Cobra csx2196 427 Prototype at 1964 Sebring 12 hrs

[Pierre Rivard]

This a completed build as part of the 64 Sebring group build (in w.i.p. section)

The car was prepared as a heavily modified leaf sprung (gen 1) roadster with a big block dropped in it for the race. As such it could not run in GT and was run as a prototype. Ken Miles hit a tree during practice and worked through the night to fix a broken suspension and significant body damage but they made it for the race starting from the back (no time set). Ken Miles took the start despite undisclosed bruised ribs and started running up the field. John Morton took over after 2 hours and spun the car twice before getting a hold of the nose heavy and underdeveloped car and fought his way through until the engine gave up. Morton later said the car handled like a 49 Buick. Might be how the car earned the nickname "The Turd" 

I started out with the AMT 63 Cobra slab side body as a foundation.

Body mods: Flared fenders, side vents, hood scoop, enlarged nose opening as well as the 3 GTO style nostrils (plus 2 more on the hood), auxiliary headlamps with attaching structure, front & rear jack hooks, side and center racing style mirrors, racing fuel cap and trunk lid dimples.

Interior mods: lever style racing lap belts, driver figure, FIA style gauges.

Chassis mods: swapped kit 289 engine with a 427 engine sourced from a Polar Lights Nascar kit. Many upgrades include carb and air filter, breathers, coolant overflow, distributor and cables, fuel lines, accessory pulleys, exhaust headers and pipes are all combination of aftermarket and scratch building. The interior tub was reworked to make room for the upgraded engine. Minimal other chassis mods are home made shock absorbers and reworking the suspension geometry to lower the ride height by about 2mm.

All paint finishes brush painted using a mix of Vallejo primers & colors and Tamiya clear. Light blue color is my own mix, basically mix of silver and blue.

 

[1959scudetto]

A very fine racing car from you, Pierre -  Ken Miles would be proud !

[Jim B]

Great looking Cobra. Really well done.

[Roger U]

Very nice. Your modifications to the body are really well done.

[cobraman]

Looks perfect !  Love it !

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

So glad you posted this. Wonderful photography!

Realistic driver figure.

[vamach1]

Super nice build.  I visited Sebring last weekend for the first time and it is a great facility.  I took some pictures of some of the photos in a few of the buildings.

[Dave B]

Magnificent Pierre, that is great modelling and, in my opinion, what the hobby is all about.

I just wish you could teach me to brush Vallejo paint that well!!

Thanks for sharing ?

Dave B

PS I'm persevering with brushing Vallejo Chrome on my Elfin ME5.

[Smilesperhour]

Stunning job 

 

Seeing your brushed finish makes me think I should try it as, spraying in a flat is a nightmare.

[ChrisR]

Awesome!

[Pierre Rivard]

Thank you all, your comments are much appreciated.

I forgot to mention that the wheels & tires are aftermarket, Historic Racing Miniatures resin cast.

Dave B, If you want specifics on how I brush paint I can PM you list of materials and methods. Vallejo chrome works well for small surfaces over a gray or black primer. One thin layer, wait 10 minutes then another coat and dry brushing it to allow the shine to come through.

Smiles, I hear you. I got into the hobby 6 years ago when retiring and moving back to the city in a flat. Spray painting not an option! Same offer if you want info just PM me.

[Gramps46]

Outstanding craftmanship Pierre. The attention to detail really paid off and resulted in a very accurate model.

 

[Kolu]

Fantastic build. Doesnt seem to have taken you long to do. I also enjoyed the Cobra - Sunbeam duo, i keep going back to those, thanks for the great pictures.

[TooOld]

The bar has officially been raised . . . excellent Cobra !  Loved your Tiger/Cobra duo and this one is just as good if not better , outstanding work !

[Claude Thibodeau]

Salut Pierre!

Wow, very neat. The gaps of the hood and trunk are surgically precise. Bravo!

CT 

[Gluebomber]

That is some REALLY nice work.

Great Job, Pierre!

[Foxer]

Welldone!

[Rich Chernosky]

Pierre...followed this build from the beginning. You craftsmanship and attention to detail are beyond compare. One of the best Cobra builds I have ever seen...and there have been a lot  lot of them. 

[Bainford]

Superb build, Pierre. Very nice Cobra.

[Smilesperhour]

8 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Thank you all, your comments are much appreciated.

I forgot to mention that the wheels & tires are aftermarket, Historic Racing Miniatures resin cast.

Dave B, If you want specifics on how I brush paint I can PM you list of materials and methods. Vallejo chrome works well for small surfaces over a gray or black primer. One thin layer, wait 10 minutes then another coat and dry brushing it to allow the shine to come through.

Smiles, I hear you. I got into the hobby 6 years ago when retiring and moving back to the city in a flat. Spray painting not an option! Same offer if you want info just PM me.

I'll certainly take you up on that offer as feel the Camaro could be a good car to try it on. Once I'm nearer to a painting stage I would gladly receive some tips. 

Beautiful builds both the cobra and the corvette. Had a look at few of your builds. Mind blown.

[Pierre Rivard]

Again thank you all for all the feedback and support. Looking back at my build pictures I realize that in the effort to replicate a specific car only a handful of the kit's parts (headlamps, tail lamps, steering wheel and windshield) were left untouched. Everything else was either modified or replaced. 

No complaints, I enjoyed every moment but this time I really mean it, the next build will be strictly OOB...until I change my mind...

[catpack68]

Excellent work Pierre!?

[Phildaupho]

Congratulations on your Cobra. Exceptionally well done. I really enjoy your photos.

[afx]

Turned out great Pierre!  How did you make the protective bar at the front?

[Pierre Rivard]

1 hour ago, afx said:

Turned out great Pierre!  How did you make the protective bar at the front?

I used metal wire from the hardware store. It measures 0.75 mm diameter and easy to bend. Made jack hooks as in pic and added a small angle to glue the wire with epoxy. Picture below shows version 1 that was too tall but shows the idea.