Aluminium Bodied Contempoary

[krausewich]

Thank you for the update Obsessive.

What... No 30 days of silence MM??

The fiberglass that you see is the right side wall of the trunk dividing the trunk space from the wheel well as Contemporary's would have been built... someone as self-renowned that has owned, built, rebuilt, bought, sold, and/or brokered as many cars understands basic Cobra anatomy.

Not to stir the pot, but for the Contemporary's that I have seen, They have all had 3" radiused tubular rear framework w/watts linkage (maybe optional). This one from what I can make out in the photo seems to have a gusseted boxed tubing. Did they evolve over the years or could this be a different mfg. or a custom build that was sold as a Contemporary? May be worth running by Peter to see if it is one of his.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by krausewich

Thank you for the update Obsessive.

What... No 30 days of silence MM??

The fiberglass that you see is the right side wall of the trunk dividing the trunk space from the wheel well as Contemporary's would have been built... someone as self-renowned that has owned, built, rebuilt, bought, sold, and/or brokered as many cars understands basic Cobra anatomy.

Not to stir the pot, but for the Contemporary's that I have seen, They have all had 3" radiused tubular rear framework w/watts linkage (maybe optional). This one from what I can make out in the photo seems to have a gusseted boxed tubing. Did they evolve over the years or could this be a different mfg. or a custom build that was sold as a Contemporary? May be worth running by Peter to see if it is one of his.

There are gracious winners, then you, yet you and I never had a bet, Mike and I did, and I paid off with 2 minutes of losing today, which Mike can confirm as the gracious winner he is. He knows, just as I do, that it was a fun bet between two people with similar interests, no ego, no attitude, just good clean fun.

Not all Contemporary Cobras had the WATTS link rear, Don Borders loved them and wanted all of the cars he built by Contemporary to have them.

As for the fiberglass matting, the jury is still out on what is being shown in the picture......


Bill S.

[krausewich]

Ideal time to place a bet

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

There are gracious winners, then you, yet you and I never had a bet, Mike and I did, and I paid off with 2 minutes of losing today, which Mike can confirm as the gracious winner he is. He knows, just as I do, that it was a fun bet between two people with similar interests, no ego, no attitude, just good clean fun.

Not all Contemporary Cobras had the WATTS link rear, Don Borders loved them and wanted all of the cars he built by Contemporary to have them.

As for the fiberglass matting, the jury is still out on what is being shown in the picture......


Bill S.

Alright, alright... before you guys go betting more money, etc., the fiberglass that you can see to the right of that picture is part of the fiberglass tub for the trunk. The photo is taken looking into the right side of the trunk, in the direction of the passenger seat. Above is the aluminum body, straight ahead is an aluminum panel that separates the trunk from the cockpit and to the right is the right side of fiberglass trunk tub.

Thanks again for all the interest guys. I tend to agree with the general consensus on value, once sorted. Frankly, I was thinking somewhere in the $70-80K range. I'm pretty sure it would take every bit of that amount to build this car today. However, this car needs to be sorted before it can reach that value.

Should be interesting.

MB

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

Alright, alright... before you guys go betting more money, etc., the fiberglass that you can see to the right of that picture is part of the fiberglass tub for the trunk. The photo is taken looking into the right side of the trunk, in the direction of the passenger seat. Above is the aluminum body, straight ahead is an aluminum panel that separates the trunk from the cockpit and to the right is the right side of fiberglass trunk tub.

Thanks again for all the interest guys. I tend to agree with the general consensus on value, once sorted. Frankly, I was thinking somewhere in the $70-80K range. I'm pretty sure it would take every bit of that amount to build this car today. However, this car needs to be sorted before it can reach that value.

Should be interesting.

MB

Mike,

Thanks again for the further details, yes, that does make perfect sense as to the matting and it's raw condition.

Sorting could be as simple as some new fluids and seals, or could be a little more in depth, such as brake and clutch lines, a complete flushing on the fluids , checking for electrical shorts or breaks, to a full body off chassis tear down. The first question would be a simple one, how long as the car remained dormant, and when was the last time it had a state safety inspection?

Bill S

[mikeinatlanta]

As if it should matter to anyone here. Yes, Bill paid just as I would have. I have a great deal of respect for Bill's knowledge and saw just enough that I thought we could have some fun with it. I thought my odds were ok but no better than 50/50.

One thing is for sure: If I had a question about these cars I know who I would ask and it isn't me. IMO, a few here should shelve the ego and recognize Bill's contributions to the general knowledge base of this site.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Mike,

Thanks again for the further details, yes, that does make perfect sense as to the matting and it's raw condition.

