Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 Ford Racing Crate w/ TREMEC TKO 600
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WCC Chassis #3299. Stop the Bidding! Auction Ended by Seller!
2013
The second night into the eBay listing I broke the news to the extended family that I put the Cobra project up for auction. That day was a complete embarrassment because I have never quit anything. The family was shocked and couldn't believe it. They knew the blood sweat and cursing I had already invested was profound on the project. That night at dinner we found a way forward that would allow me to continue the project. I’ll leave it that. Enough said. I love my family!
2014
In the Spring with my project having a new start again I finished up a few odds and ends and found a body shop that specialized in Corvettes. They had experience restoring and customizing Vettes of all Years. Ive seen their craftsmanship on cars near me. Why was that important? I wanted a very experienced fiberglass man and painter. While my Cobra was there they even repowered a 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt Clone. That was cool to see! Same motor as by Cobra. 385 Series big block. Of course they were all Vette guys and they swore they would never tackle a Thunderbolt project ever again. One and done! They were happy to see the Thunderbolt Clone leave their shop
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"...some assembly required, ages 8 and up...... well that took longer than expected......
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 Ford Racing Crate w/ TREMEC TKO 600
Posts: 732
Not Ranked
WCC Chassis #3299. Off to the Body Shop!
Summer 2014
It took a while to agree a start date with the body shop because they were slammed with Vette work. I was patient. I waited this long, whats another few months? In July 2014 I rolled the Cobra out to the street with the body in place but not yet fastened with rivets permanently.
Called AAA and they took it to the body shop. Now the progress really begins! The body man would be the only other person that worked on my car. Up to this point I was the only wrench. Notice the chalk drawing on the driveway. I guess earlier in that day it was playdate at my house
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"...some assembly required, ages 8 and up...... well that took longer than expected......
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 Ford Racing Crate w/ TREMEC TKO 600
Posts: 732
Not Ranked
WCC Chassis #3299. Start the Sanders!
September 2014
Here are pics from the first week. Let the fabrication begin! I dropped the car off in July and the guys didnt start on it until Sept. imagine a sought after bodyshop running behind plan!
Remember my eBay purchased WCC kit included a very rough Vern special WCC hardtop. The word rough is quite kind! But I had one. The pictures here of the hard top are after a week of cutting and glassing to get the fit right to the body. Way more labor than I planned for.
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"...some assembly required, ages 8 and up...... well that took longer than expected......
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 Ford Racing Crate w/ TREMEC TKO 600
Posts: 732
Not Ranked
WCC Chassis #3299. Body Work In Progress + Mods
Oct-Nov 2014
Changes! Redesign topics. So as with most projects, there is scope creep. I wanted to add a few safety features for seatbelt harness mounting. I selected Schroth Racing 4 point harness out of Germany because they had undergone DOT testing their belts for selling in the USA many years ago. They are well engineered and good quality. Seat belts are pretty important. Today watching the 12 hours of Sebring the LMP class prototypes were also using Schroth belts. I trust them. I had the body shop weld up a harness bar that mounts in the trunk in place of where the traditional WCC fuel tank is fitted. My body has a fuel filler in the rear fender that I like which meant the fuel tank is in the floor of the trunk. We welded in a fuel tank support bar into the frame to support the fuel tank weight beneath the fiberglass floor. Here is a pic of the assembled PE plastic tank and my pressure test on the bench to check for leaks before installing. Note the Schwin bike pump used to pressurize the tank a few psi. I used these fuel compatible sealing washers shown for every fastener on the fuel tank you must use shoulder bolts to ensure they seal correctly. Also note the GM Group 78 battery with vent tube assembly from a GM car that used trunk mounted battery. Keeping the acid vapor outside! Oem look!
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"...some assembly required, ages 8 and up...... well that took longer than expected......
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 Ford Racing Crate w/ TREMEC TKO 600
Posts: 732
Not Ranked
WCC Chassis #3299. The Dash Build- Machining
While the body was being taken care of at JBL Automotove in Dulles, VA, I was busy building the custom dash. I started off with a billet sheet of aluminum. I was lucky to have machinist friends help me out in creating the CAD/CAM files for the dash. We used a multi axis Haas CNC machining center to build some magic. Here are the pics of how he did it
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WCC Chassis #3299. Stop the Bidding! Auction Ended by Seller!
I used these fuel compatible sealing washers shown for every fastener on the fuel tank you must use shoulder bolts to ensure they seal correctly. Also note the GM Group 78 battery with vent tube assembly from a GM car that used trunk mounted battery. Keeping the acid vapor outside! Oem look!
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