For Cobra Lovers

[46SuperDeluxe]

Yea, that's what I'm talking about. I've looked at this stuff before, isn't it great? I personally, like and want the FIA 289!!! The Polish panel beaters that build the bodies used to make MIGS!!! I read in a magazine that someone in America is having repop Scarab bodies built in Poland as well, if you are interested in vintage racing.-Gary

[Don Garrett]

I guess as long as we are going to kick blue oval stuff around a bit, we need some input from you fellow modelers. Rick asked a while back for some response as to what you guys would like for a TDR Ford engine....there hasn't been much response to his query.

Honestly guys...if you don't speak up, we'll use the time and funds that would have been allocated for this engine to do one of the others on our very long wish list. Rick has said we need one and he's probably right, but if you don't narrow it down to one for now....IT WILL GO TO THE BACK OF THE LIST!

So speak up or there is going to be a very long wait...289, 302, 351, 427, 428, SOHC....what? Flat heads, Arduns etc. are already on the drawing board so don't include them.

Personally my 2 cents worth goes with the 427 wedge.

[ERA Chas]

Personally my 2 cents worth goes with the 427 wedge.

Don, you da man and add my .02! Wow, you guys started without me! Very gratified to find a receptive audience for my decades-old rant.

Make that a 427 Sideoiler wedge with a Tunnel Wedge manifold (Medium Riser heads not TP's or Hi risers) and quads. Excellent choice for a Cobra model and I've got one under blue fibergalss downstairs! It's an original iron block. There are now blocks manufactured by Genesis, Pond and Shelby (and a very few original irons like mine) so you've got to be selective about what you prototype as only the Genesis iron is visually exact to OEM. The others are aluminum and do not have the side oil gallery cast on their blocks.
Cammers are also a highly desirable choice. ( Don Coon is now castings new aluminum Cammer heads and Barry Rabotnick is building a horsepower monster for the Engine Masters Challenge) Here's one with [I]Webers[/I] in a CSX Cobra to whip up some enthusiam:

As far as the model of the actual car, I realize it's not as easy as I raved about in the other post. Ugly things like licensing, trademarks and so on make it tough for a manufacturer. The 1:1 replica mfgrs used to just splash an original car (and sometimes even another replica!) from a cooperative owner and they were in business. No more thanks to Shelby's wolfpack of lawyers.

So I'm not sure you guys would have an easy time of it. Further, Cobras are a minefield of details that were or were not 'original' (meaning the cars that were built '63-68). The originals around today all virtually have [I]some [/I]contemporary parts, tires being the most obvious. (Although the G'Years on mine are the original 'Sports Cars Specials', just the rain tire version, widely available today). There are [I]many other [/I]decisions a model mfgr would have to make on the subject before committing funds and effort today. From which of the cars to replicate (289, 427, Street or Race, or actual racecars with history). to equipment content.

All of that is not a task for the casual enthusiast. It's all in the research. Since I shot my mouth off I'd be glad to help in any way I might. I have been a student of Cobras for 26 years (when we bought my car as a 'pallet car' for assembly). I can direct interested parties to all the most authoritive sites and companies in the business as well as owners. I welcome dialog on or off this great board.

Now I ask you, who wouldn't want a model of a shape like this?

[Don Garrett]

Chas a 1/8th Cobra is well within TDR 's capabilities, however you covered the reasons that we are reluctant to produce one in you text. The fee's associated with it's approval would drive the price right through the roof. We are not in a financial position to do injection molding etc. enabling us to sell in the quantities that would justify the expense.
However a one off for your own "personal use only" isn't impossible....it wouldn't be cheap though.

I want to hear from some of the other members but if we do decide to go with a 427 could we impose on you to keep all the nuts and bolts in order?

[Don Garrett]

There's a couple of clone Shelby 500's at the shop, we have one real deal that is in the 200 thousand range....it's a rare duck in that it's one of the few built with an auto rather than a hand shaker. The only Snake on the floor is a kit running a 351 Cleveland.

[ERA Chas]

I want to hear from some of the other members but if we do decide to go with a 427 could we impose on you to keep all the nuts and bolts in order?

I [I]always [/I]try to keep my nuts and bolts in order.

Assuming trademark is not a factor, (which it certainly is) is a curbside, cast in resin , in 1/12 a more [I]feasible[/I] feat from a cost perspective??

As far as the motor, I know you need support from the membership here. I'd be glad to help any way short of pulling the Sideoiler out. I have a friend in another state who is a CAD engineer, whose work is engine castings and tooling design. If you require his expertise I'd be happy to contact him.

Don, do you know how your competition at Exoto or GMP for example, handles the licensing stuff?

[Don Garrett]

Deep pockets.

[Rick]

This is all good stuff Chas, lets keep the chatter going. As one of the TDR crew, I'd like to add a few comments.

