Referred to Hurricane by a friend

[120mm]

Aaand, I will be heading back to the land of round doorknobs and will be checking out Hurricane sometime near the end of January. I'm guessing a test drive won't happen, but I look forward to seeing what they do and how they do it.

Spousal approval has happened, and after 2017, which I've been invited to spend in Afghanistan, I will be able to build the thing.

[Buzz]

Hurricane definitely produces a nice replica that's a real bang for the buck. Dean Lampe's early build was a real looker - right up there with some of the sexiest 'glass-bodied cars posted on this site.

As far as original appearance goes, I'm also not a huge fan of the liberties taken by some manufacturers who, to me, stylize their body shapes in ways that detract from the purposeful functionality that forms the essence of the original Cobra's enduring beauty.

I'm sure that some have been put off by my commentary on occasion, but my opinion is only my own and I don't place it above that of anyone else, much less feel the need to denigrate and insult an entire community of generally helpful and capable enthusiasts whose only "crime" is that they enjoy the same car that I do in a slightly different way.

Having a body splashed from an original helps, but it isn't a guarantee of exact original appearance of the final product, as the orientation and fitment of the new body pieces over a purpose-built frame and suspension, as well as the ride height and placement of wheels within fender wells all have a cumulative effect.

Hurricanes are close and get many things right, but there is a distinctive arch in the body from the front of the rear fender down to the tip of the nose that makes them very recognizable, especially when viewed from the side. This doesn't greatly detract from the looks, but it is a characteristic of the brand.

Anyway - body shape is one of my favorite topics of discussion, and I do like Hurricanes so this is my 2 cents worth and nothing more.

As you were...

[120mm]

You say it better than I do, that is for sure.

Thanks!

[Bill D]

That's my next car. Absolutely

[120mm]

So... you are an outlier?

Good to meet you, then.

The funny thing about stereotypes is that they are mostly accurate. And if they don't apply to you, why choose to put on the shoe if it doesn't fit? How can someone stereotype someone else, if they don't fit the stereotype?

Cars tend to reflect, accurately, their owners. Emphasis on "tend". That means not all, but most.

My best friend drives an "M" BMW. She doesn't fit the BMW "image" at all, but that doesn't mean BMWs don't attract a certain "type" of owner.

BTW, I don't Crossfit any more because I have structural problems which makes it problematic. Doesn't stop me from being a good old gym rat, though.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 120mm

So... you are an outlier?

Good to meet you, then.

The funny thing about stereotypes is that they are mostly accurate. And if they don't apply to you, why choose to put on the shoe if it doesn't fit? How can someone stereotype someone else, if they don't fit the stereotype?

Cars tend to reflect, accurately, their owners. Emphasis on "tend". That means not all, but most.

My best friend drives an "M" BMW. She doesn't fit the BMW "image" at all, but that doesn't mean BMWs don't attract a certain "type" of owner.

BTW, I don't Crossfit any more because I have structural problems which makes it problematic. Doesn't stop me from being a good old gym rat, though.

Ya, "outlier," that's a nice way putting it. My friends and family typically use more unsavory terms to describe me.

Isn't there an old joke about BMW's and porcupines?

That's what great about CrossFit, "we" can scale a program for anyone. I've even seen "old as dirt" and "big gut" kinda folks in the Box. However, it always comes down to one word. Commitment.

Back to Hurricane. Good looking Cobra. Great choice from what I've seen and heard. But it's "a road less-traveled" for some unknown (to me) reason. Make sure you're able to drive a few Cobras. You wouldn't be the first to buy one and then quickly sell it because it wasn't the car you thought it would be. Most people skip this step and just buy the Z06 Corvette.

[120mm]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Ya, "outlier," that's a nice way putting it. My friends and family typically use more unsavory terms to describe me.

Isn't there an old joke about BMW's and porcupines?

We'd get along, then.

That's what great about CrossFit, "we" can scale a program for anyone. I've even seen "old as dirt" and "big gut" kinda folks in the Box. However, it always comes down to one word. Commitment.

