Cobra Daytona Coupe

[vamach1]

So here's an interesting project.  As you can see I've gathered some "donor" cars and parts for a Daytona Coupe build.  I am considered going with either the 427 or 289 diecast donor chassis (depending on which fits better and parts from the AMT 289 and/or Monogram427 kit plus some resin parts to replace the awful chassi of this Lindberg snap kit).  Neither of the diecasts really have a Cobra front suspension (no coil springs or leaf spring).   If I do not use one of the two diecasts it might get a Snakfu makeover as a side project.  So why go through all this trouble?  No good answer other than because I can I guess and the challenge of it all.  The last photo shows what else I could be working on.  The Eleanor has been started (not painted  grey by the way) but most of the others are unbuilt (ncluding the the HRM Daytona Coupe and a HRM DragonSnake).  Chime in if you think I am crazy and should just build something easier instead of the parts mish mash one of one creation.

Edited April 15, 2020 by vamach1

[cobraman]

Go for it !

[vamach1]

11 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Go for it !

Somehow I knew you would say that.  I will have to figure out how to hinge the front.  With all the Cobras you have built have you tried to modify this old snap kit?

[Dann Tier]

This is gonna be KILLER!!!!

[vamach1]

12 minutes ago, Dann Tier said:

This is gonna be KILLER!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement.  I hope it goes together once I figure out the combination of this and that.

[Gramps46]

I am glad to see you tackle this one.  As you know the Lindberg body is of the first prototype Cobra Daytona and is a very worthy addition to your collection.  The addition of an appropriate chassis and engine is a great idea.  If I were doing one again I would use the chassis from the IMC Cougar II kit with the posable steering and maybe longer wheelbase to fit the 1/24 scale body.

Just for laughs here is a Lindberg kit I built in 1983.

[vamach1]

1 hour ago, Gramps46 said:

I am glad to see you tackle this one.  As you know the Lindberg body is of the first prototype Cobra Daytona and is a very worthy addition to your collection.  The addition of an appropriate chassis and engine is a great idea.  If I were doing one again I would use the chassis from the IMC Cougar II kit with the posable steering and maybe longer wheelbase to fit the 1/24 scale body.

Just for laughs here is a Lindberg kit I built in 1983.

Thanks Gramps.  I had not thought of the Cougar II but that is another possibility for sure.  Thanks for posting your build.  It's amazing what you can make out of what most people would look at what's in the box and think it will never look respectable.

[TarheelRick]

Sounds like a very ambitious project.  I am sure you will be able to handle it.  The Daytona Coupe is one of my grail cars. Is that Lindberg kit still available, and if so where could I find one?

[randyc]

14 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

Sounds like a very ambitious project.  I am sure you will be able to handle it.  The Daytona Coupe is one of my grail cars. Is that Lindberg kit still available, and if so where could I find one?

+1 - I'd like one of those as well.  

[vamach1]

25 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

Sounds like a very ambitious project.  I am sure you will be able to handle it.  The Daytona Coupe is one of my grail cars. Is that Lindberg kit still available, and if so where could I find one?

I bought this one I'm guessing in the 80's which may have been the last reissue.  As you can see the marketing folks were targeting kids as they could have actually painted it blue and found some other wheels because the kits ones are hideous.   Not until Gunze Sanyo came out with a decent kit (w/o and engine) and later on HRM and Hiro was there anything else out there.  Do do you see  the Lindberg kit on Ebay once in a while - sure - but is it worth more than say $25 - I would have to say not really as the price would be pretty crazy if you even find one.

Edited April 16, 2020 by vamach1
Scalemates

[randyc]

Oh my!  Based on box art I would never buy this kit.   I doubt I will at this point either.   Will be glad to see yours.  I have a  cheap 1/18 diecast of some sort - that may have to do for now.  And I think I have a couple of the 1/32 slot cars.  

 

[vamach1]

4 minutes ago, randyc said:

Oh my!  Based on box art I would never buy this kit.   I doubt I will at this point either.   Will be glad to see yours.  I have a  cheap 1/18 diecast of some sort - that may have to do for now.  And I think I have a couple of the 1/32 slot cars.  

