Contemporary Cobra body

[Eljaro]

I have had an accident with my Contemporary and the body definitely need to be replaced. I am looking for Contemporary body now. I also wish to know which other bodies will fit the Contemporary frame with little modifications.
Any suggetions?

[Brooklyn-427]

Because your distance from any specific manufacturer is there any Lotus or TVR specialists maybe a boat builder/repairer nearer to you? otherwise figure $6k for body plus shipping/import plus fitting plus paint?? another alternative might be to salvage your car out save any special parts or features it may have and look to a new build - ERA kit $22k or importing another car several Contemporary on the open market at the moment $45k+and transferring your engine trans rear end etc .Food for thought

[1985 CCX]

I would try ERA, would look great .......
Or;
Have Mike Kraus whip up frame supports then go alloy.......

[rlrileysr]

In my mishmash of a kit, I believe I have a Midstate's body that fits my contemporary frame. Midstates sold out to Shell valley (Shell Valley Classic Wheels, Inc. ). If you contact them they should be able to confirm the match. Also call ERA, the Peter who answers the phone a lot is Peter Beyer who owned Contemporary; he should also be a good source for a source of a replacement body.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by rlrileysr

I Also call ERA, the Peter who answers the phone a lot is Peter Beyer who owned Contemporary; he should also be a good source for a source of a replacement body.

The Peter at ERA is Portante (sp)

Peter Bayer who owned Contemporary, is now owner of Nissonger Instruments (they rebuild and sell Smith Gauges) .


There is a nice interview of Peter HERE on Club Cobra, just in case you are interested.


Although, I doubt that Peter will be of any assistance, as he sold out to Burtis, who went belly up. Factory Five Racing bought the jigs and molds for the Contemporary 427SC when Burtis went bankrupt, they might be willing to make you a replacement if the price is right.



Bill S.

[1985 CCX]

FFR has refused in the past......

Who did that interview?

[Eljaro]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn-427

Because your distance from any specific manufacturer is there any Lotus or TVR specialists maybe a boat builder/repairer nearer to you? otherwise figure $6k for body plus shipping/import plus fitting plus paint??

Well here in Palma de Mallorca we have a very important boat refitting industry. many Super and Megayachts come to be repaired and refitted, so there is quite many people (mostly specialists from UK) who can do that. Had not thought of that but will look into it.
The rear wheel arch right behind the passenger door is partially ripped off and I do not know if that can be fixed properly.
As for the frame I have been able to contact Tom, the son of now defunct George Petrus who will be able to supply a NOS watts linkage spindle housing and make a set of the aluminum A-arms which were fitted to my car.
The rest is pretty much only straightening and welding, allthough I do not see much damage to the frame.
Will have to remove the body no matter what to do all the frame fixing, so once that is done I can asses much better what can be done. Maybe a new body is not necessary.

[John McMahon]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

The Peter at ERA is Portante (sp)

Although, I doubt that Peter will be of any assistance, as he sold out to Burtis, who went belly up. Factory Five Racing bought the jigs and molds for the Contemporary 427SC when Burtis went bankrupt, they might be willing to make you a replacement if the price is right.

Bill S.

Bill,

Those molds had a lot of miles on them already when FFR snapped them up from Burtis.....I believe they were ready for some freshening up back then and are probably worthless by now....

[rlrileysr]

How did you contact Tom, the son of now defunct George Petrus? I have a set of those arms on my car. Their website seems to be dormant.

[legenmetals]

My buddy Mike called me up last week and wanted to know if I was still interested in a couple of rear axle assembly's for my Contemporary cars based on George's old blueprints and I said put me down for two.

It seems that George's son met Mike and they have been talking about making a run of those custom Jag. Contemporary based rear ends.

I can confirm that all that is left in inventory are two lower billet arms that are damaged some upright blanks that haven't been machined and his display half shaft assy..

Mike and I will be at El Mirage this Sunday getting a pre inspection on our Bellytanker and I will discuss this potential project with him.

In the mean time I would like some feed back on how many people would be interested in buying complete assembly's or parts for George's design.

I will then forward any info to Mike and he can discuss any further plans with George's son.

[joyridin']

I am interested in some parts especially if they would interchange with stock items. The lower control arms would be great.

[Eljaro]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

I am interested in some parts especially if they would interchange with stock items. The lower control arms would be great.

Tom Petrus said he needs an minimum order of four sets to make a production run feasible. So you are welcome to order a set, which will make those a-arms available to some of us. He has now 2 orders, yours and one more and a-arms can be produced. Contact info@cobraracing.com

[joyridin']

Ok. I sent an email there a long time ago and received no reply. I had no idea what the issue was until I read this thread. How much are they out of curiosity?

[NRP/MN]

Duplicate post

[1985 CCX]

Avoid the previous post...........

[GVS]

Originally Posted by Eljaro

I have had an accident with my Contemporary and the body definitely need to be replaced. I am looking for Contemporary body now. I also wish to know which other bodies will fit the Contemporary frame with little modifications.
Any suggetions?

Last year, I looked at a wrecked Contemporary where the chassis looked straight but body was too far gone to save (impact at the base of the drivers' side windshield pillar). I spoke to Dana from Shell Valley, and he told me their body will bolt to a CCX chassis, but needs modification on the trunk floor. This seemed to be a good option. I am told their bodies are high-quality. However, I decided to pass on this project due to lack of time to complete it.

Best of luck with your repair.