Cobra - T-Bird Project ... your comments pls

[binggy]

Hi there. I'm about to start working on an AC Cobra replica and I was hoping that you could share your insights on my situation/plans. My apologies in advance if my queries may seem shallow to you.

A friend sold (gave is more like it) me a still nicely running '67 Thunderbird because he needed the garage space. Thing is, I don't really fancy the the T-bird but I also sort of gave my word that I wouldn't sell the T-Bird. I don't know the dimensions of a Cobra 427 body and I'm wondering if it'll be a good fit on the T-Bird. I understand that a certain degree of fabrication will be needed and even if i'm far from being an expert, I'm sure i'll be up to the task. My dream car has always been the Shelby AC Cobra and I thought this combination would be the perfect solution to my dilemma.

So i'll basically have a T-Bird with a Cobra look. The plan is to purchase (budget and wife permitting) as much stuff to make it llok and feel like the real thing.

I've been into motorcycles all my life and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I know little about cars.

The T-Bird has a newly overhauled Ford 302 cu. in. auto trans C-6 engine but I intend to change it to a manual transmission. How would this engine fare against the ones one would normally find in a Cobra?

The sporting prowess and excitement level derived from driving an AC Cobra is very well documented. That coupled with what in my opinion is the sexiest car body i've ever seen makes for an extremely intriguing prospect.

I am most anxious to hear your thoughts on the drive/ride experience I will likely get when the the project is done ... versus the experience of driving/riding an actual AC Cobra replica?

I hope the experience will be very similar because I thinks this is just about as close as i'll ever get to owning a Cobra.

Any and all comments (good, bad, violent) will be much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

[computerworks]

Originally posted by binggy


a still nicely running '67 Thunderbird...
...I don't know the dimensions of a Cobra 427 body and I'm wondering if it'll be a good fit on the T-Bird

IMHO, it's probably not a good platform to use.

The Cobra has a 90" wheelbase... the '67 T-Bird has a 115" wheelbase.

If the 302 is new and good....pull it and keep looking for a body and frame.

[SCOBRAC]

Hmmm... As the starter of the cobra / thunderbird craze I will tell you it isn't for everyone... It ends up looking nothing like a cobra and nothing like a thunderbird...

[binggy]

Compu, engine is good. Actually, the whole T-Bird is good. I just don't dig the looks. What would you suggest will serve as a good donor car or platform? Building the frame/chassis is way out of my skill range and living in asia makes a bit of a drag to import them.


Scobrac, do you have details and pics of your T-Bird/Cobra project?


Noob question: If we were to hard-headedly pursue this project, is it possible/practical to somehow cut a portion of the T-Bird to accommodate the Cobra body?


Thanks again.

[Buzz]

Ron is right. It's also true that the Cobra shape is one of the sexiest out there but when it is pulled and stretched and distorted to fit longer, wider platforms, it loses that sexiness REAL quick and you end up with a creation that has some Cobra-like elements but is ugly and unappealing as hell. The amount of time, money and headache involved in the conversion will make it less than worthwhile and will yield a car that is less desirable and less valuable than either the original T-Bird or even a low budget 90" wheelbase Cobra replica. It takes far more than an oval shaped radiator opening, sidepipes and some 60's style trim to capture the look and feel of a Cobra. Don't give up on your dream, but don't sell it short either. Take your time, do some research (here is a good place to start) and when you are ready, look into doing a Cobra that will be far closer to the real thing. It will be easier and not necessarily much more expensive than converting a T-Bird; plus, it will produce a result that will justify the effort.

[Woodz428]

As suggected pulling the engine is probably a good idea. Although, it is most likely a 390 or 428. Only FE variants were the standard equipment in 60's birds until 1968 when the 429 was introduced. The only 2 engines available in 1967 were 390s and 428s.
The 'bird could be a pretty neat car if you gutted the 600 pounds + of sound deadening and tweaked the suspension a little, just don't get creative with the original lines. I have owned a dozen or so '60's era 'birds and always liked the highway ride, they were just a little too heavy for any sporting type driving.

[binggy]

I guess you summed it up good, Buzz. I'm so thankful for this site and for helpful guys like yourselves. Is there a build-it-yourself totally from scratch guide (for free or for a fee) that details everything I need to fabricate? Like plans that include detailed instructions for building the frame/chassis that are perfect fits for the body? I read somewhere here that it's better to build the frame based on the body so it'll be a better fit but I'd still need instructions on what and how to form the frame/chassis.

You're right, I shouldn't rush into this only to be disappointed and disillusioned midway through the project. It's just that I don't see myself learning to build it in this lifetime. Thus my hope against hope that there's a possible donor car out there for the cobra.

What are the dimensions of the cobra?

Wheelbase= 90"
Overall length=?
Overall Width=?
Overall height=?
Weight=?

[Buzz]

Binggy, I must have missed your last post while I was typing and I did not pick up on your location in your first post. That does complicate things a bit - I know because I live in the Caribbean and I was in a similar dilemma. Not as difficult as Asia for sure but import duties and penalties down here almost triple the cost of buying or building a car like the Cobra. I was extremely lucky and found an unfinished (and poorly started) Unique Motorcars replica sitting in a garage down here and it has been an enjoyable project/experience ever since. Unless you can find a Cobra of some kind reasonably close by (hey, it's not impossible - I found one on a 238 sq. mile rock in the Atlantic Ocean ) Your best option is to look into a budget donor style kit that uses Mustang components - try: http://www.factoryfive.com/.
You should be able to find an old Mustang or two with serviceable parts and you might get away with importing the basic body and frame as "automobile parts". Keep posting and good luck whichever route you choose and welcome to the wacky world of Cobra enthusiasts.

[Turk]

Don't!

[mloy]

Originally posted by Turk


Don't!

Turk, Ditto that.

--Mark

[Excaliber]

If it has a 302 (VERY doubtful) it doesn't have a C6. The BIG C6 automatic was a big block\truck trans. C4 is used behind the 302.

...and no, don't even go there trying to convert it to a replica Cobra.

[SCOBRAC]

The car was built by Kustoms of Los Angeles.. It has a 1963 427 with side oiler heads, top is chopped and sectioned 4"... Three speed cruise-O-matic transmission ysdda yadds

[binggy]

Okidoki, i've dropped the idea of a merged T-Bird and Cobra. Thanks for saving me tons of frustration and disappointment.

And the gods must be smiling down at me ... I bumped into a friend who knows someone who has built Cobras from scratch. I gave the guy a call and he says he just happens to have a 90% finished cobra that's been sitting in his warehouse for quite some time now. I'm looking at it first thing tomorrow morning. I was kind of looking forward to being part of the whole building process but hey, this is obviously a much better option than the T-bird project. I just hope it won't cost an arm and a knee cap. Wish me luck!

[binggy]

Scobrac, do you have pics of that thing? I'm just curious to see what I might have ended up with :P