Both my best friends are Crossfit chicks. One is a serious Crossfitter and the other is married to an owner. I did it for a couple years, discovered I had two broken vertebrate and decided my "commitment" didn't involve dying/being quadded out, because 70% of the exercises involve my spondylosis. I cannot even safely use a rowing machine. I can get nearly as much juice for the squeeze through exercises that do not, so cost/benefit went to traditional weight training. That, and I'm pretty anti-social normally, and the cheering and encouragement and attention really turns me off. But for people without potential spinal issues, Crossfit is the heat.

Back to Hurricane. Good looking Cobra. Great choice from what I've seen and heard. But it's "a road less-traveled" for some unknown (to me) reason. Make sure you're able to drive a few Cobras. You wouldn't be the first to buy one and then quickly sell it because it wasn't the car you thought it would be. Most people skip this step and just buy the Z06 Corvette.

Hurricane doesn't do anywhere near as much self-promotion as Factory Five, ERA and it isn't at the price point level as Superformance, plus it transferred ownership not that long ago, plus they had an intermediate owner who didn't make a car. Plus there is the whole, "factory in the most rural part of Iowa" thing.

BTW, NW Iowa has pretty low wages, yet people there are very highly educated, skilled and possess an unreal work ethic. This is kind of a "perfect storm" for something like a Cobra replica company.

I grew up racing solid frame, chain driven carts and Series I Mustangs on dirt. At work, I drive something equally uncomfortable, often armored, and usually with guns on it. When I'm stateside, I daily drive a 67 Mustang convertible with a very stiff suspension, and it just isn't "enough" to scratch my itch. I'm afraid I'd fall asleep in a modern performance car.

My wife is getting tired of being a geographical war widow. I am an adrenaline junkie. This car will be my replacement therapy because at 53, I've been doing this crap for 35 years, and I need to pay some attention to her.

I'm hoping my cobra build will be too hot in the summer, too cold any other time, too loud, hard riding and dangerous under power and in corners. Hopefully I won't be disappointed....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 120mm

I'm hoping my cobra build will be too hot in the summer, too cold any other time, too loud, hard riding and dangerous under power and in corners. Hopefully I won't be disappointed....

OK then. No future questions about heated seats, tops, cup holders, A/C, PS, stereo, etc.

As Buzz said earlier, Dean Lampe builds the best, at least a couple of RCR GT40's, 289 FIA Kirkham and a Hurricane. Do a search on his Hurricane build and that should give you a helluva lot of info on their Cobra.

[120mm]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

OK then. No future questions about heated seats, tops, cup holders, A/C, PS, stereo, etc.

Cobras already come with stereo, don't they? Twin pipes spreading FE goodness.

As Buzz sad earlier, Dean Lampe builds the best, at least a couple of RCR GT40's, 289 FIA Kirkham and a Hurricane. Do a search on his Hurricane build and that should give you a helluva lot of info on their Cobra.

Will do, forthwith. Thanks for the tip!

[120mm]

Back to the actual machine. I find it useful to write about my ideas and have people offer constructive criticism, so I can improve my plans.

To me, it is less about creating a 100% faithful replica, but more about capturing the essence of what a Cobra "is".

I started my fixation with the Cobra in 1976, when at the tender age of 13, I had $3000 burning a hole in my pocket from the sale of some feeder cattle, and I happened upon a clapped out race Cobra at the Spencer, Iowa race track. My dad talked me out of buying it and I got my 1967 Mustang convertible, instead. I always regretted that decision, and swore to some day own a Cobra like the one I saw.

So, I want to create the essence of that machine, but not copy it. Unfortunately, while I can finally afford to build a Cobra replica, my funding is barely adequate, so I need to be deliberate in my build.

I have thought about it for literally decades, and have come up with the following criteria, in the order of importance:

1. Body shape. Has to be clean and true to the original shape. (Hurricane Motorsports, FTW!)
2. 15" wheels. In my opinion, the 15" fat tires are a hallmark of the breed. Will probably go MT SR, as I think the Firestone Indy tires from Coker are too limiting in application.
3. FE powered. To me, the displacement is not crucial, but the sound, power and appearance of the FE engine is pretty important. Unless it's a 289 Cobra, and then it should be SBF powered. Plus, I have a built 390 sitting in my mom's machine shed, and there is a certain kismet to using that engine I built over 30 years ago that I pulled from my grandfather's Mercury in a Cobra replica.
4. IRS. I am so tempted to cut corners with a live axle in a 3 link suspension, yet I think the IRS, or at least the idea of the IRS completes the concept.
5. Pin Drive. The last, and least important aspect of my prospective build, but Pin Drive really is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, I don't particularly care for the wine glass wheels that are available. They are too angular and stark. I prefer kidney beans, and am tempted to abandon my idea for pin drive for Coker Tire's Rocket Igniter wheels with fake spinners in the hub.

