Author Topic: Cobrastang  (Read 6986 times)

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GPR

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Cobrastang
« on: January 11, 2019, 10:42:57 AM »

 
   
I bought Ken McLellan's Cobrastang 1969 SS/G factory backed Mustang in 1973 on the way home from the Winternationals in Pomona. Ken got out of Drag Racing when he lost his Ford sponsorship. Ken set the SS/G record many times, the record was 11.09 when I got it. In 1971 Ken won Super Stock at the World Finals in Texas. In 1973 I took the car to the Gatornationals because I broke a converter in my car. I had not driven a 4 speed car in 4 years. With no practice the first time run was 11.11. Broke an axle during qualifying. I raced it only a few times because it was breaking a lot of parts; axles, wheel studs, clutch, etc. I used the engine as a spare for my SS/GA and set the record in 1974 with parts from it. In the early 80's we backed halfed the car, put a roll cage in and stripped it to race brackets (what a mistake). It has been in storage for over 20 years. Only has 21 miles on it.





This is how it looked in 2005



It is finally time to get the Cobrastang out of storage and start the restoration. It has been in storage a long time 









It is in the shop. It looks good in the photo but there is a lot of work to do. This will be a long term restoration because we have to repair it in our spare time. We have a lot of customer cars to work on.







« Last Edit: January 11, 2019, 11:43:47 AM by GPR »
Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

cjshaker

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2019, 11:10:33 AM »
That is some darn good company he had in Fords program back then. I like the crazy '70s paint jobs that SS cars had back then. Too bad it was back halved. Are you going to keep it that way, or put it back to original race trim? The tubbed version should certainly get TommyT's attention..lol
Doug Smith


'69 R-code Mach 1, 427 MR, 2x4, Jerico, 4.30 Locker
'70 F-350 390
'55 Ford Customline 2dr
'37 Ford Coupe

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2019, 11:21:39 AM »
It will be restored as close as I can as race by Ken McLellan.
Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2019, 06:55:49 PM »
Today the windshield and back glass was removed.



Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2019, 06:02:02 PM »
Today I removed the rear bumper, end caps and deck lid. The deck lid was sanded to bare metal and the back side still has the original black paint.







Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

WConley

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2019, 11:36:33 AM »
That will be very cool to see come back to life!  Keep us posted.

- Bill
A careful study of failure will yield the ingredients for success.

fekbmax

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2019, 02:53:35 PM »
Did the rear quarter's get changed to 70's ? Filled in the side scoops maybe ? Picts of the race car shots show the 69 side scoops, not seeing them on the red car.
Keith.  KB MAX Racing.

machoneman

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2019, 04:06:02 PM »
Did the rear quarter's get changed to 70's ? Filled in the side scoops maybe ? Picts of the race car shots show the 69 side scoops, not seeing them on the red car.

Yea, were the quarters replaced with '70 panels? Sure looks like it........
Bob Maag

Heo

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2019, 04:41:44 PM »
In the pic from the side through the back window
you see where the side scoop is filled in



The defenition of a Gentleman, is a man that can play the accordion.But dont do it

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2019, 07:57:06 PM »
This is the Cobrastang before it was painted.



After it was painted candy blue, magenta, green, and red.



I wasn't sure what color the base was under the candy. I thought it was white and when I sanded the fiberglass end cap you can see magenta, white and black.



I sprayed three coats of SPI black epoxy on the deck lid.




Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

Cobrajet2

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2019, 11:31:01 PM »
Great pictures, Rusty. Keep them coming. I think its great that you are putting it back to the way Ken had it and you bought it.

When Dallas Kelley's "Wrecking Crew"  Fairlane got restored, I felt it was a little "wrong" that the car got put back to stock and not the crazy paint it had for so long when it was a race car. But, I understand that not a lot of people will pay big $ for a car done in race car trim.

Congrats to you for restoring the car AND the History of the car.


Mike
"That guy has got a pocket full of money and a watch full of time!"   Hubert Platt.


lowriser

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2019, 02:25:16 PM »

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2019, 01:35:51 PM »
I sanded the fenders down to bare metal





I sprayed two coats of SPI black epoxy primer



Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder

Heo

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2019, 03:55:14 PM »
Hey Rusty those fenders dont live up to your name :D



The defenition of a Gentleman, is a man that can play the accordion.But dont do it

GPR

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Re: Cobrastang
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2019, 09:43:24 AM »
Hey Rusty those fenders dont live up to your name :D

There is a little surface rust on the back side!!
Rusty Gillis

Former NHRA SS/FA & SS/GA National Record Holder