AMT 1962 260 Cobra

[Mark W]

I decided to complete an easy build started may years ago before moving back to the McLaren M8B.

I like the Cobra and since it already has a start, it should be a fast build. Not something I'm usually noted for.

It will be box stock save for a set of USCP printed wire wheels and some plug wires. OH yeah, it will be RED!

The pics are as I left it ten years ago and the wheels/tires that will go on it. Also the body.

Enjoy

 

Edited December 3 by Mark W
added a photograph

[Kah puts]

It’s going to be killer 👍

[Pierre Rivard]

Early Cobras with wire wheels are my favorite. And it's a pretty good kit. Look forward to see what you will do with it. Club racer or road car?

[Mark W]

19 minutes ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Early Cobras with wire wheels are my favorite. And it's a pretty good kit. Look forward to see what you will do with it. Club racer or road car?

Strictly stock, as I want this to be a quick build. The wire wheels are,I believe what was on my Austin Healey.  There was a lot of interchangeability back then among British marks. I found that the gauges, exhaust parts, carburetors, wheels etc were the same among AH, Jaguar and others.

The other reason it will be the stock 260 is that hopefully it will be displayed next to a HRM FIA Cobra. (a future build)

Here's a little work on the body, note the holes added for the toneau cover.

Edited December 3 by Mark W
added a photograph

[Mark W]

Here's some work done on the chassis.

One of the most important items in a build is to get the position  of wheels/tires looking good.

Although I consider this a very decent kit, there is still a need for some tweaking.

The top of the rear leaf spring was filed down and the front A-arms and spring had to be moved a bit from their natural position. I don't mind if the wheels don't turn, so there's always a bit of adjustment in the final assembly. I get all the Vroom Vroom I need with the grand kids.

Not wanting to to extend the build time, I went with the AMT metal axles, which by the way, go right  through the front shocks, you'll see later.

[Mark W]

Getting the hood to lay properly can be a problem, as it was here. The hood hinges at the front and the back was popping up above the cowl.

I attached a small piece of steel to the underside of the hood, then a tiny round magnet just under the cowl.

Even though it has to attract the metal through the plastic, magnets now are so powerful, there's not a problem.

Edited Sunday at 11:31 AM by Mark W
added information

[Mark W]

Final body work done and some primer was put on.

As you can guess, with the pink Tamiya primer, the final color will be red. 

I almost did this in a tan/creme color like one I saw at the Vintage Grand Prix in Pittsburgh, but just wanted something a bit brighter on the shelf since the Cobra is a bit small.

[meechum68]

This is slick!  I like the magnet mounting trick. Many hear use it,and to see the mounting of how it went is a great tip! 

[Bainford]

This is shaping up to be a fine Cobra. Those wire wheels are going to look great.

[Pierre Rivard]

The body prep looks impeccable. See over pink primer, that will really pop. 

Aston in the back... Revell kit?  Roof shape needs help...

[Mark W]

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

This is shaping up to be a fine Cobra. Those wire wheels are going to look great.

Thank you, I was glad to get a set of these wheels, I think the tires that they came with look really good also.They’re Pirelli Cinturato’s.

btw, the dust will be cleaned off before installation,

[Mark W]

1 hour ago, Pierre Rivard said:

The body prep looks impeccable. See over pink primer, that will really pop. 

Aston in the back... Revell kit?  Roof shape needs help...

Thank you Pierre.

The Aston is an Airfix kit. I have a couple and this one will be a Bond car. Later maybe a race version. I think this is the best body overall, the others have too vertical body sides. The Airfix tucks under nicely. Your thoughts on this one?

Also, you put the thought in my head about a Cobra club racer, don’t be surprised if down the road there will be one here.

[Pierre Rivard]

6 hours ago, Mark W said:

Thank you Pierre.

The Aston is an Airfix kit. I have a couple and this one will be a Bond car. Later maybe a race version. I think this is the best body overall, the others have too vertical body sides. The Airfix tucks under nicely. Your thoughts on this one?

Also, you put the thought in my head about a Cobra club racer, don’t be surprised if down the road there will be one here.

Everything I've heard or read is that Airfix is the one that got the shape right. New Revell is just bad, the roof shape is completely wrong. 

Cobra club racer gets my vote!

[AJ48085]

Very nice.

 

[FoMoCo66]

Wow, this is some very good work on this kit! Keep it up.