Cobra
Cobra
Daytona Coupe
Mock-Up Construction
Click Images to View Larger Format
This page shows the start of the mock-up construction for the body. The photographs in the Body Page are just for fun, here the real work begins. The rear body section I started with was made in one piece. The doors were an integral part of the body. If I had just cut the doors out I would loose all reference to the overall shape. Once symmetry was established and the body was braced properly, the door openings could be created.
 |
This picture shows the extensive bracing required to properly support the body before creating the door openings. It is easy to see why this had to be done now that the sill/exhaust panel and door skin is removed. |
 |
One of the most important parts required to refine the body shape is the windshield. This is a mold I made from a reproduction Coupe windshield. I was really nervous pulling this mold. Fortunately the glass survived the process. |
 |
I made a fiberglass "windshield" from the mold above. It is has stiffening ribs on the inside to maintain the shape. With this in place the body was pushed into final shape and restrained until the perimeter contour of the body was correct. The A-pillars are very narrow and I found the splash had "sagged" a bit. |
 |
This shot shows the rear of the body. The Coupes have a concave rear panel that is a separate piece welded to the main body panels. This can't be molded as an integral part of the body in fiberglass either. This is the start of a flat close-out panel for building the mold. The front portion of a reproduction rear spoiler is clamped in place to help define the shape. |
 |
The ugly inner workings of the mock-up shown here. It doesn't have to be pretty, just solid. Body filler makes a good adhesive and liquid shim. Fiberglass mat will then be placed over the wood.
|
 |
The outer door skin cut from the main body. This will serve as the basis for a mold. Once the final door is made the body will be built around it. |
 |
This is a temporary mold of the inner structure made from a Coupe door. Once again I was fortunate to have access to these. These doors have some odd shapes that you could never discern from a photograph. |
 |
This is one of the doors I made the mold from. At first glance this appears to be a simple aluminum box. Not so once you really study it. An incredible amount of work goes into making these in aluminum. |