Cobra History - Real and Replica

[beachcomber]

Thanx guys,
but that info has gone straight over my head - pasting ??????

Maybe that should be instructions for a 2 year old.

Re: the 2 "new" Cobs -


The Merc. powered version is primarily for the German market.

The Mercedes based car has magnesium hub uprights all round and Porsche calipers.
It is based on a successful German car that normally runs Chevy power.

The idea of this one is to go through the "proper" channels and obtain correct German documentation. The tried and tested "old method" is basically out of the window now.

The BMW powered version is based on a well known "one marque" race series Cob and is predominantly aimed at Track Day events, but is certainly capable of being made "street legal". A certain Carroll Shelby has also driven the original "one make" car around Le Mans. Pete Brock and Bob Bondurant also drove the car at Le Mans and were VERY complimentary [ as was Shelby ]. They were sufficiently impressed that Shelby ordered a development mule [ Caddy "Northstar" ] to be built and sent to Shelby American for "evaluation".

This one is based on Beemer 3 / 5 series components - in fact almost a "single donor" principle.

Strut IFS and wishbone IRS, discs all round and virtually all of the mechanicals from your friendly [ cheap ] Beemer salesrep wagon. Donors around £300 - £400 and with the possibility of "M" tech power [ !!!! ] a very nice little lightweight package.

Both cars have progressed through the pre-production stage and it is envisaged that the BMW version will hit the showroom floor in the next 6 months and the Merc. version early next year. Both of these cars will hit the ground running as both are based on tried and tested [ and successful ] older models. However, both cars have undergone a complete mechanical makeover to bring them up to date with today's technology. The Beemer version also features a very clever "mix and match" ability with scoops, ducts, brake coolers etc. where the customer can specify which or all of the features he wants in the finished body.

BOTH cars are from companies with more than 25 years in the industry and a long history with Cob replicas.

Now then, 2 year old instructions to post pix please !!

Beachcomber

[cobraeddie]

Great reading. I really get into past history. This is better than books!!

Across the Pond
Mark

[beachcomber]

Some time ago I posted how I brought in Steve Arntz kits via my old buddy Keith Harvie of Performance Automotive Wholesale.
This was late 70's.
However, this wasn't my first foray into Cob reps.
Some years previously I managed a Company called "Deals on Wheels" and opened a branch in Birmingham - followed a year later with my own US Speedshop "Muscle City".
We specialised in US muscle cars and "Hot Rods". Soon we were importing speed equipment [ from Keith naturally ] as well as complete Muscle cars [ oh yes and Custom Vans! ].

We were approached in mid '76 by some guys in Birmingham who made waste oil heaters [?] to produce a chassis for a "body" they had.
When we went along to see what they had to offer, we were shown the front and rear sections of a 427 Cob! Front and rear half - hmmmm, where have we heard that one before?
Anyway - long story short. I designed a chassis based on their body parts and we went into prototype mode based on a mutually advantagious deal.
They then got cold feet [ should have stood nearer to their waste oil heaters ha,ha,ha. ] and pulled out of the deal.
That's when I contacted Keith to ask him to find out about the Arntz kits as we were getting nowhere with our Brummie mates.
So that's what basically got the whole idea off the ground - the rest is History.

I have to say that after 30 + years of involvement with Cob Reps. I was getting a bit jaded. I know, hard to believe isn't it?
However that was up until last year. After 3 years of not too brilliant health, I found myself finally fit [ 'ish] and looking for a new challenge.
That's when I got together with the present BMW Trophy project and my enthusiasm was rekindled.
The trouble is with traditional Cob reps that when you've been involved with them for so long they become almost "normal". There's only SO much you can do with a traditional rep to make it stand out. Any well designed , well made rep is pretty much the same as any other - Gerry's 289's being a refreshing and quality option.
So when I was acquainted with the new Trophy I was at once intrigued and strangely - excited!
I HAD been involved in the original Bardahl Trophy Race Series, and after that ran it's course, the Trophy design went into mothballs. But like any good idea, it kept "bubbling up" in conversation as a "what if" scenario.

Well, you know how it goes, "what ifs" soon become "if we's" and before you know it, you've started off on the redesign and gathering the relevant parts.
Before you know it there's a rolling chassis sitting on the floor and a pile of BMW donors out in the compound!
So - where's it at? Chassis developed with new BMW components, engine and manual box developed and fitted. Body refitted and - surprise surprise - the Beemer fits in with hardly any changes being required. and now about 8 weeks away from the pre-production car being finished.
That's the LONGEST gestation for any car - full circle from 1976 - with a fair few hundred kits and cars in between [ make that well in excess of 1000 ] - a one make Race Series, an endorsement - and now a new and totally revamped beginning for an old concept.
Yep, the good ole hot rodders are at it again - throw the rule book away and re-write your own version.

Beachcomber

[dolphinboy400]

i cant wait to see it , sounds really interesting It's also good to know that after all these years you are still involved one way or another. Keep the stories/updates coming beachcomber !