Cobra
Cobra
Daytona Coupe
Body Construction
Click Images to View Larger Format
This page shows the start of the body construction process. The basis of this project is a 3/16" thick fiberglass "splash" from molds taken from original Coupes. I was very fortunate to be able to get these parts. The molds were made when a couple of the original Coupes were being restored. These were used to develop a body buck to make absolutely perfect aluminum bodied replicas. I'm not sure exactly which cars were used for the molds. I believe the rear body section came from CSX2300. I know the nose came from another car although I am not sure which one.
|
This is the frame table I constructed for this project. It is 13 feet long and 30 inches wide. The main rails are 2 x 5 x .188 wall tube. The cross members are 2 x 4 x .120 wall tube and the diagonal braces are 2 x 2 x .120 wall. The main table bolts to what are essentially 20 inch high heavy duty steel "saw-horses" which have adjusting screws for leveling. |
 |
All that work on the frame table is paying off here. Without a straight and level surface to work on, a project like this would be impossible. This shot shows the body support structure being fabricated. This frame will allow the body shell to be positioned properly while also allowing a simulation of the suspension wheel base, track width, and ride height. |
 |
A side view with the rear body section in place. The wheels are PS Engineering FIA pin-drives. The Coupes used 6.5" wide in the front and 8.5" wide in the rear. These wheels are actually a little wider at 7.5" and 9.5" front and rear. Tires are Hoosier racing bias-ply. |
 |
The same as above, just a different angle. |
 |
Now it almost looks like a car with the front wheels and nose section in place. The Coupe uses a one piece tilt forward nose. |
 |
A front view showing the nice lines of the nose section. |
At this point I have a lot of "tweeking" to do. Measure everything about 100 times to check for symmetry and squareness. Once that is complete flanges on the body edges will be constructed and a multi-piece mold will be made.
 | |
|
|