Model Cobra Tires

wtm442 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 12:36 PM

I'm a sucker for any "silver" colored Cobra ... I bought this one yesterday at a car show.

http://www.diecastfast.com/Merchant2...C124-64SHLBY-S

Nice model for $15, but the rims/tires are hideous looking. Has anyone ever removed the rims/tires off a model and replaced them with a different set?

OK, let the flames begin!

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 12:41 PM

Warren,

I have. In fact my die cast of the first Cobra has a spare wheel and tire and they are easy to change. I also took the wheels off a model that I didn't like just to see if I could.

Ron

tcrist · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 12:51 PM

That model looks like something Foose would do to a real car. I like a lot of things Chip doe's but those big rims look silly to me.

Terry

Jamo · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 03:42 PM

My son-in-law got me the same model because the body and fitments were so good, and apologized for wheels/tires when he gave it to me. Actually one of the better models regardless of price...better body than some of the ones I paid hundreds for. The interior's not real good either.

I'm looking too...

VRM · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 05:43 PM

It's an easy fix.
There is a kit by Revell/Monogram that has standard 427 Halibrands and reasonable tyres. It would take some work to put on the axles of the diecast, but it is really pretty easy.

I can provide parts painted to look like your wheels, or I can do the whole wheel change. I also do whole buildups - see my gallery. I don't work cheap, and I usually don't take on jobs like that, but it is an option if I find it interesting. I also have kidney bean Halibrands and FIA Halibrands.

There are also other people who can do that sort of thing, and I'd be happy to provide their contact info in anyone is interested.

Steve

Jamo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 05:58 PM

Yup...that's the kit I was thinking of using as a "donor car".

I like to sniff my own glue, thankyouverymuch. It's a 1/24, not a 1/25...right?

Only problem I can see is that we might need to use the whole chassis and do a "jdog-concept"

with this metal body....it's tubbed for the big 20s currently.

Sometimes, full-sized Cobras are easier.

wtm442 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 06:13 PM

Steve
Can you give me a link to the kit you described? The online store for Revell/Monogram lists a parts section. Do you have the P/N of the wheel/tire????

The tires on the model are about 1.5 inch tall.

VRM · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 06:46 PM

Jamo,
Yep, it is 1/24th. It is the best kit available. It builds up pretty nice, but could use some additions to make it more accurate. There is a comp kit available right now, but most of the stock goodies are there. There is a standard street dash in an earlier kit (red with no hood scoop). It's tougher to find, but not impossible.

You probably should just use the whole kit as it looks like the wheel wells have all been cut out as well on that diecast.

If you really want to get nuts, there is a really nice engine in the Revell Monogram Torino Cobra.

Your car is polished arruminium with different polished arruminium stripes, right? Use Alclad paints if you want to make a model kit paint job to look like your car. Licence plates are pretty easy, too. Take a photo of your plate shooting it straight on, and then change the size digitally untill it is the right size.

Stay away from the Fujimi Cobra kit - it is pretty horrible.

Warren, The parts you need are:
34 inner front wheel x2
35 inner rear wheel x2
82 front Halibrand x2
83 rear halibrand x2
84 knock offs x4
200 front tyre
300 rear tyre

The chrome on the kit wheels is not a good representation of most rims - soak the wheels in pine-sol, Whestleys Bleeche White, brake fluid, or Easy Off to remove the chrome. Paint with auto primer (I use Plastikote sandable white) and paint to match your wheels. Alclad paint is good if you have polished or magnesium wheels.
Hope that helps,
Steve

Jamo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 06:53 PM

Sometimes I'm a ditz. I've got the metal car sitting in front of the unopened Revell kit that I bought last year...forgot I had it. It's the 427 S/C with the green and blue versions on the box, both with comp screens...right?

Just checked, the wheels/tires from the kit are waaaaay too small because of what Steve said about the wheel wells cut open too much. In fact the tires/wheels from one of 1/18 Cobra models are barely ok...but I'm not going to take that apart (a bit pricier than this thing).

VRM · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 07:34 PM

Both of those versions have comp screens, but I am pretty sure that the stock frame and glass are included as well in that kit. If it's not let me know - I have a few spare stock frames and glass and I can send you one.

I was looking at a cheap ($20 I think) 1/18 GT40 on Ebay a few weeks ago. Wheels/tyres are similar (wider) to a Cobra, but they might fit that diecast a bit better. They will be completely out of scale, but almost anything would look better than the wheels that are on it.

Steve

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 07:44 PM

Yup...full street windshield's included. Damn nice kit now that I've taken it out of the bag.

VRM · #12 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 09:18 PM

So are you actually going to build it? Make sure you upload pics if you do!

Jamo · #13 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRM

So are you actually going to build it? Make sure you upload pics if you do!

Yup...think I will when it starts getting dark early. I have a bunch of old completed models that are still in boxes from moving around during the 70s and 80s that have a little damage...may get them out and repair 'em too.

Some big basturds with thousands of pieces...Tamiya Porsche 935 and a Stratos that took nearly a year...and a few others.

I've been sitting here trimming flash off the Cobra pieces with the Dremel set on slow...didn't have a Dremel back then. Might be fun getting back into this.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:23 PM

OK, I gotta go drag some of my models out of the closet now and check 'em out.

I'm NOT gonna mess with the 'real' alloy body one that came with white cotton gloves though.

fsstnotch · #15 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 11:51 PM

Here you go Warren

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFXD6&P=7

I have this model, my wife bought it for me to build for my daughter! haha It was painted hot pink. It was one of the worst fitting models I've ever done!

fsstnotch · #16 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:34 AM

I was just surfing today and came across this site... they advertise halibrand replica wheels for odels $15. Might be worth an email?

http://www.islandcollectiblesinc.net/prod022211.htm

VRM · #17 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

I was just surfing today and came across this site... they advertise halibrand replica wheels for odels $15. Might be worth an email?

http://www.islandcollectiblesinc.net/prod022211.htm

Ed Cervo is a good friend of mine. He runs Island Collectibles. He is very reputable.
Harold Bradford (the guy who makes the wheels and the other kits you linked to) is also a good friend of mine. Harold and I talk usually once a week, usually for an hour or three at a time. My wife says we are worse than women (except that we talk about car history and race specifics rather than soap operas). The Halibrands he makes are top notch, but they are also for the FIA Cobras and Daytonas, and the earlier skinny kidney bean style. They are not really appropriate for any of the 427s. I have a bunch of them - I'll try and take some pics tonight so you can see what they look like.

Steve

VRM · #18 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 09:40 AM

Jamo,
I'd suggest staying away from the Testors spray bombs for the body paint. Go with Tamiya spray paint with no primer. Most people have really good results right out of the can.
If you really want to get nuts about it - get an airbrush and use some automotive lacquer.
Try to avoid painting in humid weather, though.

BTW, How about a model car and collectibles forum on CC?

Steve

fsstnotch · #19 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 11:22 AM

Anybody ever tried these? They're a bit on the expensive side for model paint, but I think I'm going to buy a couple of the revell 427 cobras and paint them with a couple of the colors I like to get a good idea how it will look.

http://www.alsacorp.com/killercans.htm

VRM · #20 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 12:43 PM

I've seen them used on a couple of things. The chrome is very impressive, but it is a complex process. Candies are difficult to apply well, and require some good spraying skills.

Same thing here, but a couple of bucks cheaper: http://www.kustomrides.com/supplies/...ray-paint.html

I've never found a spray can that shoots as well as my airbrush. The droplets from a can are usually just too large, and you end up with too much orange peel. I might give 'em a try though.

Which ones are you looking at?

Steve