y_right_31.jpg



Then the locating tabs are bonded to the body. That way, when the body comes off for the chassis build and then needs to go back onto the chassis, it will go back exactly in the correct position, because of all of the locating tabs that were bonded there while the frame was on the fitment jig.

Craig and Warren - thanks for the info and pictures. Please add or correct as necessary ;)

Cheers,
Glen

Yeah I'll be in that......I'll even bring a sixa of Corona.....

Forgot to mention....note that the guards/fenders are in the process of being trimmed to the correct shape, with CSX2345 as the 'master'

Cheers Dave, and I'll bring a bottle of bubbly - maybe we can christen the Alumina as well?

Kick open to the plane door as we fly over Dubbo....lol.