Sorting could be as simple as some new fluids and seals, or could be a little more in depth, such as brake and clutch lines, a complete flushing on the fluids , checking for electrical shorts or breaks, to a full body off chassis tear down. The first question would be a simple one, how long as the car remained dormant, and when was the last time it had a state safety inspection?

Bill S

The car was driven a about a year ago and the motor was started last week. In California, state safety inspections are not required, only smog certifications every two years. In the case of this car, it's titled as a 1965 Cobra so no smog is ever required here.

By sorting out, I was referencing the changes I listed within my earlier posting from this morning along with changing fluids and detailing the car. There are likely a couple surprises here and there, but the motor, transmission, rear end and brakes appear to be trouble free. I do not know how much attention the original owner gave to brake bias, fuel sending unit calibration, etc. so I expect the new owner will need to focus some attention on these items. Easy stuff.

[FatBoy]

This is a very interesting car and it's been fun watching the speculation and banter.
If it were mine, I'd be tempted to consider installing Nick Acton's (or similar) fuel tank and then panel out the trunk to replicate an S/C.
This was my Contemporary that I panelled the trunk on and made up a "fake" lower bracket for the roll-bar.



Paul

[Buzz]

Thanks for the intel, Obsessive. Wow - that is really interesting! I would love to know more about the body and how it came to be.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by mikeinatlanta

IMO, a few here should shelve the ego and recognize Bill's contributions to the general knowledge base of this site.

Agreed. Based upon what I've seen here in the last 3 years I would place Bill's knowledge in the upper echelon. Some others? Uh, not so much.

On a related note, there seems to be a certain segment who seem to want to treat CC like Facebook and other social media. That mentality seems to hold the view they can take 'shots' at people for their own amusement and they're not really here to contribute anything. I believe the applicable term is 'troll'.

My view? I'm certainly pleased CC gives me to the ability to 'block' people.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

The car was driven a about a year ago and the motor was started last week. In California, state safety inspections are not required, only smog certifications every two years. In the case of this car, it's titled as a 1965 Cobra so no smog is ever required here.

Yes, unless CA does actually catch up to the fact that this Contemporary is indeed an SPCNS or replica and not an actual car manufactured in 1965. Any CA buyer would be smart to take the car through the SB100/SPCNS process and receive a proper emissions exemption.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mikeinatlanta

Not sure why all the discussion, I DID declare the body alloy.

Do I get some credit or at least some of your winnings, since I did declare you a ClubCobra expert.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Now the real fun begins, who in 1997/1998 was panel beating custom aluminum bodies that follow the lines of the Contemporary and not the conventional Kirkham 427 body style?


At the moment, I'm stumped on that one


Bill S

^^^This. I'd interested in knowing who produced this body.

And I agree with the OP about the $70,000-$80,000 value. I originally said $15,000-$20,000 over a nice Contemporary, once sorted.

[1985 CCX]

Originally Posted by FatBoy

This is a very interesting car and it's been fun watching the speculation and banter.
If it were mine, I'd be tempted to consider installing Nick Acton's (or similar) fuel tank and then panel out the trunk to replicate an S/C.
This was my Contemporary that I panelled the trunk on and made up a "fake" lower bracket for the roll-bar.



Paul

I'd be tempted to consider installing Nick Acton's Not in a million years......

Paul your car was a great one.
BTW this car has sold!

[mikeinatlanta]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Do I get some credit or at least some of your winnings, since I did declare you a ClubCobra expert.

Two pieces of pizza still in the fridge. You are welcome to them.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mikeinatlanta

Two pieces of pizza still in the fridge. You are welcome to them.

Bread and cheese, no bueno.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

I'd be tempted to consider installing Nick Acton's Not in a million years......

Paul your car was a great one.
BTW this car has sold!

Wait, what?

[1985 CCX]

Response to Paul's reference, NOT IN A MILLION YEARS

[Obsessive]

Sold! Money wired and loaded on a car hauler this morning.

Before the inevitable questions about the sales price begin, I have to let you all know that I promised the buyer and seller that I would keep this confidential. I will say, however, that the interest was pretty intense. While you guys were beating on each other or helping me figure out what this was, interested buyers began to hit me up with private messages.

I thank you all for your feedback, historical knowledge of the hobby and general interest in the situation. It should interest you all to know that the seller completely melted when she realized how fast her late husband's former passion was gone and that the selling of his car was no longer an item on her widow "To Do List". It was odd to think of my wife being in her shoes one day, God willing. Bitter sweet, for sure.

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Response to Paul's reference, NOT IN A MILLION YEARS

I did expect a response to that comment, having seen some of the previous discussions on the subject, which was why I added "or similar".

Thank you for the other comment and I'm pleased to hear that this car has now sold.

Paul