Paint Style Question

[GrooveM]

So far in my views of what seems like thousands of Cobra Replicas is seems to me that there are only 2 main paint styles:

1. Solid color
2. Solid color with 2 contrasting stripes about the center line front to back (a few with the side stripes behind the front fenders).

Is there some sort of "CODE" about how a Shelby Cobra should be painted? If I were to go with something other than those two options would I be looked down upon by the purists? In all honesty when I do finally get one I want to make it mine and to make it stand out but I am also mindful of what this car is and want it to represent the Shelby Cobra. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[CaptB]

One of the joys of picking this type of project. There is no code around paint. I've seen some doozies.

I'm going for a emerald type green similar to:

https://www.engadget.com/first-2020-ford-mustang-shelby-202200811.html

[JohnK]

There are certainly more "traditional" schemes. The two stripes is the most common, but there's also stripes with meatballs (round circles with or without numbers), there's the transverse nose stripe (with or without meatballs), team stripes on the fender... if you search on vintage cobra race photos you'll see that there were many schemes other than two stripes. All that said, it's your car so feel free to make it your own in any way that looks good to you. If the purists have a problem, well... that's their problem. I don't know of anyone on this forum that's a "purist" in that sense that would look down on a non-traditional paint scheme. Everyone here is very supportive.

[alexmak]

it's your car, you can do whatever you want

[jdavis500]

Choosing colors was not easy for me, but luckily, I have a graphic artist friend that enjoyed mocking up some schemes for me. People will respond to the shape, the stance, and the sound regardless of the color pattern(unless you do something really weird). 2 colors(stripe and field) is the most "accepted" and not too difficult to paint. When you choose 3 colors or more, it gets more technical and takes a lot longer to paint. I wanted to put an additional roundel on my hood, but I was already pushing it for a one-man job in my garage paint booth. I think it is important to stick with the "standard" stripe width layout. I have seen some stripes that do not work.



152658

152660

152657

152659

[ggunter]

The word purist makes me cringe. If your talking about purist's who own CSX aluminum body serial number cars, then they probably don't talk to us "kit car owners" anyway. And who cares! It's your car paint it the way that makes you happy.

[GrooveM]

Great comments and ideas! I love the emerald green. Green happens to be my favorite color. :D As for the word “purist” I am projecting that concept in a place it doesn’t apply. My previous project was building a reverse trike from scratch using a crashed 1980 Kawasaki KZ1300 mated to a Mustang II single crossmember front suspension. When I went to a KZ1300 forum to ask questions and mentioned what I was doing I received several negative posts about how it should have been restored into the bike. It was rather disappointing considering it was supposed to be a forum to “help” people. Clearly this forum is filled with extremely cool and helpful people and for that I am truly grateful. Again thank you all for the input. Can’t wait to get one and make it a one-of-a-kind!

[JohnK]

This forum lost any claim to being a place for purists when a certain someone (you know who you are :D) put a Chevy engine in a Cobra.

[Cobradavid]

Choosing colors was not easy for me, but luckily, I have a graphic artist friend that enjoyed mocking up some schemes for me. People will respond to the shape, the stance, and the sound regardless of the color pattern(unless you do something really weird). 2 colors(stripe and field) is the most "accepted" and not too difficult to paint. When you choose 3 colors or more, it gets more technical and takes a lot longer to paint. I wanted to put an additional roundel on my hood, but I was already pushing it for a one-man job in my garage paint booth. I think it is important to stick with the "standard" stripe width layout. I have seen some stripes that do not work.



152658

152660

152657

152659


That's a nice looking color combination!

David

[Cobradavid]

it's your car, you can do whatever you want

^^^ That's the best "code" to go by.

[AC Bill]

It depends on if you are trying to pay tribute to one particular CSX, or COB car. There were so many variables between the different Cobra race teams, and the privateer's.
There were the Competition Cobra's, the SC's, the FIA, and other 289 cars, all with different livery's. There really weren't that many 427's, racing in the blue color, with white stripes, and even fewer 427 SC's, (which our cars are based on), but it has become extremely popular regardless.

Personally, I just love the street 427 Cobra's, in the solid color. They still look ferocious, but classy..Unfortunately FFR doesn't have that model. You work with what you have, or you could custom build it to suit. I built and painted my roadster with CSX3178 in mind, but didn't try to make it a true likeness, just similar.

https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/fl0121/fl0121-444471/images/zzzdont-use-person-in-seat-1601580330021@2x.jpg?1608574072000

[smithtlw]

Here's a non-traditional paint scheme done by one of the best:

152713152714

[GoDadGo]

CSX 3178 was the motivation for my build which was the configuration it was in when Mr. Shelby owned it before he died:
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo16/monterey/lots/r194-1965-shelby-427-cobra-csx-3178/380123

This was my take on the look of that car when I fell in love with it in 2016:
https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/customer-steve-l-graduates-his-mk4-roadster/

After CSX sold in 2016, it sold once again, but in this time in its original configuration and paint scheme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-rNwHqfIew&t=83s

The answer to your question is up to you because you are building your dream and no one else's.