As my impending deployment has stretched out my plans yet another year, I am currently going back and forth over two different concepts.

1. Murdered out black on black. Black wheels, gloss black paint, flat black stripes and number roundels, with black exhaust.

2. Dark blue with LeMans gold wheels and black exhaust.

I have my own paint rig and booth, so I may end up doing both.

It's frustrating to finally have the money available. It is going to be a long year.

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by 120mm

5. Pin Drive. The last, and least important aspect of my prospective build, but Pin Drive really is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, I don't particularly care for the wine glass wheels that are available. They are too angular and stark. I prefer kidney beans, and am tempted to abandon my idea for pin drive for Coker Tire's Rocket Igniter wheels with fake spinners in the hub.

You can have both if you want-

Here are some 15 inch, pin drive Kidney Beans for you to think about:

Kidney Bean 15inch custom set up to 12 wide adapters/spinners : Vintage Wheels, Mustang, Hot Rod and Muscle Car

[bwcobra15]

Originally Posted by 120mm

So, I want to create the essence of that machine, but not copy it. Unfortunately, while I can finally afford to build a Cobra replica, my funding is barely adequate, so I need to be deliberate in my build.

I fell in the same category. I wanted to build a cobra that was as close to original looking as possible, and affordable for me. That excluded SAI/CSX and Kirkham/KMS.

Along with your originality traits mentioned below, the new Hurricane also comes standard with original style floor-mounted clutch and brake pedals, dash support tubes, rolled body edges in the cockpit that simulate aluminum over tubular frame, correct roll bar shape and angle, aluminum fuel tank, correct dash design and layout, front suspension cross-bracing, and probably a few other originality features I can't remember just now...

Originally Posted by 120mm

1. Body shape. Has to be clean and true to the original shape. (Hurricane Motorsports, FTW!)

As you stated, Hurricane body is molded from CSX3235

Originally Posted by 120mm

2. 15" wheels. In my opinion, the 15" fat tires are a hallmark of the breed. Will probably go MT SR, as I think the Firestone Indy tires from Coker are too limiting in application.

I agree, and I have 15" Goodyear Billboard bias ply tires. After I get on the the road and wear them out I might go to MTs. Or Avons if I can afford them.

Originally Posted by 120mm

3. FE powered.

I went with 351W-based 427cid SBF, for affordability and drive-ability. But I hope to make it appear vintage looking with pent-roof valve covers, FE-style expansion tank, etc. And while making 600hp, and 3" I.D. side pipes it should make quite a 'loud' impression.

Originally Posted by 120mm

4. IRS.

Again, Hurricane offers a very well-engineered IRS option.

Originally Posted by 120mm

5. Pin Drive.

With the Hurricane you can go either pin-drive or 5-lug, or upgrade to pin-drive at a later time. There are lots of wheel choices. I went with Trigo's standard 427 style 5-pin "Hallibrand" looking wheels with dark grey powercoat.

Originally Posted by 120mm

As my impending deployment has stretched out my plans yet another year, ...
year.

Good luck on your deployment and thank you for your service!



.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 120mm

My dad talked me out of buying it and I got my 1976 Mustang convertible, instead.

Did Ford make a 1976 Mustang in a convertible?

All good choices based upon your personal taste. Based upon what we know so far, appears to be a very good plan.

BTW, last night's met con:

3 RFT:

10 DL's at 225
15 HSPU's
20 BBJO

[120mm]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Did Ford make a 1976 Mustang in a convertible?

All good choices based upon your personal taste. Based upon what we know so far, appears to be a very good plan.

BTW, last night's met con:

3 RFT:

10 DL's at 225
15 HSPU's
20 BBJO

Ah, you got me.

I bought a 1967 Mustang in 1976 as a "new" car. A 16 year old wrecked it on a test drive in 1967, and while it was fixed, it languished for the next 9 years at the dealership, as no one wanted a "new" wrecked Mustang.

