Kobra build

[Markyb1964]

I started the build in April so I am actually a fair way into it. Just drip feeding the build and how it went. So the rear end! After spending 2 weekends and most evenings I decided to walk away from it and start on something else. So I drove her out of the garage with the rear end hanging on wirh 2 bolts.
Done the whole build on my tod but did need a neighbour to help me extract the front end from my dining room and lay it over the front end. Told him just to lay ir over front so I could fiddle around with fixing it
So i gingerly lifted it from the front and the bolts in the kit had gone straight into the existing holes in the BMW bonnet hinges and the front end lifted up! Quickly got the nuts and bolted it up. Resultttt

Stadard kit car makers piece of wood

 

[Markyb1964]

Time to start cutting the kit again indicators in,headlight holes cut out and bonnet scoop hole cut out

headlights fitted but not wired yet, just test fit to take out again for painting.

 

[Slam]

Looking good

 

[Markyb1964]

The front end isn't fitting perfectly in relation to the doors and the sills but its fixed in place and there is some adjustment that can be made with the existing bonnet hinges.
But for now I am going to revisit the rear end and see if I can get it to an acceptable fit.
Here's the problem.

The kit is sitting higher than the existing Z3 panel.
There are some vertical lugs underneath on the kit so a bit of fettling of them and some chopping off of the rear extension panel and I have improved it. Not perfect but a vast improvement.
The rear end bolts either side just inside the door slam like the Z3s wings you have to fix the rear also by having L brackets just under the last pic and screw them into the Z3 panel in the boot then tiger seal the top of the brackets so they are touching the underside of the rear end.
To pull this panel down and make it more flush with the existing panel I used something I haven't used for years! The weights off of my weight lifting bar and dumbbells, I knew I kept them for a reason .
So 100kg sitting on top of the rear end and walk away for a couple of days to let the tiger seal go off.
A much needed couple of days off as several times I have wanted to kill the car and it has tried to kill me! I have called her Christine!

 

[DaveP]

The front end isn't fitting perfectly in relation to the doors and the sills but its fixed in place and there is some adjustment that can be made with the existing bonnet hinges.
But for now I am going to revisit the rear end and see if I can get it to an acceptable fit.
Here's the problem.
View attachment 81922 View attachment 81923 View attachment 81924 View attachment 81925
The kit is sitting higher than the existing Z3 panel.
There are some vertical lugs underneath on the kit so a bit of fettling of them and some chopping off of the rear extension panel and I have improved it. Not perfect but a vast improvement.
The rear end bolts either side just inside the door slam like the Z3s wings you have to fix the rear also by having L brackets just under the last pic and screw them into the Z3 panel in the boot then tiger seal the top of the brackets so they are touching the underside of the rear end.
To pull this panel down and make it more flush with the existing panel I used something I haven't used for years! The weights off of my weight lifting bar and dumbbells, I knew I kept them for a reason .
So 100kg sitting on top of the rear end and walk away for a couple of days to let the tiger seal go off.
A much needed couple of days off as several times I have wanted to kill the car and it has tried to kill me! I have called her Christine!

Well done so far. It’s the hardest bit of the build my gap is still a bit ghit but have accepted it for now. You are on the way though I used 4-6 spare Z3 wheels Richard had knocking about. And sikaflex gets every where ;(

 

[Markyb1964]

Well done so far. It’s the hardest bit of the build my gap is still a bit ghit but have accepted it for now. You are on the way though I used 4-6 spare Z3 wheels Richard had knocking about. And sikaflex gets every where ;(

Hahahaha yeah I was covered in it. Panel wipe got most of it off!

 

[Markyb1964]

So before I fixed the rear end I was presented with this problem.

Zero shut line!
So rather than taking some material off of the back face of the kit and weakening it I got the persuader out and knocked the panel of the Z3 that the kit fits to in the door slam and moved it backwards by a couple of a mm.
Job done nice shut line.

