86 Pace

I definately like the look and the project, like others have stated keep us informed.

GREGGPENN

How do you get front/rear windows after changing their cutout width?

Great profile on the car!

jmc14

Concerning the glass.

The Kellison uses a 1947-1952 Studebaker windshield. The glass is flat and molded into a V shape. If I want to keep that look I can have laminated glass cut to full size and fab a jig to hold it. The glass can be heated until it takes the V shape. Or, use 2 separate pieces and have a narrow aluminum center post milled to the correct angle. Laminated glass is DOT legal and the glass shop can label it for me.

The other option I am looking at is a 1953 Studebaker windshield. It just happens to be 4 inches wider than the 52 glass. I think the height is very close. The 53 glass is not flat. It is curved. I will order 1 and see how it fits. Shaping the fiberglass body to fit the 53 glass would not be a problem.


The rear glass is the rear window from a 1948 Buick Roadmaster. I am looking at 3 options.

- cut around the windshield frame and piece it back together. I would fill in the 2 inches per side and blend it into the body.

- make a mold of the new larger opening. The mold would be matched to the contour of the body. From the the mold a polycarbonate window can be formed.

- I'm considering filling in the 4 inch gap in the window opening with a fiberglass strip. This would create a split window. The original Buick glass could be cut in the middle and split. Or the 2 pieces could be molded from polycarbonate.

yaknow

interesting project, keep us posted.

jmc14

I spent a few hours today on my project. Because I'm doing so many modifications to the body I've decided to use this body as a plug. Molds will be made so that I can have top quality, lightweight body.

Today I built a structure to support and position the body on the C4 chassis. Though not in the pictures I glued strips of wood that I made from some paneling that I had to the underside of the body where it was widened. This will provide the structure to hold body filler that I will use to fill the space.

I hope to have everything roughed in by Sunday. Then I'll take it to a friends body shop for body prep.

Having fun.

csthews

Who in the heck has the time, money and, more importanly, the skills to do this? Yes, I'm impressed. Yes, I'm a bit jealous. Yes, I want to see more. Thanks for sharing.

Vette Daddy

Nice project. Kudos.

It would be best to make a new mold of the areas of the body that were split and widened, otherwise you'll most likely have shrinkage on these panels, right down the middle at some point in the future. You would also be able to make new panels and sell them if someone else wanted to do the same type of C4 based project.

jmc14

Thank you for the comments and suggestions. Because of the extend of the modifications I am making molds for the entire new body and hood. I have a friend that owns a pretty large fiberglass products company. His company will make the molds and then the parts for me. I have a few friends and a son that wants one of these.

I am semi retired. I have an internet business: www.bigbellybanks.com to sell coin banks for kids that I invented. I doesn't make me rich but it lets me have the time to work on car projects. I have a passion for the old fiberglass sports/race cars of the 50's and 60's.

I've had this body for a number of years and a friend of mine gave me the C4 roller that I am fitting the body to. This gives me something to do during the winter. It's about having fun. A few years ago I built a frame to take C5 suspension and drivetrain. I fit a Cobra body to it. It's a great driver.

I didn't take pictures today but I filled in the window openings from the backside with thin plywood. This helps when making the molds and then laying up the body. Tomorrow I'll fit the door sills of the body to the C4 sills. When the body comes out of the mold it will slide over and rest on the sills.

mtwoolford

Personally I think it maybe more than mere passion, but I really appreciate your sharing your work with us. More pictures please ? Any of your Cobra ?

jmc14

You're probably right. It's more of a sickness that mere passion.

Here are a few pics of my Cobra. It's painted Vette Atomic Orange Effect. I've cleaned up the engine compartment since these pics were taken and routed the air cleaner to the front of the cradle. The engine is an LS6. Trans is a motor mounted Tremec T56. I designed an adapter and had made a conversion for the C5 diff so that it would take a driveshaft. The transaxle won't work in a 90 inch wheel base Cobra. The body is from my friends company.










This is my 23 model T inspired sport rod. Aluminum tub, C5 drivetrain and suspension, hopped up LS6, 6 speed transaxle, 1800 lbs, registered as a street rod. Fun!

csthews

Thanks again for sharing. By the way, that Big Belly Bank is really cool. I see one in my near future.

1993C4LT1

Nice!!

shawn 84&92

Great project. I have wondered why the C4's have not been utilized for something like this. Let me know if you are going to be selling the bodies. There are a lot of C4's out there that are too far gone, but the chassis could be saved instead of hitting the salvage yard.
Shawn

SJW

Count me among those who are eager to read and see more about this project until it's done!

Live well,

SJW

DrDyno

ch@0s

You are a very talented man. Subscribed

jmc14

I wanted to let everyone know that I won't be posting any updates in the near future. A serious medical situation has come up in my wife's family and we will be out of town for some time. When I am able I will resume my build.

1993C4LT1

Hope the medical situation improves

peyc2

Sorry to hear. Best wishes. Family comes first, trust me I know. Hope all works out. My best to you and yours, and our prayers. Well all be here when the time is right.

Raidmagic

Prayers for your family. Love the project. We'll be here when you get back