BTW, I managed to hold on to that car, and it is pictured in my avatar.

[bwcobra15]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, last night's met con:

3 RFT:

10 DL's at 225
15 HSPU's
20 BBJO

Tonight for me:

Tempo Front Squats -2×5 @70% of 1RM, 33×1

Then,For Time:
-15 Thrusters, RX (95/65)
3 Rounds of:
-200m sprint
-10 Burpees to a target 6″ above highest reach
Then,
-15 Thrusters

Core: -Accumulate 4:00 in a plank


Fun Times - okay, now this thread has gone WAY off topic

[Bill D]

Love he kidney bean wheels. Did any 427 models come with them?

[120mm]

Originally Posted by moore_rb

You can have both if you want-

Here are some 15 inch, pin drive Kidney Beans for you to think about:

Kidney Bean 15inch custom set up to 12 wide adapters/spinners : Vintage Wheels, Mustang, Hot Rod and Muscle Car

Man, the price may just drop them off the list, though.

Originally Posted by Bill D

Love he kidney bean wheels. Did any 427 models come with them?

I am a bad man, I know, but I don't care. I'd be willing to have the wrong wheels. But, knowing real versus ideal history, I would bet dollars to donuts that someone out there put kidney beans on their 427, whether they came with them or not.

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by moore_rb

Here are some 15 inch, pin drive Kidney Beans for you to think about:

Kidney Bean 15inch custom set up to 12 wide adapters/spinners : Vintage Wheels, Mustang, Hot Rod and Muscle Car

Originally Posted by 120mm

Man, the price may just drop them off the list, though.

Yeah- That's what happened with me, too. I was going to put either these pin drive KB's, or a set of Torq thrusts on my 289 car, and the price difference is what finally tilted me to the Torq's....

The "Pin drive knockoff versus lug nuts" debate is another one that pops up on this forum all the time. For a 427 car, center knockoffs are the only "correct and original" way to attach your wheels to the hubs. However, there are a million 5-lug, 427 style replicas out there. If your car is otherwise pure to the original cars from a styling and aesthetic standpoint, then you can expect the lug nuts to potentially decrease the resale value of your car by the cost of a pin-drive wheel conversion kit (so again, about $2500)

My personal opinion is that if you really think you may track or autocross your car when it's done, then 5 lugs make better technical sense from a durability and safety standpoint (5 points of failure per wheel is a lot better than 1 point of failure) -

There are numerous stories right here on the forum about knockoff wheels flying off at the least opportune moment.... and for every guy who was man enough to post his story, there are probably 2 or 3 more from guys who were too embarrassed to post theirs...

Naturally, there are also going to be thousands of guys who say "I've raced my car with knockoffs for 20 years, and I've never had an issue - Just use safety wire and you will be fine"- Which is probably equally true...

But the math is the math- 5 potential points of failure per wheel is a lot better than one; the same way that the pass line is a much safer bet on the craps table than rolling a 3...

Knockoffs are used on race cars because they are the fastest way to swap tires and wheels in the pits- They are not used because they happen to be the safest way to attach a wheel to a hub.

Again: Make your own decision, based on your own criteria.

Originally Posted by Bill D

Love he kidney bean wheels. Did any 427 models come with them?

I think only a few 260/289 competition cars left SAI with KB's in the early 60's.

(I'm sure the SAAC historian gurus will crash through the ceiling, descend down on rappelling lines, and put me in my place if I'm incorrect about that , haha )

The Kidney Beans were one of Halibrand's first competition wheels, and came before the USRRC/FIA wheels, and before the Cobra S/C wheels, and before the GT40 wineglass wheels.

So, they are definitely period-correct, and I'm sure there are historical photos of some racing team that had thrown a set of KB's onto a 427 race Cobra somewhere in the mid-60's to early 70's....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bill D

Love he kidney bean wheels. Did any 427 models come with them?

I'm not a AC/Shelby Cobra historian, but I think the kidney bean wheels were originally manufactured for the 260/289 Cobras. Sunbeam Tigers too.

[RodKnock]

Here are a couple kidney bean wheel threads from the Originality Forum:

1963 Design Cobra Six Spoke Wheels

Competition 260 & 289 original "kidney bean" wheels