Paul Proefrock's car is the car of the month on the calendar. If you don't have a calendar, it's a great picture of Paul's Hurricane. Take the story away Paul and fill us in on the details.
January 2012 Car of the Month
- Thread starter Tim M
- Start date
Kerry & Kathy
Member #007
I really like that shot of your car Paul...!
Hm1078
When I decided to build a car, I spent a lot of time researching the various companies and learning about the hobby. I wanted a car that would be "Period Correct" and be a replica of a 3000 series Cobra. As you get to know the hobby, you come to learn that many manufacturers have taken real poetic license with the body shape.
My choices had been narrowed to ERA, which was splashed from CSX3252 and Hurricane which also was splashed from an original (we subsequently learned it was CSX3235). ERA told me it would be 9 months delivery after placing my substantial deposit. Hurricane said two months plus they were in Lees Summit, MO, about 4 hours away. Deal Done - I placed my order in December of 2006 and took delivery in March, 2007 (What happened to the two months?)
I wanted to be able to say I had built the entire car so set out on that path. The frame was picked up unpainted and I spent the first month climbing that hurdle. Slowly but surely I was able to open and use the components supplied. I measured my progress by the number of boxes I was able to discard.
While waiting for my car to be built, I tackled the project of my engine. I purchased a seasoned FE block from a listing on CraigsList. Once the integrity of the block was established, I started modifying it and adding new parts. FE oiling mod's were incorporated into the bored block. I then added a Scat stroker crank, rods and Diamond pistons to come up with 432 cubic inches. Internally balanced. Edelbrock aluminum ported heads, Erson Rockers, Crane Hydraulic Roller cam and dual valve springs, ARP fasteners/studs throughout. Canton 8qt pan and windage tray. I topped all that off with a Ford Six Barrel (3 two barrel Holley) from an early 60's Thunderbird. Estimated horsepower is 500hp at the flywheel. Mallory ignition system
Lakewood bellhousing with Ram aluminum flywheel, 11" clutch and pressure plate. Hydraulic clutch, TKO600 / .64 overdrive couples to a Ford 8.8 rear-end: 3.55 gears with Trak-Lok allows me to cruise 70mph at about 2100 rpm so noise isn't an issue.
Wheels and tires are Trigo pin drive with Goodyear 235/60-15 front and 295/50-15 rear. The front suspension is based on the Mustang II geometry and the rear is and independent rear suspension based on a 97 TurboCoupe Thunderbird.
I did the rough body work and sent her to Murrill for the final paint. Struggled for two years over paint choices. I thought I wanted white with one blue one red stripe like the Racing Beat Miata but that scheme just didn't look right on the Cobra body. I saw the 350GT photo below in an O'Reilly calendar and that clinched the color scheme. Ford Performance white with Blue stripe and Red pit stripe.
Interior is Camel color with Sube Cobra seats that I had reupholstered in the tan color. The car has been fitted with a soft top. That project is being completed this winter so we can cruise the car for extended distances and not worry (least, not too much) about weather.
This winter, I've added a number of projects to make the car an even more accurate reproduction. I've come to the realization that it is likely not to be a "show winner" since it doesn't appeal to the masses - minimal amount of bling. But my goal was to appeal to the Cobra afficianado who knew his Shelby's. I want him to look at my car and say "this guy did an excellent job of recreating a Shelby" Not there yet but I keep working towards that goal.
The car now has about 3500 miles on it and typical to all our cars, a stop for gas always turns into an instant car show. Everyone knows and loves the Cobra.
The socializing that came to us when joining and participating in the Gateway Cobra Club is the icing on the cake. Cindy enjoys the car as much as I do and really look forward to the upcoming outings with the group.
A special thanks to Mark Earls for the calendar. I took the photo but he touched up the image to really turn it into a great shot.
When I decided to build a car, I spent a lot of time researching the various companies and learning about the hobby. I wanted a car that would be "Period Correct" and be a replica of a 3000 series Cobra. As you get to know the hobby, you come to learn that many manufacturers have taken real poetic license with the body shape.
My choices had been narrowed to ERA, which was splashed from CSX3252 and Hurricane which also was splashed from an original (we subsequently learned it was CSX3235). ERA told me it would be 9 months delivery after placing my substantial deposit. Hurricane said two months plus they were in Lees Summit, MO, about 4 hours away. Deal Done - I placed my order in December of 2006 and took delivery in March, 2007 (What happened to the two months?)
I wanted to be able to say I had built the entire car so set out on that path. The frame was picked up unpainted and I spent the first month climbing that hurdle. Slowly but surely I was able to open and use the components supplied. I measured my progress by the number of boxes I was able to discard.
While waiting for my car to be built, I tackled the project of my engine. I purchased a seasoned FE block from a listing on CraigsList. Once the integrity of the block was established, I started modifying it and adding new parts. FE oiling mod's were incorporated into the bored block. I then added a Scat stroker crank, rods and Diamond pistons to come up with 432 cubic inches. Internally balanced. Edelbrock aluminum ported heads, Erson Rockers, Crane Hydraulic Roller cam and dual valve springs, ARP fasteners/studs throughout. Canton 8qt pan and windage tray. I topped all that off with a Ford Six Barrel (3 two barrel Holley) from an early 60's Thunderbird. Estimated horsepower is 500hp at the flywheel. Mallory ignition system
Lakewood bellhousing with Ram aluminum flywheel, 11" clutch and pressure plate. Hydraulic clutch, TKO600 / .64 overdrive couples to a Ford 8.8 rear-end: 3.55 gears with Trak-Lok allows me to cruise 70mph at about 2100 rpm so noise isn't an issue.
Wheels and tires are Trigo pin drive with Goodyear 235/60-15 front and 295/50-15 rear. The front suspension is based on the Mustang II geometry and the rear is and independent rear suspension based on a 97 TurboCoupe Thunderbird.
I did the rough body work and sent her to Murrill for the final paint. Struggled for two years over paint choices. I thought I wanted white with one blue one red stripe like the Racing Beat Miata but that scheme just didn't look right on the Cobra body. I saw the 350GT photo below in an O'Reilly calendar and that clinched the color scheme. Ford Performance white with Blue stripe and Red pit stripe.
Interior is Camel color with Sube Cobra seats that I had reupholstered in the tan color. The car has been fitted with a soft top. That project is being completed this winter so we can cruise the car for extended distances and not worry (least, not too much) about weather.
This winter, I've added a number of projects to make the car an even more accurate reproduction. I've come to the realization that it is likely not to be a "show winner" since it doesn't appeal to the masses - minimal amount of bling. But my goal was to appeal to the Cobra afficianado who knew his Shelby's. I want him to look at my car and say "this guy did an excellent job of recreating a Shelby" Not there yet but I keep working towards that goal.
The car now has about 3500 miles on it and typical to all our cars, a stop for gas always turns into an instant car show. Everyone knows and loves the Cobra.
The socializing that came to us when joining and participating in the Gateway Cobra Club is the icing on the cake. Cindy enjoys the car as much as I do and really look forward to the upcoming outings with the group.
A special thanks to Mark Earls for the calendar. I took the photo but he touched up the image to really turn it into a great shot.
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