If you're going for period correct, I guess the bling factor would need to be toned down. I dont think there was much polished aluminum or chrome on the originals (other then quick jack covers and shifter - what else?).

A couple of other areas:

side pipe finish

carpet type

overflow catch can type

 

Bling Factor

Jack,

Are you saying chrome rims are not "old school"?

(And I went to all that trouble, too!)

 

OOOOhhh PURTY.......

 

Original style throttle linkage
MC reservoirs on firewall
No carpet in trunk
Seat harness cross attachment on roll bar (Finishline)
427/428 engine
Toploader 4-spd

 

I kicked around the idea of trying to replicate the "patina" of a real car. (I ultimately rejected the idea because it would be hard to do "right" and a little more costly for some things). Also, since it is in fact a replica, it would probably just look like I had no money or taste!!

As is often said, you can tell the real one in a crowd of cobras because it is the dirtiest. There was a great article in Motor Trend a few months ago about a car they nicknamed "dirtbag" or something to that effect. Here it is... http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0704_1964_shelby_cobra_289/

Every time I look at pics of the real cars, the following things stand out:
1. The gauges are rarely all from the same supplier or the same style;
2. They often have "label maker" type labels for wipers, lights, etc.
3. The seats are leather and worn
4. The paint is never "deep" and glossy... no clear coats, no modern colors
5. The louvers would be painted the same color as the body
6. Sunburst wheels (WHY WON'T SOMEONE MAKE REPLICAS OF THESE!?!?!)


I am sure there is more but these add to the list.

-Jon A.

 

Sunburst wheels (WHY WON'T SOMEONE MAKE REPLICAS OF THESE!?!?!)

I believe PS Engineering makes them. Or maybe Trigo

 

Over riders that could (or look like they could), be used to lift the car.

 

Those are called "Quick Jacks" (Item 13)

 

Didn't the oil pan on the Cobra's look a lot different than stock as well as the "Cobra" one? The manufacturer still exists but I forget the name.

 

There was an aluminum "T" pan, but I cant say what cars it was used on. Probably the Cobra race cars, and perhaps even some of the later Shelby Mustangs. Pure speculation on my part though.

I was going to go the 'original' route, but just couldn't hold back on the modern things (like heated seats, carbon fiber, powder coating, chrome, polished aluminum, perl paint...).

The very first Cobra to roll into the US was pearl yellow.

 

I was going to go the 'original' route, but just couldn't hold back on the modern things (like heated seats, carbon fiber, powder coating, chrome, polished aluminum, perl paint...).

 

How about the small, glass tube type fuse panel on the firewall? It wouldn't have to be functional...

 

move the dash hoop back 3/4-1" to look more original.

 

I kicked around the idea of a thread like this, but in the end I gave up. The truth is Cobra's were not built in any standard way. There are plenty of "original" cars with unpainted side vents, and there are cars with chrome this & that. There are cars converted to S/C specs with street dashes, and there are even cars with bolt-on wheels. There are cars with stripes, no stripes and custom paint too. Even the bodies changed frequently. There are nearly as many differences in original cars as there are in todays cars - with the exception of certain materials & methods - and the number of cars grows every day. Of course, we can lay aside some extreme cases, but I say: If you want to build an original "looking" car, then adopt what you like & leave the rest behind. Adopt ideas from both original street & competiton cars. Adopt ideas from 289 cobras as well as 427's. Hell, about a third of the people I run into think my car "is" original, and another third don't even know what it is: "Hey, is that a Viper?" One things for sure: No one will ever take my FFR chassis from me! It's far superior to any "original."

 

Gotta love it!!!

 

Hey, that's my uncles car!

 

^ Hey, I have one of those expansion tanks!

 

Shorter roll bar, I would add thinner tube and angled backwards, but that is quite a task & safety would/might suffer. Possibly hood vents? I know many of the race prepped originals had these. Shelby name plates. Shelby emblems (front, back & sides). Clear front running lights.

 

Running Lights

.... Clear front running lights.

Here is CSX 3016 racing at Sebring 1966
Note AMBER running lights

Got any images of clear on CSX cars?

