WANTED: Cobra Bodywork

[OBR]

Hi,

As it would appear that a few people on here have Cobras, i've seen some lovely examples I was just wondering whether anyone knows of any bodywork that might be for sale.

I've contacted most of the manufacturers who have been great offering some good deals, however as I plan to make a few modifications I don't need anything that nice so an old, tatty, crash damaged body would be great.

Again I know its a long shot but if you do know of anything please let me know.

Thanks

Olly

[Cob68]

Hi Olly, have you looked at the one on eBay, it a New Sumo body for £1295. Cheers Tony

[OBR]

Hi Tony,

I have seen those, do you know anyone who has used one?

Although a kit like that would be great, i'd feel a bit bad buying something in lovely new gelcoat and then hacking it about.

I have a Cobra specialist with a damaged who is going to get some pics over but just thought it was worth a quick post.

How long have you had yours?

Thanks

Olly

[Dixie]

Just be careful with the width/length of the Cobra.

Most use STD Sierra/Cortina or Modified Jag running gear, so your Dutton chassis will need to be widened to fit, plus I expect your Melos uses a "Live" axle.  The IRS rear set up for a Sumo may require you to think a bit.  Personally I prefer a live axle.  Also I expect the centres between the wheels (Front/Back) will make extending the chassis a requirement.  The "Crossflow" engine you have in the Melos just won't do in a Cobra, at least a V6 is a requirement, or look at a Rover V8, but these are quite large but strangely lighter than a 2Lr Pinto.  So a few things to look at.  Your V5 is for the Melos and its body, it will probably show it as a Dutton.  A re-body to a Cobra is fraut with problems, the main one being IVA.  If your V5 shows a Dutton and the car looks like a Cobra, don't be surprised when the Police with thier ANPR systems pull you over and impound the car.  I would bet a serious amount of cash and state that a re-bodied Melos will not pass a Cobra IVA.  But one thing I have learnt about the kit car industry is that there are some very clever engineers out there, so I also wouldn't be surprised if you did manage it.

As someone who has built a Cobra, I am happy to give any advice needed.

Hairysanta, Tony Searle and myself have all built Cobra's so the technology is here within the club.

Regards Mark

[OBR]

HI Mark,

Thanks for that, I was a bit dubious about the 'rebody' as its a fair old task and didn't know where I would stand V5 wise.

I was told that it is possible for a car with a separate chassis to change the 'body style' on the V5 without having to do a full IVA.  I haven't checked this out and to be honest if the cobra idea causes too much hassle I will probably just modify the Dutton into a seven style kit and concentrate more on the mechanicals.

As for the actual body I would be keen to get some overall dimensions if you wouldn't mind, in order to see how far off I would be.  My original plan was to buy a cobra body and then section it so that the front would be easily removable for maintenance, the centre then fixed (as with most sports/GT cars) and then the rear could also be removed.  This would then allow me to modify the lengths of the body to fit the chassis.

Again I might be landing myself in a whole load of hassle, and certainly wouldn't even start the cobra stage without checking that it would be legal but even as a Dutton should be a bit of cheap fun that I can come and meet up with you guys and have  a bit of a tinker with!

[Hairy Santa]

you might have a prob also at MOT time

says Dutton - looks like Cobra, same as says Seirra looks like Cobra ( will be probs in the future) getting tougher as the years roll by

down to the testers, as they dont want to lose their licences

if you want a Cobra build one  - I can start you off with a complete donor kit (jag) with V5 , chassis come up quite a lot, so do bodies, prob get all the bits you will need over a period of time for one third of the price they sell for - well on your way

food for thought     

[OBR]

Thats a fair point.

I'll see how I stand DVLA wise, as i'm sure they will want to make their money by sending me the IVA route, even if it would never pass!

[Dixie]

Hi.

Because you already have a Q plate, you cannot re-body it.

The current fashion in re-bodies such as MR2's in to Ferrari's etc such as the DNA 360 only works due to the donor being a non Q plate.

If you look at the bottom of the V5 it will probably say "Made from other parts"

Your best bet is to make the Dutton into a "Sevenesque" type car.

If you want a Cobra, I agree with Pete, buy a cheap kit that someone has got bored with.  Will be much easier and cheaper.

M

[OBR]

Now that makes sense!

The friend that told me about rebodying was more into 4x4's and that type of thing which I did wonder might be different.

Thanks for clearing it up though.  Out of interest, as mine only says Dutton on the logbook, and therefore could I believe be a Melos, Sierra, Phaeton etc what is the restriction on what it looks like.  For example it seems funny that as long as it will pass a test that I can look like a any number of cars, as long as it doesn't look like a cobra! 

I am starting to apreciate the Melos looks, although I wonder whether it might look better with aero screens and a more 'brooklands racer' type look to it?  Has anyone done anything like this before?  I assume I need to keep the covered wheels but otherwise imagine it might look ok due to the big rounded back end.

[Hairy Santa]

Hi.

Because you already have a Q plate, you cannot re-body it.

The current fashion in re-bodies such as MR2's in to Ferrari's etc such as the DNA 360 only works due to the donor being a non Q plate.

If you look at the bottom of the V5 it will probably say "Made from other parts"

Your best bet is to make the Dutton into a "Sevenesque" type car.

If you want a Cobra, I agree with Pete, buy a cheap kit that someone has got bored with.  Will be much easier and cheaper.

M

Like this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COBRA-REPLICA-PROJECT-/170651733662?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27bba2ce9e

[OBR]

Christ, thats a bit of a beast.

I agree that an unfinished project will be best, especially with an engine like that one!

[Dixie]

Now that makes sense!

The friend that told me about rebodying was more into 4x4's and that type of thing which I did wonder might be different.

Thanks for clearing it up though.  Out of interest, as mine only says Dutton on the logbook, and therefore could I believe be a Melos, Sierra, Phaeton etc what is the restriction on what it looks like.  For example it seems funny that as long as it will pass a test that I can look like a any number of cars, as long as it doesn't look like a cobra! 

I am starting to apreciate the Melos looks, although I wonder whether it might look better with aero screens and a more 'brooklands racer' type look to it?  Has anyone done anything like this before?  I assume I need to keep the covered wheels but otherwise imagine it might look ok due to the big rounded back end.

That should be ok, because the V5 discription is a bit "Wooly" and only says Dutton, who will know any differant if you change the body slightly.  As long as the chassis number and engine numbers and colour match the V5, all should be ok.