Latest update on the Kobra build.

I sent (mad) max off to the paint-shop finally in November and here are some pics of it before paint.

As I had rattle canned in matt black for the summer that had to come off again. It took a bit of elbow grease and sanders but got there.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4906/...d9cfdc9c_c.jpgKobra before paint 1 by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4837/...224c0b3a_c.jpgKobra before paint 2 by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4816/...14616348_c.jpgKobra before paint 3 by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/...7e441900_c.jpgKobra before paint 4 by Muddy_B, on Flickr

Next post will have the pics of the car after paint.

Dave

quick prep pics
 

Oh here are a couple of pics of the Kobra in prep stage. Of course there were quite a few improvements needed to my gapping and panel fit.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/...e7d9c710_c.jpgKobra in prep by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4856/...34b00c2a_c.jpgKobra rear in filler by Muddy_B, on Flickr

Onto pics of the painted car

I liked the matt black too. The front end looks better since you removed the moulded in front spoiler, I've only just noticed in these latest photo's. Also like the banded steels, they set the car off surprisingly well, no need for expensive alloys.

Kobra in paint - it is not purple!
 

So in the end i decided to go with a different colour. I wanted to keep the kobra looking a older style so chose flat paint.

I could not go blue with a white stripe as it's not 427 style.
I fancied a silver or gun-metal but had seen quite a few that colour.
There is a nice white (with blue stripe) already about and pure black was asking for trouble in the long run.

So red it is. The shade is mid-life-crisis red.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4857/...4775d0fe_c.jpgKobra by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4811/...621afb0e_c.jpgKobra rear by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4805/...16fd9824_c.jpgKobra front top by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4817/...7a3e1cb8_c.jpgKobra front straight on by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4876/...3c796cba_c.jpgKobra side on by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/...98f8dd97_c.jpgKobra rear quarters by Muddy_B, on Flickr

moody shots and a b-w to finish off.
 

The build is complete (?) for now. I would like to tweak the interior a little.

I have already changed the back luggage area to a non roll-hoop one and intend to swap the seats for something with removable head rests later on.

Its taken me a year to complete since buying the kit. That said I think if I had been more efficient that could be turned into 3-4 months.

I am pleased with what I have and that is pretty much all that counts.

Dave

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/...ae397298_c.jpgKobra front quarters by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4861/...ccf6aaaa_c.jpgKobra Rear moody by Muddy_B, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/...616b1e77_c.jpgFront B/w by Muddy_B, on Flickr

And so you should be- very nicely done.

I'll be interested to hear about the seat swap and seat belt replacement- I want to go low-back with mine too and the Cobra style is the most authentic I've seen.

Fantastic!

cheers gents. good feedback is always welcome.

I sort of miss the matt black but it was a temporary thing.

The seats I choose might not be cobra-esque as i want head-rests so will probably be stealing some leathers out of another two-seater (just need to fnd ones that fit).

I could go aftermarket and may do so. Some real leather would be nice though :)

@Lucky thanks - I wanted to make mine individual to me and when looking at the development thread a few years back always liked it before the front splitter was introduced. I prefer the 289 / ACE feel so this gets me closer to it. The bandeds were on my wish list after seeing the dunlops look-a-likes on a couple of the 250SWBs here. So steels it was - but just had to work out the offsets and rims to begin with as a starting point. They were cheaper than alloys but after the banding process not by a huge margin. There are no spacers though which is pleasing.

Are they ever finished though ?

I like the 289 shape, I owned a KD 289 replica about 20 years ago. A bit of a rarity, they were Ford Escort based, mine had a 2.8 V6. I'll try and find a photo to post.

How about mob seats. Of the era, can be all leather or half leather, with or without headrests (2 official styles, but could easily be modified to disks etc). I am going to do that with the Z3gato. £500 all in, new foam pads, half leather. Jagtvr says they bolt to the Z3 runners, so all adjustments work and you can add aftermarket seat heating pads. What is not to like?

Sounds like that gets round the seat belt problem. The MG Owners Club is based in Abingdon- about 1.5 miles from me. I might take a wander round there to see what they have.

I fancy the mgf / mgtf seats as long as they are not too deep in the buttocks area.

They are full leather and as they are for a small car should fit. Wish I knew someone with a set to try out for size. Ideally I’d want them to fit on the Z3 runners to keep all the necessary electrickery in place.

So if you can talk nicely to an owner Ian that would be grand. Perhaps loan some dirty old cloth seats if such things exist.

Dave

You can buy frames on eBay for less than £40, sell them on if not suitable.

I was hoping to ditch that on mine- isn't it all rather heavy?
Plus the driver seat motor pulls 10A when I put the fuse back in.

Not as many MGBs around in Abingdon as there used to be. I don't know anyone who has one so I may have to go to the MGOC under cover.

I seem to rember that William fitted MGF seats in cream leather and they looked very good.

I have only place the MGB seats on the Z3 base but it should be simple to make a bracket to fit them. I have bought all new seat foams, base and backboard and am having covers made. Won't be ready until end of January. Heated pads have also been bought very cheaply from China as well.
I replaced the webbing style base with the full rubber diaphragm type as I think they give more support and last longer.

Car looks great all painted up!

And the de-spoilered look really suits it.

Thanks very much for the positive feedback.

I like it too :)

Dave – A belated congratulations on the paint, the red bodywork with black wheels looks great. :cool:

Enjoy, Paul. :)

I always liked the look of the Tribute Kobra. I know its not a full blown like for like replica but neither are the more regular Cobra kits past a present. How many real cobra's featured a GRP body, Rover or Chevy engine etc etc, none !
For an entry level, value for money kit I think they are great.

Thanks gents again.

Paul L I know it never went purple but hey. Perhaps the next one :icon_razz:

The Kobra is what I needed. I have neither the funds, skill, space and tools for a full on kit. This gets me as close to the car I want at the level I am happy with.

I love all the other threads and cars being built on here.

Merry Xmas to all of you. Here’s to lots of IVA/SVA/MOT passes in 2019.

Dave