Hi all,

Thought i'd start a new chassis strength discussion, by asking people to look at the design of some of the Cobra replicas on the market.

It seems to me that a lot of the points the Locost builders raise on a daily basis have never been addressed by a cobra manufacturer in 50 years.

I think if this forum was called Cobrabuilders.co.uk there would be no end of debate on how to improve the structure and stiffness of them.

My point perhaps is, that the Cobra is a successful kit car like the 7, yet it seems to me to be light years behind in its attention to chassis structure. Does this underline the fact that perhaps the 7 is good enough as it is and builders shouldn't get too tied up in keep redesigning it, or on the contray does it mean that the Cobra guys need to follow our lead and start to make some significant improvements?

Kind regards,

Darren

Some people simply redesign and redesign their chassis as they build and end up with nothing but a stalled project to show for it....

Lesson is just build one first to something like the McSorley plans then plan and build the next IMHO.

Cheers

Cobra chassis are made out of girders and don't seem to have any design really. Once the body is dropped on you don't see it anyway so it doesn't matter.

Lotus Seven's all about making do with the little power available, Cobra's all about making up for poor handling with grunt. You're right though, with a little application of better structural design, the Cobra chassis could be improved. Also Cobra's sell on their looks and status, something where the good old Locost seems to fail.

[Edited on 12/10/04 by gazza285]

Yep, I think gazzas post is spot on.

I simply don't think most Cobra owners are as worried about the dynamics of their cars as long as it turns heads with it's looks and noise and gives them a serious shove in the back when they want it.

7's, IMO at least are about pure driving experience, light, quick and good handling even with a relatively low powered engined.

Having said that, the Dax Tojeiro chassis with the camber compensation scheme looks very interesting!