Tiger Cobra Duo

[Pierre Rivard]

I've been working on this SCCA Sunbeam Tiger racer at a very slow pace lately. Then I started noodling with the ice of a combo build with a Cobra. Imagine this fellow doing his best to develop his Tiger into a decent race car then has to face his predator: a Cobra.

So far I've only got the Tiger body done, widened body and a more open front end.

The Cobra I don't know yet how to deal with. I have a Revell "1962 Cobra 289" which makes no sense. The kit has a 427 style body with a series 1 chassis/engine. Work to do on that one... Suggestions are welcome.

[vamach1]

Should make a good looking duo.

[cobraman]

You have my interest.

[RancheroSteve]

That Tiger body is looking good!

[MarkJ]

Pierre, I finally found this one. You should build the Ken Miles Cobra that gave all the Grand Sports fits with the 427. It could go real fast on the straights but had a problem with tight turns. Plowed like a dump truck so they say. And the brakes weren't up to the task either. Thats another one I would like to do some day. 

[Pierre Rivard]

Because the body does not match the chassis I will have to do changes to the Cobra. Initial thoughts are to keep the Mark II style chassis (4" types & transverse leafs) and modify the body front end opening and rear fenders, sort of a CSX2002 or 2026 in Sebring specs (some modest rear fender flares, early style Halibrands & full windshield).

However Mark's idea of doing CSX2196 that Ken Miles called "The Turd" should be investigated. Mark II chassis with FE engine.

Still open to suggestions. In the end I'll pick the idea that seems most feasible with the parts I have and what I feel capable to do on the modifications side of things.

[MarkJ]

4 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Because the body does not match the chassis I will have to do changes to the Cobra. Initial thoughts are to keep the Mark II style chassis (4" types & transverse leafs) and modify the body front end opening and rear fenders, sort of a CSX2002 or 2026 in Sebring specs (some modest rear fender flares, early style Halibrands & full windshield).

However Mark's idea of doing CSX2196 that Ken Miles called "The Turd" should be investigated. Mark II chassis with FE engine.

Still open to suggestions. In the end I'll pick the idea that seems most feasible with the parts I have and what I feel capable to do on the modifications side of things.

You know which one I'm voting for. "The Turd". Then I would have a guide when I got ready to do it. Penske's Grand Sport I did, was the one he beat Miles in at Nassau when he blew the engine on the Cobra. Miles would get ahead of Penske on the straights, but Penske would catch back up with his little 377 in the turns. Penske ended up sweeping all the races that week at Nassau. 

[Pierre Rivard]

So I've decided doing CSX2196 would be a massive project with it's one piece clamshell front and rear sections.

I'm going to go with the more manageable CSX2026. The first Cobra winner in the US at Riverside (JC did a gorgeous build of it). It was later upgraded to Sebring specs (as shown on picture below), eventually raced by privateer Bob Johnson (#33) then moved on to other privateers. Still lots of body mods will be needed, then I need an engine etc...

 

Edited August 7, 2022 by Pierre Rivard

[Rich Chernosky]

Very interesting project Pierre.  I actually owned a Sunbeam Tiger and have a model of it in my collection.  Got lots of pieces to a second kit if you need them. The Cobra shouldn't be a problem sourcing parts as there is plenty of it our there.  The Tiger was known as the poor mans Cobra. It was very fast but didn't handle all that well. The brakes left a lot to be desired too.  But boy, did it have a lot of torque. I rarely used 1rst gear. 

[Pierre Rivard]

13 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Very interesting project Pierre.  I actually owned a Sunbeam Tiger and have a model of it in my collection.  Got lots of pieces to a second kit if you need them. The Cobra shouldn't be a problem sourcing parts as there is plenty of it our there.  The Tiger was known as the poor mans Cobra. It was very fast but didn't handle all that well. The brakes left a lot to be desired too.  But boy, did it have a lot of torque. I rarely used 1rst gear. 

Rich, you hit the nail on the head about the topic of this build. the last thing a Tiger owner wants to see show up at a club race is a Cobra!

I wish I could have driven a Tiger. I've had powerful cars (Camaro SS, Corvette) and light agile cars (S2000, Miata) but never a light agile and powerful car. Must be intoxicating!

[MarkJ]

Pierre, the one you chose will be awesome. I'm looking forward to progress reports on it.

[Rich Chernosky]

7 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Rich, you hit the nail on the head about the topic of this build. the last thing a Tiger owner wants to see show up at a club race is a Cobra!

I wish I could have driven a Tiger. I've had powerful cars (Camaro SS, Corvette) and light agile cars (S2000, Miata) but never a light agile and powerful car. Must be intoxicating!

Pierre it was intoxicating...and also dangerous.  In the 4 months I had it, not a week went by that it wasn't over 100MPH. I went through more than a few sports cars  (MG's,Triumph, Porsche) but the most fun was also the slowest...A Toyota MR2 MK1.  How many of the cars you owned do you have a model of ?   Here is a link to the MR2 and Porsche....http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/160157-toyota-mr2-x-2/#comment-2377022

 

[Pierre Rivard]

14 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Pierre it was intoxicating...and also dangerous.  In the 4 months I had it, not a week went by that it wasn't over 100MPH. I went through more than a few sports cars  (MG's,Triumph, Porsche) but the most fun was also the slowest...A Toyota MR2 MK1.  How many of the cars you owned do you have a model of ?   Here is a link to the MR2 and Porsche....http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/160157-toyota-mr2-x-2/#comment-2377022

 

None

[Pierre Rivard]

Finally got some work done on the Cobra body. The plan is for a series 1 in Sebring specs. The starting point is the Revell "62 Cobra 289" which in effect is a series 1 chassis and a body looking like a series 3 427 Cobra. I believe this kit originates from the Sunny/Minicraft kit.

The body molding looks like a series 1 (narrow body) from the inside and a 427 from the outside i.e. thick fenders that I can grind down

The front fender opening lips were just gently sanded with a stick to mimic the squares lip series 1

The rear were slimmed down with a mini grinder

 

[Pierre Rivard]

I also opened up the rear wheelhouse to make room for building up a flange. Going by my ref pics of CSX2026 like the one seen above, the idea is of a flanged rear fender as opposed to the bulged out fenders of a 427 Cobra...if that makes any sense.

Thin sheet Evergreen strips glued to the opening, then putty using round side of toothpick to shape it, trim, sand, etc.

 

[MarkJ]

 

Pierre, those rear flares are looking perfect.

[Kenmojr]

Truly an interesting project. My two favorite forms of racing were drags and the old SCCA and IMSA road racing. 

[Pierre Rivard]

Nose job, before and after pictures.

I still need to add the 2 brake cooling ducts, not sure if they attach under the nose of embedded in the lower part of the bodywork.

 

[MarkJ]

Pierre, looks so much better with the mold lines gone and the opening reshaped. Coming along nicely. Another winner from your bench shaping up.

[Pierre Rivard]

Cobra body mods finally done. It's the first time I build one of these so along the way I discover a few fixes needing attention. I opened up the hood scoop and did some filling at the top of fenders as I saw a bit of a depression along the tool parting lines.

On changes to make the body closer to the Sebring specs I filled the body side vents & exhaust ports, added the little flares at the back of the front wheel openings and moved the fuel filler port (with a splash guard). The flares may be a bit overdone... I'll wait to see what it blends in better after primer.

 

[Nacho Z]

Not sure how I missed this one. I’ll be following along for sure.  You did a nice job on those flares.  They look great!

[Pierre Rivard]

I finally primed the Cobra body and fixed the few defects showing through.

Chassis mock up of both cars also done to set ride height, wheelbase and track.

 

[cobraman]

Mods are looking good !

[Pierre Rivard]

12 hours ago, cobraman said:

Mods are looking good !

Thanks Ray, first time I build either of these 2 kits so advice / tips welcome.

[MarkJ]

With the primer on you can really see the improvements you have made to the body. Are those Halibrand wheels, and did they come in the kit?