Who is today's best pannel beater for Cobra bodies?
 

I would like to know your oppinion: who is the best pannel beater today for repairs on the Body of original Cobras?
Interested in all opinions - please speak freely, it is not of competition, but on experience.
I would say the guys around Steve Gray / Brooklands (with thier original jigs) is a good guess, also I was mentioned Ian Pitney and also Aubrey Finburgh in the UK.
Who else is there - who has experience in crashed or body-restored original Cobras?
Thanks!

Lets start here:
Panel Craft LLC - Restoration of Classic Automobiles by Hand - Custom rolled Sheet Metal -- Bethlehem, NH

Joe is quite the guy !

Don't forget Mike McCluskey http://www.mccluskeyltd.com/ - Rebodied/repaired/restored a few originals and built the bodies for the infamous "completion Cobras".

Buzz

Kirkham, of course, and Hall Fabrication and Racing.

I was going to say Panel Craft also. However, Bruce Kimmins is probably the best if he's still doing bodies. Anyone know?
Larry

Geez... can't believe I forgot Dave Wagner! One of the best around!
http://images.ebizautos.com/sites/78...num_Cobras.pdf
Larry

I don't think Dave actually beats tin himself. The "Wagner built" thing refers to his completion of Kirkham supplied units.

For a restoration of an original check with Bill and Dave Murray at the Shelby American Collection in Boulder (call from 10-4 Saturday). They've restored lots of originals for Miller and others.

There is much much more to the restoration of a Cobra than sheet metal.

If you want an example look at the before and after pictures of J7.


P.S. I find it hard to believe that someone looking to restore an original Cobra would be asking this question here... Every original owner I know also knows who the "go to guys" are.

Larry,
Yes Bruce is the best there is and no he will probably never do another Cobra body. To bad.

AJ

I note the individual asking the initial question mentioned two shops in England. So perhaps it would be appropriate to indicate for which side of the pond you need information, as there are good panel beaters here and there, and it probably wouldn't make sense to ship a British car here or a U.S. car there.

Rats! Bruce was the best! Oh well.
Larry

Dave does both original restoration and the Kirkham replicas. He's a full service restorer.
Larry

You are right, sorry - better "over the pond" in England. It is not so much that we do not know, it is more about experience with shops - that includes timelines, budgets and so on. And shops do change over time, a reputation from 20 years ago does not always help today.

Call Paul also he's at North Devon Metalcraft.
North Devon Metalcraft | Manufacturers of replacement steel and aluminium motor bodies

I had a Kimmons body on my Hi-Tech 3002 replica that was amazing. Do these companies use one specific body like Kirkham does for their 427 S/C Cobra?

A friend of mine sent me this link thought I could help. I was going to say Brooklands but I have no first hand experience with them. I will be attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed near the end of the month. For both enjoyment and business purposes. Jaguar Land Rover will have a big introduction of it's new special-ops division. Formally known as Special Vehicle Operations. I have been in a business relationship with them and a saleable product within years end is expected. Sooner if Geneva's Dupont facility issues their final ballistic results.

I have two men that have been on my personal payroll for a long stretch of time. They work on my vehicles and are third generation craftsmen. Their fathers worked for my grandfather ages ago. They have relocated to Britain to help in this enterprise. Also are two craftsman of the modern age and the two pairs are learning and teaching each other.

If you can not find a craftsman for your cobra I would suggest them. Personally I have not seen better work by another. Maybe equal but not better. They did an Italian house prototype which many were afraid to touch. It was unevenly built and you would not believe how many gallons of lead came off of the body. Two years ago they restored a 1950's Citroen U55 bus. You might remember the spaceship tour buses(Citirama) in Paris at that time period. Really top notch work.

They should be around enjoying themselves during the festival and some day will be rebuilding or resurrecting a cobra wreck. They probably can advise you better than I and have their hands full at the moment. There should be an American updated version of the Project 7 Jaguar their also. It's a commissioned piece and I expect the lightweight Jaguar E continuation models will be announced.

I'd say Steve Gray at Brooklands is the obvious first port of call.

Paul

Bill Kemper of Aluminum Restorations in the Chicago area. I have a feeling that he is the best there is (that ought to get some interesting replies). He builds (and of course) repairs all the Cobra bodies. He once told me, when I said I would love a 260 replica, that he could build me one that could not be distinguished from an original. I know for a fact that he has original parts that no one else has.

I am not aware that Bill does his own alloy work - it has always been my understanding that he subcontracted it out. And these days, I do not believe Bill is doing any customer work at all. I would welcome being told otherwise.

Bill's website is still up and active but that doesn't mean he's still doing restorations.
It's on the internet though, so it must be true!
Larry