Migge wrote:So at first to change all body modifications and then bring the chassis under the shell.
Hi Migge, that's pretty much about it

.It's far easier to work on the bare shell than to have it fixed to a chassis. This way I can just turn it upside down & do the fibreglass repairs from the inside, which will save a lot of time in not having so many repairs on the outside.
I was originally offered a loan of a 289 slabside via Robin (oldboyracer) to use as a buck to make my aluminium body. After a lot of consideration I thought it might be better to buy a shell & cut & shut that to get the final shape that I wanted. This will then be used as the buck to form the aluminium body & the buck can then be sold on to recoup some of the cost outlayed. The buck will ultimately be finished to a high standard & would be ready for paint.
Because I wanted an ali body and I was unable to purchase a 289 FIA style shell, or a 39 PH shell on its own to use as the buck, it made sense to me at least, to go this route. I know that a lot of people don't like the Pilgrim, but the cost was right & there won't be much Pilgrim DNA left in it by the time it's finished. The actual moulding of it is surprisingly good quality though compared to some of the other shells I've been to see.
The body style that I'm going to replicate is a cross between CS 2131 and CSX 2130, taking the styling cues from each that I like. Once the body modifications are done, I'll then make a start on the chassis. This will be a Mk111 with Jag rear, jag front uprights & once it's through IVA, it will have tubular A arms & rear axle locators fitted. I'll be using the chassis plans that Migge forwarded to me (Thanks ever so much for that

) but there will be some modifications to them here & there, as needs be. The engine will be a 302 stroked to 347 fitted with downdraughts, backed up by a 5 speed trans.
So, that's where I am at the moment. I'd also like to thank Alan (catsx11) for sending me a template of his front grille & for giving me some base measurements to go from. Before I can start in earnest, I have to finish off my Messerschmitt that I'm getting prepped for paint. Once that's out of the way I can devote more time to the Cobra project
cheers...Nige