King cobra

[King Cobra]

Hi all, Norm Deeley here. It's been a long time since I've posted on the site. Not sure where to post this, but I'm sure someone will lead me to where I need to be. I'm the owner of King Cobra Hardtops. I still have my MKl, although it hasn't been on the road for a number of years. Yea, MKl, I go way back. When I bought my FFR, I dealt with Mark Smith, a good guy, like his Brother Dave. We talked about a hardtop for the cobra. None was available back then. I decided to put my art school training to work and sculpted a hard top that in form turned out great. In finish it needed more work. We kept at it for a few years and finally got it right. Russ Thompson was my first final product customer. He did a great job of finish paint. That was the blister top. We also made a mold that had no blister. The tops that came from the last molds were/are a thing of beauty. We sold many, and enjoyed the finished outcomes. Three+ years into the work I became ill and had to stop working. I've held onto the company, the molds, and the car in hopes that I might get back up to speed one day. That day has yet to come. So, the molds set in my shop. The car is getting put back together by my son and will be sold. I'm not looking to get rich selling the company. I'm looking to pass King Cobra on to someone with more energy and better health. The end product is near flawless and a top can be made in less than four hours. I truly enjoyed creating this piece of art and all of my dealings with my customers, the community, and the company. But time waits for no one. If someone out there thinks they might be interested in such and endeavor, hit me back. Not looking to get rich at this stage of life. Just looking for good homes for those things that are important to me. Thanks, Norm

[David Hodgkins]

Norm, Glad to see you on the site.

I'd love to see pics of your tops. I assume the molds are on the east coast? I'm getting ready to start selling some engine-turned accessories and would be up for looking into taking over for you but getting the molds to California might be "interesting" cost-wise.

If you need any help with pics or anything else on the site, let me know.

:)

[King Cobra]

Hi Dave, I'm on the west coast of Florida. Feel free to give me a call. 239 601 4182. Shipping will be simple. I can build crates

[Todd Buttrick]

http://home.comcast.net/~dwharper61/pics/hardtop1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dwharper61/pics/hardtop3.jpg

[skullandbones]

Now that's a nice looking top! I've seen some that just don't look right at all. Is that the same top as being discussed?

Thanks,

WEK.

[King Cobra]

Thanks for posting Rick. The top and car looks great. One of the early 'Blister' type. I personally liked the top. But many wanted the flat top. I also like that you did the windows the same way I did mine. No gaskets. More work getting it right but worth the effort. Not blowing my own horn too loudly, I but think it looks like it came with the car. A lot of days spent getting the lines just so. Be nice to see other customers cars.

[Todd Buttrick]

Just FYI... I pulled those two pics off This old thread (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/229495-hardtop-gallery.html). Tough business to keep up with all the different bodies and such and not to mention all the different desires. To a committed individual, I think someone could expand the offering and do well to provide different styles, side curtains, hardware, finish options, etc. Still my fav here...

http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data/937/image1.jpeg

[Avalanche325]

Just FYI... I pulled those two pics off This old thread (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/229495-hardtop-gallery.html). Tough business to keep up with all the different bodies and such and not to mention all the different desires. To a committed individual, I think someone could expand the offering and do well to provide different styles, side curtains, hardware, finish options, etc. Still my fav here...

http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data/937/image1.jpeg

I do have a thing for the LeMans top.

[King Cobra]

I set my top up to use with the softop side windows. Worked well enough. reminded me of my old MGA 59. As to different bodies, If the rear deck remained the same and I can't imagine why it would not have, and tge door lenth is the same than model, as in MKi,








mkll will no matter. I sold a top to a guy with a cobra other than FFR. He had to set it on the car, scribe the deckline onto the top and cut the top. reattach the flange and he was good to go. The only cobra the King Cobra top would not fit was the company from Texas, Lonestar I think was the name. And the only difference there was they stretched the car length, at the doors a few inches.
Just FYI... I pulled those two pics off This old thread (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/229495-hardtop-gallery.html). Tough business to keep up with all the different bodies and such and not to mention all the different desires. To a committed individual, I think someone could expand the offering and do well to provide different styles, side curtains, hardware, finish options, etc. Still my fav here...

http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data/937/image1.jpeg

[King Cobra]

The body shape, on top and at the doors is pretty consistent throughout out the models. The only significant alteration to the cobra genre was the Lone star, I think its called. They stretched the body length, at the doors. Why? Who knows. Plenty of legroom in my car. Probably for uniqueness. Its easy to do at the door area and one would only need to redesign the door molds. But these cars are surprisingly close to one another. Variations are generally, the fenders, trunk lid, vents etc. I fit the ffr top to a different manufactures car, (cant remember which) and we had to scribe the deck flange and trim it by 1/2' at most. as to windows, I used and was happy with the soft top side windows.

[David Hodgkins]

Norm, which shape do you have for the top? The LeMans style with the long sloped back or the type shown in the first set of pics on the top of the thread?

:)

[King Cobra]

I have the one like Ricks, the burgundy car. I had both, but the blister top sold. The top that goes on my car is in paint now I'll get a pic up when done
. There are two molds, one flat top and one blister top