body asymmetry

[scrubs]

I have read about the asymmetries that are all over the cars, but I need some reassurance or advice.

Got the boy back on today (shock tower-lip measurements within 2mm of each other, front & rear QJ in place, 3/4" spacers in place at outrigger base) and this is what I see from the front-overhead view:

186733

It seems like the entire PS of my body is a bit offset rearward compared to the DS...PS distance to door tab is 1/4" and DS is 3/8", dash to roll has larger gap than DS, and this hood opening finding today. The PS trunk aluminum does not seem tight (ie. don't think trimming will move anything forward - already took 1/8" previously). Am I missing something that would move the PS foward? Do I even need to try to move it further?

Input appreciated.

j

[Jeff Kleiner]

Nothing is symmetrical; the hood isn't centered or straight with the body, the headlights are crosseyed and the radiator opening is kind of crooked like Popeye the sailor man's mouth.

What your photo shows is normal due to the skewed hood opening and the fact that the 3/4" tube that the radiator attaches to is angled and not square with the chassis.

By the way; you have the hood hinge assembled incorrectly. The hinge arm plate goes on top of the chassis plate, not under it.

Jeff

[scrubs]

Nothing is symmetrical; the hood isn't centered or straight with the body, the headlights are crosseyed and the radiator opening is kind of crooked like Popeye the sailor man's mouth.

What your photo shows is normal due to the skewed hood opening and the fact that the 3/4" tube that the radiator attaches to is angled and not square with the chassis.

By the way; you have the hood hinge assembled incorrectly. The hinge arm plate goes on top of the chassis plate, not under it.

Jeff

Thank, Jeff. Will flip...and I thought I was following that damn figure closely...

[nucjd19]

I distinctly remember posting the exact same picture at your point with the exact same question. I remember Jeff coming in and talking me off the roof as well. I bet Jeff has his answers just saved and he just copy pastes them LOL! Good luck! You are getting close to the finish line :)

[scrubs]

Thanks, doc. Finish line...seems to move further away the closer I get...

[MPTech]

Only you, the bodyman, and another FFR builder will ever know they are asymmetrical, everyone else will just think it's AWESOME!
Enjoy the build, but understand the first drive is a BLAST.

[mrmustang]

I have read about the asymmetries that are all over the cars, but I need some reassurance or advice.

Got the boy back on today (shock tower-lip measurements within 2mm of each other, front & rear QJ in place, 3/4" spacers in place at outrigger base) and this is what I see from the front-overhead view:

186733

It seems like the entire PS of my body is a bit offset rearward compared to the DS...PS distance to door tab is 1/4" and DS is 3/8", dash to roll has larger gap than DS, and this hood opening finding today. The PS trunk aluminum does not seem tight (ie. don't think trimming will move anything forward - already took 1/8" previously). Am I missing something that would move the PS foward? Do I even need to try to move it further?

Input appreciated.

j

If it helps, the original Cobra was not asymmetrical, the closest manufacturer to this these days is Kirkham, David and crew are fanatical about such things.


Bill S.

[Norm B]

If it really bothers you, get one of these from Breeze. Helps with cooling too!

Norm

[CraigS]

The FFR, and pretty much all others other than Kirkham, are not symmetrical. It is like installing cabinets in a kitchen. There is usually a lot of shimming going on and attempts to make it look as best as possible even though it isn't right. Also I found out the hard way in my Mom's old house, don't ever choose wall paper that has lines or characters that are in line even if not attached to each other. Make it as best as you can and move on. That rad mount has been that way for years and years. Norm B has the answer. BTW, wait til you start thinking about laying out stripes. There is a REALLY good reason to go for a no stripes paint job. MPTech has the best overall answer. All these idiosyncrasies will disappear the first time you nail in it second and run to the redline.

[Bill_VA]

If you think these red MK4 bodies are bad, you should've seen my MK3 body 18 years ago. What a hot mess. It seems to me that FFR could invest in some CNC'd body molds where everything is perfect. I'd bet they have a list of things they'd like to do if they were to ever come out with a MK5, a perfect body sure would be nice.

[CaptB]

@scrubs I had issues around assembly on the hood hingle too. Maybe it's because I'm not an engineer but I followed the diagram, pics pretty close. Had it backwards!!

You're on the right track.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...It seems to me that FFR could invest in some CNC'd body molds where everything is perfect. I'd bet they have a list of things they'd like to do if they were to ever come out with a MK5, a perfect body sure would be nice.

And you'd be willing to pay how much more for that "perfect" body? Asking for a friend ;)

Jeff

[egchewy79]

And you'd be willing to pay how much more for that "perfect" body? Asking for a friend ;)

Jeff

jeff, how much estimated time would a better body shave off your body work time?

[scrubs]

Several mentions of me/body man/fellow ffr builder noticing the asymmetries....I was so excited to get this done today that even I forgot already:)

186936

[rich grsc]

jeff, how much estimated time would a better body shave off your body work time?
I'm going to guess, not near enough to cover the cost of a "perfect" body

[CraigS]

A perfect body would no doubt be expensive. If they could just get rid of the seems that would be a huge improvement. Every time I take a shower, or when I used to go out in our fiberglass boat, I realize that it is possible to not have seems. When we were building our house and were looking at shower units it was obvious that the manufacturer did a lot of mixing and matching of several bottom third options w/ several top two thirds options to offer different style combinations. I didn't get to see the unit before it was installed but there is an obvious indent maybe 1/16" deep and 3/8" wide all around that 1/3-2/3 line. But, unlike FFR, it is perfectly finished just like the rest of the shower.

[mrmustang]

And you'd be willing to pay how much more for that "perfect" body? Asking for a friend ;)

Jeff

Is there such a thing as a perfect Cobra body?

If so, what would you be judging it against?

Asking for another friend :D


Bill S.

[J R Jones]

Not long ago there was a thread here on a home built GT40, that races with Dave a West Coast forum member's 65 Coupe.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a43689738/ford-gt40-for-less-than-the-price-of-a-toyota-camry/?source=nl
R&T requires a subscription, this covers the Beames' build as well:
https://supercarblondie.com/diy-ford-gt40/

The owner observes that he built his GT40 to the Ford racing-like spec with gaps and panel fitment. Now in the company of "perfect" replicas his car looks shoddy. He goes on to state as race cars with inevitable body panel replacement, the race teams and Ford were not concerned with cosmetics.
Obviously starting with AC production bodies, the Cobra has different origins and fitment.
To your point Craig, having been in the Marine development industry, I can say fiberglass quality is a priority. Hull performance at speed requires it. Poor design and/or poor execution can be dangerous.
jim