XC Cobra #140

[Mr_Meaner]

Any updates? This build thread has been fantastic reading.

[Paull]

Easter perhaps????

[Paull]

After almost 11 years, the end is getting very close. Very soon, the car will be heading back to the panel beaters for its final paint/polish and application of pin stripes, badges and decals (plus other associated bits & pieces).

I have managed to get a few jobs done over the Easter break, some small (fit accelerator pedal, tighten up steering hweel, get the hand brake working, tighten up the sun visor retainer) and some a bit bigger (with pics).

First up was the front tyres. I had originally fitted the Yokohama 352 245 15's all around. Unfortunately, the front ones where rubbing on the spoiler bracket. Yokohama 352 235's are no longer available so I ended up buying something that was as close as possible: Cooper Cobra 235 15's were recommended, thanks George: so I got 2 from eBay.

Here are a few pics of the Yoky's and the Cobra's






And a few on the car




Next up was the washer bottle, quick simple job


As was the boot lock latch


I had also recently bought the radiator side air deflectors, fitted ok




Seats were sitting too high (they had sedan supports underneath the seats), so these had to be changed as well.


There are only a few more jobs to do; install washer arm linkage along scuttle panel, carburetor choke tubes, get the two front seat belts re-webbed (and then fitted), connect all of the lights and paint and fit the air cleaner

These are the bits left to go on


When the car is at the panel beaters, the last of the bits will go on


Thanks to the mysterious NOS donater (black 5.8 badges).


Whilst the car is at the panel beaters, the rear scoop will be painted and fitted as well (it's been there for the last 8 years).

[gcg2503]

On the home straight Paul.

Can't wait to see it turn a wheel (preferably in anger!)

[zoesgift]

what a fantastic thread...very helpful with pics and tips. its one thing to have the skill its another thing to share the knowledge. like George said cant wait to see this car complete and in the flesh. I don't car if its not in anger either!

[Cabbage]

an exceptional build Paul, nice one.

[Sam]

Love this build Paul, absolute attention to detail.

[Resurrection]

Just stumbled across this thread. Amazing you had the patience all these years to persevere with the rebuild. I would love to see the look on your face the first time you get to drive the car. Not far away now.

[GT-GTF]

Paul, you aare to be commended for both the level of attention to detail in your restoration and your generosity in documenting the restoration for others to share.

[xapete]

WOW just read this thread build .Awesome job in rebuilding this great car.

[Scooter]

Any updates Paul?

[Sam]

My favourite thread, love you work Paul

[Paull]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Any updates Paul?

Nope.

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by Paull

Nope.

Bugger! Oh well, good things come to those who wait. She is looking close though?

[SCJCoupe]

Is there a big reveal planned for the October All Ford Day?

[Paull]

Originally Posted by SCJCoupe

Is there a big reveal planned for the October All Ford Day?

October 2014 is more like it.

No, nothing is happening on the car. I have been busy with everything else of late and can't say I am all that interested in working on the car at the moment.

I have however just spent 3 days working on the XD and it is coming up a real treat.



There has been one small addition to the Cobra though - headlight protectors, thank you Marcus.

[Revolver]

Mr Multiple projects!

How's the camper coming along??

[Paull]

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

How's the camper coming along??

No change of late (work done as such) but it is still seeing regular usage. I will however soon be changing from 4.11:1 gears to 3.5:1. Other than that, all is good.

[BOSSGTE]

This build is epic. Thank you. Although, I have a feeling that watching your attention to detail may cost me a lot of money when it comes time to rebuild my XC.

[Maso78]

Thanks for sharing this build, this is one of my favorite cars.

Can't wait to see the end result.

[kitdoctor]

Yep great thread....not long to go. Thanks for sharing.

[Paull]

Some updates

Boot lock mechanism cover has now been fitted



Choke tubes as well. Tip: if you are going to fit these, do it whilst you have the engine out, it is much easier







Boot carpet is also in



Along with the super expensive long range tank spacer (not!)



Prior to the carpet going in, the spare wheel bracket also went in. Pic of the spare in the boot



And this is how it sits now



Car has been washed and effectively put to bed for now. I now have to save up enough money to get it back to the panel beaters for the final works. I also have to wait for a spot in his calender. So that's it for now.

[kitdoctor]

Epic thread....can't wait til next update.

[Paull]

Another crappy job off the list - windscreen wiper mech. Any person with an XC knows what a terrible design the wiper mech is in these cars.

This how they usually end up looking




As expected, my one needed work and have been avoiding the job for quite some time. At any rate, had to get on with it so the first step was to buy a set of repro XD wiper arms

XD wiper arms

I actually bought these from Superoo Falcon spares: saved $40 too.

I then removed (carefully) the new nylon fittings - new one and one with bush already removed



It was then a case of "massaging" the bush and retainer ring to fit. Once fitting correctly, I then assembled and glues together with superglue



Once all assembled, motor and mechanism was tested without issue.

And this is how it looks now, much happier that this job is done

[tony302coupe]

This is looking fantastic, Any updates...

[Paull]

Originally Posted by tony302coupe

This is looking fantastic, Any updates...

Not much to speak of Tony. The only things done of late are as follows;
1) internal rear view mirror has been applied
2) 3rd go at the wheel alignment and now all is correct

Back on the trailer again for wheel alignment as the first go was completely wrong, the second go, the wheels were too wide and third time is a charm


And it is just sitting waiting patiently for its next trip to the panel beaters


I have recently spoken with the panel beater as the car has to go back to get a fair bit of work done. All of this has to be finished before I can complete the car. It is currently booked in for late July, early August. The following is what has to be done whilst at the panel beaters;

Repair small areas of damaged paint
Block back and polish the whole car
Paint and fit the rear bobtail spoler
Apply the Blaze Blue pinstriping
Paint and fit the front windsrceen moulds
Paint and fit the petrol cap and surround

Once all of this has been done, I can then finish by fitting all external components such as decal, badges, door handles, indicator lights, windscreen wipers, door locks as well as fit the door cards (along with grabhandles/window switches etc). In that, I am hoping to have the car done by October.

[Paull]

After 10 years, #140 has made its way back to the same panel beater. As per the above job list, hopefully in 4 to 6 weeks, all will be complete.



More updates to follow over the next month or so.

[gcg2503]

Add to list.

Apply NOS 5.8 badges.

[jstanovic]

Simply awesome build. I have just read from the start, I keep having to remind myself that this thread has evolved over many years, not just the 2 hours I have spent ogling the pics!

One question, why do restore multiples of parts as opposed just what you need? For example, how many air cleaners do you think you will need haha?!?!

[Paull]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Add to list.

Apply NOS 5.8 badges.

Yep, hopefully those excellent badges, that I got from a great bloke, plus all decals, will be the last job that is to be done on the car

Originally Posted by jstanovic

Simply awesome build. I have just read from the start, I keep having to remind myself that this thread has evolved over many years, not just the 2 hours I have spent ogling the pics!

One question, why do restore multiples of parts as opposed just what you need? For example, how many air cleaners do you think you will need haha?!?!

Bought in June 2002 and hopefully finished by years end, well, maybe

In regards to restoring multiples of, I have a very simply philosophy: "It is better to look at it, than look for it". Put more simply, as I am also restoring another P6 LTD, plus my XD, I will also be restoring a few more P6 LTD's in years to come. Another reason is that when you have a bunch of parts cleaned/blasted/painted, you can then chose the best of the bunch.