afx Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Since I'm in a Cobra mood and I had to surrender my Dragonsake to the resin caster I thought I would scratch that itch by taking on a 1/25 scale Cobra 427. Revellogram offers a very nice 427 but it is 1/24 scale. Since I have a few 1/25 scale 289 Cobras in my collection I really want a 1/25 scale 427 to keep everything in scale. Here the scale difference is obvious. The gray car on the right is the AMT Cobra, middle car is the Sunny 427 and the red car on the left is the Monogram kit. Edited April 21, 2016 by afx
afx Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) The Sunny/Minicraft kit doesn't get much love and while some of the criticism is deserved I think (hope) I can build a respectable big block Cobra. Personally I like the Sunny body Here it is a compared to the Monogram. I don't intend on correcting every discrepancy in an effort to create the ultimate 1/25 scale 427 but I do want it to look the part to any knowledgeable Cobra fan. Edited September 23, 2015 by afx
afx Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) The Sunny kit is based on the AMT kit and this is where the problems begin. The AMT kit (which I also like very much) is a small block (260/289) chassis and as such used the leaf spring suspension. The big block (427) car ran the updated coil spring suspension. So the first order of business is the attempt the suspension conversion. I have modified the front suspension components from an old glue bomb Monogram. Here compared to a stock AMT chassis you can see the differences. Note my modified suspension is still missing the coil over shocks and the steering tie-rods. Edited September 23, 2015 by afx
cobraman Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 You know I will be watching. I am sure you will do a fine job. Very interested in the outcome.
dublin boy Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Best of luck JC, that's not an easy conversion. Even building the Minicraft out of box is difficult enough, with the front metal axle. I nearly threw it out of the window several times. I'm sure it'll be gorgeous when you're finished though
afx Posted September 22, 2015 Author Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Thanks Ray & Shay. I know there are some passionate Cobra fans on this forum, including myself and I won't meet everyone's expectation on this build I am sure. Not trying to set the bar just raise it a bit. Edited September 22, 2015 by afx
oldnslow Posted September 22, 2015 Posted September 22, 2015 Looking at the first pic with the 3 bodies, the difference in the rear of the bodies between the AMT and the other 2, is that because of small block versus big block?
afx Posted September 22, 2015 Author Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Looking at the first pic with the 3 bodies, the difference in the rear of the bodies between the AMT and the other 2, is that because of small block versus big block?It is Robert. The big block car had both front and the rear fenders widened to fit larger tires. In fact they increased the width of the whole car to accomidate the bigger engine. They also beefed up the chassis by increasing the main fame tubes from 3" OD on the SB chassis to 4"OD on the BB chassis.Towards the end of the Shelby contract AC cars did a short run of SB engined cars using the BB coils spring chassis. They called their car an AC289. Edited September 23, 2015 by afx
afx Posted September 24, 2015 Author Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) Thanks Len & Carl. I plan to make the front suspension fairly accurate since it is visible in the engine bay and from underneath. I am taking a bit of a short cut with the rear suspension using the leaf springs in lieu of fabricating the upper A arms which would be almost fully obscured on the completed build. I hope I have room to add the coil overs at the rear suspension. Some reference photos for comparison. Edited September 24, 2015 by afx
geemoney Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 love the vintage photo of the greatest frame under the greatest car!is that a dana diff?I too have the sunny car, and thought the same thing about it being AMT basedthe IMC/TESTORS cougar II also has a n AMT frame of sortslookin 4ward to your build!
afx Posted September 25, 2015 Author Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) love the vintage photo of the greatest frame under the greatest car! is that a dana diff? I too have the sunny car, and thought the same thing about it being AMT based the IMC/TESTORS cougar II also has a n AMT frame of sorts lookin 4ward to your build! Yea Mike the Cougar II was built on a Cobra leaf spring chassis CSX2008 and the IMC kit is indeed based on the AMT chassis. Here is a picture of the Cougar II chassis from Bill Geary's excellent build of that kit. Edited September 25, 2015 by afx
bismarck Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Yea Mike the Cougar II was built on a Cobra leaf spring chassis CSX2008 and the IMC kit is indeed based on the AMT chassis. Here is a picture of the chassis from Bill Geary's excellent build of that kit. Lookin good JC!!!! I'm in!!
Foxer Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 Glad to see this in the works. I'm deprived with having no Cobra kit and have wanted to see one going together. The kit bashing makes it even better!
afx Posted September 25, 2015 Author Posted September 25, 2015 AC had to modify the foot boxes to make room for the 427. Of course the Sunny kit doesn't includes these mods. The interior on the right is the kit part, the one on the left I have modified. I now have room (I hope) to squeeze in the Revel Parts Pack 427.
afx Posted September 26, 2015 Author Posted September 26, 2015 Fabricated some simple shocks. I will add the coil springs before they are permanently installed.
afx Posted September 30, 2015 Author Posted September 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks Carl & Dave. Started modifying the Monogram parts to fit the Revell engine block. Plan on using the Monogram hood as well. A quick test fit shows everything should fit under the hood. Edited October 2, 2015 by afx
afx Posted October 2, 2015 Author Posted October 2, 2015 More engine fitting. Headers even line up with the fender opening - I love it when that happens
doggie427 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 Very very nice fabrication and fitting. Can't wait to see this one finished.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now