 

[DaveP]

Nice lines so far Mark. When all is fixed in position using a fat man sitting on the wing while you do the bolts up. You can recheck the lines. Don’t forget to leave room for pant thickness ( you already knew this but just in case ) my shuts are about 4mm. I decided that whatever they are at the front of the door the back could and should match. So that means getting the rear as correct as you can then when the bonnet is on and in place take another look.

(If you don’t want this sort of advice on here or at all I’m happy to step back)

Trying to help but don’t want to step on toes

Dave

 

[Markyb1964]

Nice lines so far Mark. When all is fixed in position using a fat man sitting on the wing while you do the bolts up. You can recheck the lines. Don’t forget to leave room for pant thickness ( you already knew this but just in case ) my shuts are about 4mm. I decided that whatever they are at the front of the door the back could and should match. So that means getting the rear as correct as you can then when the bonnet is on and in place take another look.

(If you don’t want this sort of advice on here or at all I’m happy to step back)

Trying to help but don’t want to step on toes

Dave

Cheers Dave advice is good but yeah been playing with cars for over 40 years but you can still learn. Some gaps just are what they are just have to get em as good as you can. I am not happy with the front end fit atm and theres no more adjustment left without some hinge mods

 

[Markyb1964]

Windscreen washers fitted and taken back off
Boot lid, lock and number plate light fitted

I have become very attached to that piece of wood

 

[DaveP]

I’ve still got mine (old wood boot prop) as stopped working on the car for a short time (real work gets in the way)

Good work Mark

 

[Markyb1964]

Ok so I am.going to skip forward a few weeks. Anyone that wants some pics of the build in between just ask. So its taken me 2 months to find a sprayer and finally found a descent bloke. So Saturday morning was D Day to get her on the truck and moved to the spray booth. Bloke picking car up said phone Friday and we will arrange a time. Took Friday off to get car as prepped as possible for paint. Luckily I used to have my own business spraying cars. Phoned bloke about ten times Friday no answer. So panick kicks in! Phoned about 20 revovery firms who couldnt do it then the elusive bloke phones me saying I have loads of missed calls from you. I said yeah its Mark with the Kobra kit that you are moving tomorrow morning. Silence! You remember? No mate you phoned me up weeks ago! And I am away this weekend! You are joking me right? I only contacted you last Friday! Phone down after a few expletives! So now I am considering driving it, its only 4 miles! Uhm rnd Brightons one way system no lights no plates! Best not. Mate of a mate of a mate came through for me cost me over double for one way than previous for 2 ways! Pick up bloke was brill even turning up early. So loaded up on his wagon

Off to the paint shop.

Spent the whole day there as they said to cut costs I could do most of the work.
6pm needs a couple of areas to be skimmed and re shaped on the kit then its on with the primer. Will be going thete every night after work and all weekend!


Please dont ask what colour! I hsvent got a clue yet lol. Open to suggestions but I wsrn you have thought of the whole spectrum!
Spent Sunday laid up in pain as have a degenerative disease in my spine and crawling rnd car didnt help it! Cant walk today. Hey ho car is nearly ready for primer

 

[Ianmc]

An exciting time.Is the glass coming out before paint?

 

[Markyb1964]

No, it's only the screen and the rubber around it is very plyable and easy to pull back and mask. Might be going chrome surround anyway if I can find one!
Lowering advice more than welcome

 

[mrscalex]

Great Mohican on that shot with the car on the recovery truck. Haven’t seen a haircut like that in years.

Is that you or the recovery truck driver?

 

[Markyb1964]

Hahahaha never noticed that its the delivery driver and its a palm tree just behind his head

 

[5harp3y]

No, it's only the screen and the rubber around it is very plyable and easy to pull back and mask. Might be going chrome surround anyway if I can find one!
Lowering advice more than welcome

Eibach 30mm lowering springs and some bilstein shocks

compliant and low enough

 

[Geophys]

To me the best cobras are either burgundy or dark blue, but that's just me.

 

[Markyb1964]

Eibach 30mm lowering springs and some bilstein shocks

compliant and low enough

Thanks

 

[Markyb1964]

To me the best cobras are either burgundy or dark blue, but that's just me.

Love the dark blue it's my fall back colour