 

The modern slot cars (Monograml) are very nice and there is some very nice 1/43 diecast and models but WHY oh WHY is 1/24 been ignored for so long by the US market?  In steps Harold Bradford (HRM) who makes an amazing FULL resin kit ready to assemble.  Is it expensive - yes - but less than the alternatives.  Other than people on this board "in the know" it's not something you will find on the shelf of Walmart or even a Hobby store.  As they used to say on Dream car garage - do you need a car like this?  No - but do you want a car like this? ?

[Jonathan]

Wonder what ever happened to that Academy kit that was supposed to be available years ago ?  ?

[cobraman]

15 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Somehow I knew you would say that.  I will have to figure out how to hinge the front.  With all the Cobras you have built have you tried to modify this old snap kit?

I have it but have not touched it.

[cobraman]

Funny you mention the Cougar ll. I just ordered one . Going to try and convert to the 1963 Bordinat Cobra. I did say try.

[vamach1]

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Wonder what ever happened to that Academy kit that was supposed to be available years ago ?  ?

True.  Kit manufacturers crank out twenty versions of the same WWII airplane and I guess they sell enough to justify it.  Imagine if Pete Brock gave his thumbs up on a kit and it was marketed exclusively online or to select hobby stores (the ones that are left) and image a less expensive mass marketed version maybe without photoetch parts or the extras included in a premium version.  I would not bet on it. ?

[cobraman]

I do have a project of using a Kyosho slot car body on a Cobra chassis but I never finished it . 

[Geno]

Rex, do the coupe, a rare and unique car for your collection. I can't wait to see this one.

[vamach1]

17 minutes ago, Geno said:

Rex, do the coupe, a rare and unique car for your collection. I can't wait to see this one.

Thanks.  It will look like it belongs next to my Gunze Sanyo Coupe and Mini Exotics Super Coupe and the HRM kit when I tackle that one maybe this summer.  I guess some of those GT40 kits will go on the back burner for now.

[vamach1]

2 hours ago, cobraman said:

I do have a project of using a Kyosho slot car body on a Cobra chassis but I never finished it . 

I guess you have been busy building those Testors Mustangs instead. ?

 

 

[Geno]

2 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Thanks.  It will look like it belongs next to my Gunze Sanyo Coupe and Mini Exotics Super Coupe and the HRM kit when I tackle that one maybe this summer.  I guess some of those GT40 kits will go on the back burner for now.

Man, those are sweet.

[afx]

I very generous man gifted me one of these kits. Looking forward to following your build Rex.

[Rich Chernosky]

Rex...I just scored a Mini Exotics Super Coupe.  Your build looks very interesting but I see you also have the Super Coupe in your  collection. I plan on using a Monogram 427 Cobra as a donor. Is there anything else you can tell me about  your build.  Nice stash BTW. 

[vamach1]

46 minutes ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Rex...I just scored a Mini Exotics Super Coupe.  Your build looks very interesting but I see you also have the Super Coupe in your  collection. I plan on using a Monogram 427 Cobra as a donor. Is there anything else you can tell me about  your build.  Nice stash BTW. 

Cool and thanks.  I built the Super Coupe about 30 plus years ago but I do don't remember any specific issues.  It probably was silly to put the engine in it (I cannot help myself) and yes the 427 chassis should fit without any problems.  The Lindberg based build will be some trial and error I'm sure since there are more options than when Gramps built his.  It would be nice if there was a 1/24 289 Cobra roadster kit but as long as the old AMT one get recycled over and over and over I guess no one sees the point in investing in the tooling to make one.

[Gramps46]

2 cents.  

At the top is the vacuum slot body that was lined with Bondo to start the Mini Exotics Super Coupe.

In the middle is the modified male buck I provided to Mini Exotics to make the mold for the coupe.

At the bottom is a built up Mini Exotics kit.

It was designed to be used with the Monogram 427 kit and works well.  The rear window and sunroof should be tinted blue.

ETC.

Seldom mentioned is the Shelby Collection 1/24 diecast of the original Cobra CSX 2000 which can be used for 260-289 projects and has poseable front wheels.

Now returning to our regularly scheduled program.