 

On the few originals that I have seen ;

1) electric fuel pump is inside the trunk on the driver's side trunk wall

2) spare tire "well" in the trunk floor

 

Its nice to see that there are others like me that actually know what a real Cobra looks like and want to replicate it. Not to take anything away from many builders on this site, but I really feel that a Cobra should not have high back racing seats, dual roll bars, 3" thick full length roll bars, Funky colored dashes and upholstery. Those who have opted to go the modern approach are certainly entitled to build what ever they want but I feel the soul of a Cobra is it simplicity and I will stick to this approach when building my car. When it comes to looks like that of Cobra I feel that you cannot improve on it because it is the quintessential sports car. OH YA ... and I feel the worst thing Factory Five did to their cars is build a mile high roll bar hoop. Thats why mine will be cut down to the proper height.

 

Its nice to see that there are others like me that actually know what a real Cobra looks like and want to replicate it. Not to take anything away from many builders on this site, but I really feel that a Cobra should not have high back racing seats, dual roll bars, 3" thick full length roll bars, Funky colored dashes and upholstery. Those who have opted to go the modern approach are certainly entitled to build what ever they want but I feel the soul of a Cobra is it simplicity and I will stick to this approach when building my car. When it comes to looks like that of Cobra I feel that you cannot improve on it because it is the quintessential sports car. OH YA ... and I feel the worst thing Factory Five did to their cars is build a mile high roll bar hoop. Thats why mine will be cut down to the proper height.

and amen.

 

Would a carb be more period correct if you really wanted an "Authentic" look? The fuel rails are a dead give away.

 

Old Snake

Is that an old leaf-over front suspension? Were those 260's?

 

Is that an old leaf-over front suspension? Were those 260's?

Yes, 260 at first, then 289's.

Referring to Todd Buttrick's image:

From Don at Computerworks:

Leaf Spring Cobras:
260 ci engine Street Cars - 62
260 ci engine Factory Works racers - 4
260 ci engine Factory-prepared racers - 1
260 ci engine Independently-prepared racers - 7
260 ci engine Dragonsnake - 1
Total 260 ci engine production - 75

289 ci engine Street Cars - 453
289 ci engine Factory Works racers:
-Standard Competition - 2
-Sebring race cars - 3
-LeMans race cars - 2
-LeMans replica racers - 3
-427 Prototype Flip-Top - 1
-289 FIA cars - 5
-Daytona Coupes - 6
-USSRC Roadsters - 6
Total 289 ci Works race cars - 28

289 ci engine Factory-prepared competition cars:
-Standard Competition - 2
-LeMans prototype - 1
-LeMans replicas - 3
-USRRC roadsters - 5
Total Factory prepared competition cars - 11

289 ci engine Independently prepared competition cars - 21
289 ci engine Dragonsnakes - 4
289 ci engine bare chassis for Mercer Cobra - 1
289 ci engine Willment Racing Coupe - 1
289 ci engine COB/COX Street Cars - 59
289 ci engine COB/COX Race Cars - 2
Total 289 ci engine Cobra - 580

Total Leaf Spring Cobra 260 & 289 cars - 655

The balance 343 to total 998 Cobras (not counting Paramount's 5) were all coil spring.

 

I mentioned this before.
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175364
Must have a carb with 4 into 4 headers. 15" Halibrand wheels.

 

You guys aren't going to be happy with my graduation pics.....

Not very authentic.....

O'yeah....I remember something on Dream Car Garage about the inside of the fender wells and the top inside of the doors. I am sure someone else will remember more. I don't know if the problem can be corrected (whatever it is) with a fiberglass body.

Later
Bart

 

The clue on Dream Car Garage was to feel for the aluminum wrapped and riveted around the inside of the wheel wells. Could be simulated with a rolled edge, 1/2" tubing bonded in and some rivet heads.
I opted for a 428 FE and Smith's gauges. It was surprising the number of people who would comment on my car being original, parked next to other FF5's and Superformance cars. It was painted titanium silver and definately a driver.

 

Dry sump oil tank filler cap?

 

Yes, that is a dry sump car. Very expensive option at the time $2000 additional in 60's dollars and very rare today. -John

 

You should talk to Hoofa...

I believe he is building an authentic Cobra

:lol::devil2: