fibreglass body fitting on chassis
 

Hi everyone. Im new to this scene of cars especially fibre glass. Have an Ac Cobra body that wish to fit on a Tata Sierra chassis but dont know what steps i should make to make things right.

It has no floor and what i only know is that it needs a skeleton inside to keep body in place and fixed to chassis. Any help will do.

Attachment 3774

accobra - Welcome to the forum. :cool:

Before answering your framework question, can I just ask how you are planning to make this car road legal?

Are you intending to use the "rebody" rules, or take the finished car for an IVA test?

As the answer to that question will influence the answer to your framework question.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The following Sammios (see separate sub-forum on here) have all gone down the rebody route.

Which means the internal framework can only be bolted to the chassis, not welded to it.

This is Mister Towed's bodywork on the outside:

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psmi9mdszj.jpg

Underneath he has a cut down Triumph Herald bulkhead, some simple framework and home made floors.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...lion/006-3.jpg

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Whereas, Oxford1360 took the same external body work and modified it to do this.

http://www.thewebsofa.com/carpics/f312.jpg

And changed the internal framework completely until it looked like this.

http://www.thewebsofa.com/carpics/f330.jpg

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am still building my Sammio, which is a different model to the ones above and that now looks like this on the outside.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xA...=w1154-h865-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_d...=w1154-h865-no

And I have ended up with my own Frankenstein creation of various Triumph Spitfire, Sammio Cordite & home made framework parts underneath.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/DSCF4542.JPG

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hopefully this shows there is no single correct way to approach this, other than make sure it is solid and safe.

Note: In the case of all three cars above, the fibreglass body shell is bonded to the internal framework and not connected to the chassis directly.

Hope that helps and good luck, Paul. :)

Wow paul. This is a very good reply. I want to make a rebody but eventually it will end up with an SVA test.

What i am thinking is to do a safe cockpit bolted to the chassis and bonding the bidy to it. Still have to discuss with my engineer regard what really has to be done.

Reg J

Reg - This thread might be worth a read if you are planning an IVA test.

As the key thing seems to be build it to pass, not modify it to pass after you have already built it!

http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/top...gh-biva-405393

There is an American Cobra replica made by Factory Five Racing that looks like this.

http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-conten...ster/mk4_1.jpg

Underneath the fibreglass body work is a purpose made chassis that looks like this.

http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-conten...1/IMG_1017.jpg

Although you can get a better idea of what it looks like on this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZJPr2oEdTA

Cheers, Paul. :)

Well my body may be for sale because seems things will get very expensive!! Will sell for €2500 + shipping

Reg - If you want the look of a Cobra, but without the hassle of IVA…

Have you seen the Tribute Kobra?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...o/%2524_57.JPG

This uses a selection of fibreglass body panels that fit directly onto a stripped, but unmodified, BMW Z3 donor car.
( Therefore no IVA required. :cool: )

Note: I didn't mention it before, as your question was based on the body shell you already had.

More details here:
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...?t=4623&page=2

Hope that helps, Paul. :)

That windscreen is a NO NO!

Nice! That looks stunning

I agree accobra! The windscreen is a no no for me too. I do like look-alikes that are based on shapes that are less iconic. But I know the curves (and windscreen) of a cobra inside out and this just doesn't sit well with me. Don't even get me started on the Karma/Magnum vw-based kit that is (loosely) based on the Ferrari Dino. I'm not even comfortable with the JH Classics new Dino kit because the curves and height of the rear just aren't right. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.