65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: elagache on March 24, 2017, 11:13:53 AM
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Dear mid-60s Buick car guys,
At Orinda Motors yesterday was a very unique version of the Superformance Cobra replicas (http://www.superformance.com/). This had a clear aluminum skin with only painted stripes:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-T6dDxPs/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20replica%20-%20port-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-T6dDxPs/A)
Here's the back:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-jTS34ps/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20replica%20-%20back-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-jTS34ps/A)
Here is the photo I could get of the front:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-QRR3N7w/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20replica%20-%20front-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-QRR3N7w/A)
It was so shiny that my camera couldn't handle it. Finally here is a quick view of the dash:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-bcv87TF/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20replica%20-%20dash-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-bcv87TF/A)
Definitely not a Buick but still very cool! :glasses9:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Absolutely stunning! Looks like it's going 100 mph in the picture.
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Neat car. Actually think the skin originally is the texture of the stripes and the remainder of the car is polished.
Dan
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Cool car, but we need the answer to the $64,000.00 question. What's under the bonnet?? :laughing7:
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Those look great. I saw one on the Power Tour one year, very nice!
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Dear Kevin, Dan, Tom, Jim, and mid-60s Buick fans of cool cars, . . . . :glasses9:
Cool car, but we need the answer to the $64,000.00 question. What's under the bonnet?? :laughing7:
What did the Cobra originally come with? Yes, it is a reproduction Ford 427 cid V-8 just as Carroll Shelby originally intended!
Cheers, Edouard
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Dear Kevin, Dan, Tom, Jim, and mid-60s Buick fans of cool cars, . . . . :glasses9:
Cool car, but we need the answer to the $64,000.00 question. What's under the bonnet?? :laughing7:
What did the Cobra originally come with? Yes, it is a reproduction Ford 427 cid V-8 just as Carroll Shelby originally intended!
Cheers, Edouard
The 427 was a later addition to the AC Cobra. When Carroll Shelby first built them, he used the venerable 260 and 289 small blocks. Nevertheless, those early cars had an excellent power to weight ratio. The 427 was just overkill, but it really made them a legend.
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I'm waiting for our resident subject matter expert (SME) to chime in. Maybe even post a couple pictures.....
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I agree Kevin. I thought that he would add some input by now. Pictures are always nice.
Glenn
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Sorry to be tardy to the party. I'm on vacation in Outer Banks, NC.
Edouard is correct on the history of powerplants in the Shelby Cobras. The originals with the 260 and 289 engines were what they called "slab side" bodies. Very flat on the sides and minimal fender flares. When they added the 427 FE side-oiler, the body took on its more familiar muscular shape with the generous fender flares and the vents in the front fenders.
These days, there is a wide variety of engines that are offered in the replicas. While some still sell the 427 big-block side-oilers, many choose small blocks. Everything from original 289 to 427 CID from the Ford Windsor small block.
I'm not sure, but I think that most if not all of the aluminum bodies now being sold are made by Kirkham Motorsports in Utah. http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/ (http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/) And I think their bodies are hand made by craftsmen in Poland. I haven't looked into them in several years, but if I was in the market for a new Cobra Replica, Kirkham would be my first choice.
Mine is a fiberglas body, unfaithful replica. I call it a street rod that looks like a Cobra. Bigger flares on the rear fenders, totally different interior, one-piece double roll bar and 521 CID V8 (stroked 460). I would do it differently if I were to redo it, but I've moved on to Buicks now! :icon_thumright:
Pictures attached. Take a look and think of how many people comment on the car. Most think it's a Mustang.... :BangHead:
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Chuck,
Where in OBX? That area is our second "home."
Mark
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Southern Shores. Just north of the BP station on 12. Rum Runner
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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Nice. Haven't been north on 12 from 158 for a few years.
Mark
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Dear Chuck, Mark, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
Sorry to be tardy to the party. I'm on vacation in Outer Banks, NC.
I hope you had a great time!
Mine is a fiberglas body, unfaithful replica. I call it a street rod that looks like a Cobra.
Perhaps not a faithful replica, nonetheless it looks very nice and . . . . I'm sure it is a blast to drive!
I would do it differently if I were to redo it, but I've moved on to Buicks now! :icon_thumright:
And we are all so much better because of it! :thumbsup:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Dear mid-60s Buick car guys,
The Superformance Cobra was inside at Orinda Motors yesterday which made it much easier to photograph. Here are a few more views without the extreme reflections:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-WvsBNDQ/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20-%20port%20front-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-WvsBNDQ/A)
Here's the front:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-MBdJNsk/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20-%20front-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-MBdJNsk/A)
Here is the passenger side:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-6cr37D2/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20-%20starboard%20front-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-6cr37D2/A)
Finally here is the back:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-Dk3wVHH/0/XL/Superformance%20Cobra%20-%20back-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/ClassicandCustomAutomobiles/Classic-cars-at-large/Superformance-Cobra-replica/i-Dk3wVHH/A)
Last I heard it was in to have its radiator fan control replaced with a properly wired one. When the car was assembled, whoever did it simply wired the control to keep the fans running all the time and didn't even install a thermostat!
Cheers, Edouard