Alloy Hi-Tech Build
 

After fixing up an old Contemporary Cobra (which I loved), I really got the itch to build something that more closely resembled an original Cobra.

The fabricator (?) who did a lot of work on my Contemporary, brokered a deal where I would trade my Contemporary cobra for an almost completed Hi-Tech Cobra. Actually, it was a post Hi-Tech / pre Sagebrush Cobra but I just refer to it as a Hi-Tech.

In my excitement to obtain the Hi-Tech, I did not do my due diligence and it wasn’t long before I figured out that this Hi-Tech had been very much misrepresented and needed far more work than was originally indicated. Buyer beware and I certainly wasn’t…

For almost 3 years I tried to move this project forward but as I continued to peel back the onion, I found more and more problems with both the quality of parts that were used on the build and definitely with the workmanship. What I thought was going to be a 9-12 month project was turning into a nightmare. The fabricator who brokered the deal (and who had previously owned this Hi-Tech) continued to work on the car. I was getting lots of BIG $$ invoices but the project was not moving forward the way It should have been.

After losing all faith in the abilities and honesty of my current fabricator, I did the only rational thing I could do. I picked up the entire project and drove it to Virginia where it now resides with Craig Coombe. The car has been stripped down to the bare frame, sandblasted and is currently being repaired before going out to the powder coaters. Thank God I did this as the welding on the frame was horrific but was well hidden by the rattle can paint that was used on the frame.

The Hi-Tech body has been sold and Craig will be putting an alloy body on my Hi-Tech frame. It has been an amazing experience working with Craig and for the first time in more than a few years, I am very excited about the project again. I will attempt to document the entire build process. I am going for an original style build with some minor concessions to originality for the sake of safety and practicality. I hope you enjoy this build thread as much as I am enjoying seeing my car finally coming to life.

Below are pictures of my old Contemporary, the day of the trade showing the Contemporary and Hi-Tech together and lastly, the Hi-Tech frame after being stripped and sandblasted.

It sounds like you got tangled up with our old friend. When are people going to learn?

Kevin

Way to go!
Can't wait to see progress.....
You are not alone (guy eluded to above) we should start a support group.
Excited for one as Craig is a top notch guy and super talent.
Excited that you did not sell your car, I too almost sold mine as bad experiences can lead one down that path....

In the end your car will be what it should have been. AWESOME!
You have a real talent working with you and we are all awaiting this awesome thread and its progress.

Congratulations pal.......

Excited for the developments to come.

I Have worked with Craig on a couple of projects nothing but pleased with everything he has done

Craig is top notch talent! Looking forward to seeing another great build!

Schweet!!

It will be a thing of beauty when it is down and you will soon forget all of the heartache that preceded the finished product. Keep the pictures coming.

For some reason I am having difficulty posting .jpeg files this morning so I have taken these out of my album. These are some of the horrific welds that were discovered under the rattle can paint job after the frame was completely sandblasted. Downright dangerous.

Feel free to look in my album if you want to see close-ups of the carnage...

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3611

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15610&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15609&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15608&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15611&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15612&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=15613&thumb=1

This picture shows some of the sections that had to be cut out of the car and replaced. Unfortunately this pile has continued to grow...

On a positive note, later today I will post some pictures of the amazing progress Craig has made in correcting the issues with the frame. Again, I am very excited to finally see my Cobra going in the right direction.

Wow! I've seen quite a few Hi Tech frames, some even in the chassis jig but never seen welds like that! Bizarre!
Larry

Wow! Thankfully these issues did not deter you completely. I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress on this build.

Just be lucky you caught it now instead of after it was on the road! I would not have even driven that thing with those welds. One good bump or twist of the frame from engine torque and you might have been sitting on the ground or wrapped around a tree!

This was a left over frame from when Hi-Tech was shutting their doors and I was told it arrived in NH with only tack welds.

Your in good hands now !!! Craig does beautiful work. :cool:

Gotta know

3002 type body
S/C body
Comp body??????

Those welds all look like they have been crapton.

New motor and transmission mounts for my 427 and TKO600. All angles have been corrected and everything should drop in nicely when the time comes.

I am still having trouble loading .jpeg files so if you want to see these pictures up close, feel free to go into my album.


http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...764771&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...764771&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...764771&thumb=1

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...764771&thumb=1

Hey Jeff - I am going for a Comp style build. Right now I am leaning towards running the FIA style wheels as most of the early cars came with them.

Sweet, that will make it far more interesting.
S/C delete rear flares

Maybe in between the Comp and S/C cars - like CSX3018 with a little more flare in the rear fender.