First, we can build you a Cobra in 12th, 8th or whatever scale you want. Not a problem, that is until we get into the licensing aspect of the gig. As you well know, the Cobra name is protected and the courts have been having a field day for years over licensing issues. TDR can't afford to open that door yet, nor can we afford to approach the Cobra brand and ask for permission to mass produce their product in 8th scale. That dosen't mean that the Cobra and other brands are not on our radar screen, its just that we have to take one step at a time with some of this stuff. But, if you or anyone else can afford to have TDR create a "one of" then talk to me or Don privatly.

Now, lets talk Blue Oval engines. We're hearing that there may be a market for a Ford engine. So far, Chas is the only one who has responded, and quite frankly, Don and I agree with the concept of a 427 side oiler style TDR branded engine. Look at what Roush has done to popularize the Ford crate engine. These engines are catching up to the small block Chev in the street rod market. There's no reason why TDR can't do something similar in the large scale model car market.

So members, its up to you. I'll ask the question one more time........Do you want a Ford style engine and if so which one?

[ERA Chas]

Rick,
Assuming the membership here responds favorably, in what scale would you produce an engine? 1/8 scale? Would you produce it as a kit or ready-made display engine? Do you guys have an up to date web site so I can familiarize with your products? Please remember I'm new here and don't know much about all the players yet.

Is your group a competitor to Liberty, Testors et al who produce 1/6 (I believe) engines?

I was given a Cammer Liberty display engine (not a kit) by Chuck Barnett, president of Dura Bond Bearings. It's got a cast metal block and styrene parts for heads, 8-71 blower and injector hat. It's not a terrible representation but it's from China, too 'chromey' and it needs much more refinement to be a 'right' model. For instance, square drive screw-in freeze plugs instead of hex and the sideoiler gallery is cast but not quite correctly as are the motor mount pads.

The engine models from those mfgrs are sold far and wide, especially on the websites of aftermarket companies who specialize in specific makes. SBC's, Hemis and some FE's are most popular and sell from $30 -$60. All from China.

Target advertising would be most advantageous for a new quality product and I have some thoughts that may be helpful. But we can't get ahead of ourselves, I know you need support to make a business model before a 'scale' model.

[Rick]

The TDR target audience is 8th scale Chas. However, we can produce in other scales. All of our products are produced in kit form. Please look at the on site Vendors page to view our current products and information about TDR .

For your information, and anyone else who is interested in who we are and what we do, the following should help. TDR Innovations is less than a year old. We are made up of five members of this site who are dedicated to creating accurate, quality built bodies, parts and accessories for the large scale market. All of our products are designed and produced by our partnership and one American manufacturer useing computer modelling and RP production methods. We will not resort to cheap knockoffs.

To date we have customers in the U.S. Canada, Australia and Germany. We pay for advertising on this site and have had a lot of help from Dan, the owner of the site. The majority of our customers have found us here. A web site along with advertising and sales through an Ebay store and model car magazines is in our future, however we are not heavily financed so we are taking things one step at a time.

You will see our current line of TDR parts and accessories along with our distributership for MF bodies if you view the Vendors page. We will be announcing some exciting new products along with some of our own bodies in comming months. In addition, we will soon be announcing a new MF body and a distributorship with another site member who designs and builds some interesting Deuce accessories. We will also be offering some products in resin .

Your last paragraph above says it all Chas and with that in mind, I invite you (and anyone else) to contact me privatly via PM and we can chat further.

The TDR partnership was formed to create what our members want. Our door is always open to suggestions.

[John]

Great pictures Chas.
The whole package is magnificent but the rear wheel flare is ....well ART!
I am going off to have a stiff drink and try to settle down.;';;';
Thanks,
John

[Old Busted Hotness]

I'm pretty sure the big-ticket item for licensing is the Cobra name. The body shape has been cloned so many times it's practically public domain.

With that in mind, what about offering a "427 roadster" instead of a "Cobra?" Not like we don't know what it is, and the few badges can be easily Googled into existence.

[sydeem]

"along with our distributership for MF bodies if you view the Vendors page"

I presume this references some future listing as I can't find anything on MF bodies and I bet there is a roadster someplace back there for the Offy?

OH DARN - I didn't hit the logo. That is what opens up the catalog!

I've been asleep at the switch - The rear end looks fantastic and now I remember something about it being built up on one of the threads but I can't find the thread in "search". Where was it discussed?

[ERA Chas]

Great pictures Chas.
The whole package is magnificent but the rear wheel flare is ....well ART!
I am going off to have a stiff drink and try to settle down.;';;';
Thanks,
John

Thanks for the kind words John. ERA made that part of the art.

ERA and Kirkham makes the best cars-period. Shelbys are bought primarily for the Certificate that says you own a Shelby. It's a status thing as the cars don't sit nearly as well as ERA's or Kirkhams. I think most of the buyers are waiting for the Old Man to kick, to 'skyrocket' the resale prices.

More eye candy if anyone likes these cars:
Era Replica Automobiles - 427 and 289FIA Cobra and Ford GT40 kits and replicas

And John, open a fresh bottle for viewing that site....