Cobra class

Before I start blogging about my build I have to mention a class that I took.  There's a Community College in Michigan that offers a class once a month for aspiring Factory Five kit builders.  They have a Roadster (Cobra replica)

and a '33 Hot Rod.

The classes alternate, one month students work with the Cobra and one month the Hot Rod.  Over a three day period the students get to assemble one of the cars with two experienced teachers guiding them and a significant chunk of the class fee gets applied to the next kit that you purchase.  I happened to have some business in Wisconsin so I extended my trip to include the Cobra class.  The Cobra and the Coupe that I'm building are very similar kits.

Since the two kits get reused over and over for different classes some of the assembly work had already been taken care of but we got some good hands-on time and I learned a tremendous amount.  This class will easily shorten my build time and I'd recommend it to anyone building one of these for the first time.

Our engine block (relatively stock 302 iirc) and fearless professors, Scott and Todd

The frame - we'd already done a lot of work at this point - I'm bad about remembering to take pictures.

My hand.  First injury in the whole class.  I had just taken off my gloves, too!

Installing the wheels before dropping the frame to ride height to make some basic suspension adjustments.

Our fearless leaders were kind enough to bring their Cobras on the second day of class.

One of them even brought donuts after class ;)

Engine installation was the only part of the build we weren't allowed to do ourselves.

The shortest drive shaft I've ever seen...and when the car is finished, you're almost sitting on it.

 First start up!

Dropping the body on - that red finish is  gel coat that would later be sanded and painted over.

Almost finished.

Unfortunately, I had an early flight out so I didn't get to see the kit driven but I learned a lot and really enjoyed the class.