Bill and Sam Convertible Conversion

[Bill]

So, my youngest son has decided to take on another one of my older projects that got shoved into storage years ago. Many projects, including several he and I have worked on together have been done, but this will be a much more in-depth conversion. We are also getting help from my grandson TJ, who is not really a car guy, but is studying to be a welder and is very helpful. Both boys are in highschool, so it is a great learning project for them. Today's progress was taking a 99 Cobra and turning it into a convertible. We will remove the doors before we take it into the garage, as we have limited side space due to happy homeowner stuff. Here is some progress from today.

 

[Bill]

Anytime you are dealing with an engine that has been stored, you may find issues. This was the first real carnage we have come across. The car stored outside in a rural area, under tarps and covers for ten years. This is caused by animal urine, most likely a racoon or squirrel. Obviously the throttle body is junk. We have not pulled the system open yet to see if it went past the flaps, but I will yet you know.

 

[Bill]

We pulled the throttle body once we had the car in the garage and found no encroachment of corrosion in the intake. I was very pleased with that. We went up to Hagerstown, MD yesterday to pick up some parts. I bought a cruise control module w/ cable, and the bracket that holds the power steering reservoir. Both of those were destroyed in the wreck that brought it to me. We have made some additional progress on the disassembly. Everything forward of the front accessories is off, along with most of the interior, the hydroboost, and other minor things. I do need to find a replacement for the power distribution box in the engine bay on the driver's side. Mine was crushed in the wreck and technically still functions, but does not meet the desired effect of what we want to build.

 

[Bill]

The Cobra is getting shorter and lighter...little hard to drive this way and might run hot, but we all make scarifies. Clearly progress has been made.

 

[StansStang76]

That's awesome you're getting the kids involved in such a big project - the animal damage on that throttle body is gnarly but at least it didn't make it past the intake!

 

[Bill]

That's awesome you're getting the kids involved in such a big project - the animal damage on that throttle body is gnarly but at least it didn't make it past the intake!

Welcome to the party. Start a thread and introduce yourself. Most of the folks that visit are looking for something. Make yourself at home. You have to be somewhere. Might as well be here.