D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 3 Custom Lowered Nose Corners

[Bob Brandle]

D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 3 Custom Lowered Nose Corners

Also See Part 1
D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained (thefactoryfiveforum.com)

& Part 2
D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 2 Custom Rear Cove & Taillights (thefactoryfiveforum.com)



Another design feature area where I though the coupe could use some repli-mod re-styling is the lower nose corners.

On the original Cobra Daytona Coupe, on most if not all replicas and on the Type 65 Coupe, the lower nose corner bodywork “rises up” exposing the front tires. It’s a 1950s into the 60s styling trait.
And then I saw images of a non-Cobra, 1950s “something” British sports car, I believe, that just stuck in my head. Can’t get it out of there. Please excuse the photos of this yellow car.
That styling trend went away pretty much in the mid-1960s and I thought that it should too on my custom Type 65 Coupe.

Once again, I developed a Photoshop solution concept using available photos of the Factory Five Type 65 Prototype/Show car. While maintaining the flow of the curves and shapes of the Type 65 body, I lowered the corners. By my design, the lowered corners would integrate with the flat body under the center of the nose to create a flat full-width under-surface body that would be future-proofing for a possible front splitter plate.




Here’s a few more looks at under the nose design bodywork designs.




To Be Continued

[Bob Brandle]

Continued

D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 3 Custom Lowered Nose Corners

Examining and working on my coupe’s nose body was best upside down.



I decided to go for it.
I decided that it was best to not remove or cut away any of the original body work, but add a “nose corner-cap”. The undisturbed fiberglass body would maintain its full strength, while the few pounds of added fiberglass would be unnoticeable to me in my level of performance driving and expectations.

I created a formed dam around the lower corner area and proceeded to pour in mixed 2-part liquid modeling/carving foam.
I then, sawed, carved and sanded the shape what I though looked best to accomplish “the look” I was after, one that had the lowered and flat bottom while maintained the organic curves of the body.
A vertical air dam was not what I was after, nor one that would too low and compromise street driving.



A thin layer of modeling clay was added to cover the whole foam shapes. This was to fill in the pores of the foam and with sanding, increase the surface smoothness to prepare for make a fiberglass mold of each corner. From the molds, usable “production” pieces, for both corners would be made.
My custom nose design was to allow the original surrounding sculptured body shape of the radiator opening and fog lamp to remain and be prominent, but the sides of the nose to body have a flush transition.
The bottom surface of the nose corner pieces are in line with the flat under nose body, for a full with flat bottom.




The fiberglass mold making procedure.



Once the fiberglass mold pieces were made, cured and removed, I cleaned and smoothed the inner surfaces.

Using the two molds, I laid up fiberglass mat and resin pieces that would be the actual usable nose corners. You can see them on the table and then one mounted on the nose body. Precise and careful trimming of the edges of nose corners was important to get a good fit.

As an element of manufacturability, I decided that it would be best to have most of the fiberglass corner piece to body joining be on the unseen inside. So, I cut a circular access hole in the body in each corner, thru which I would insert my gloved hand, fiberglass mat and resin on brushes and blindly lay up the joints on the insides.




To Be Continued

[Bob Brandle]

Continued

D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 3 Custom Lowered Nose Corners



With both nose corners trimmed, positioned in place and ready for permanent attachment, layers of fiberglass mat & resin were applied.
The body prep / paint shop (Jeff Miller Customs, as it would be) would perform the Bondo/Rage Gold, etc. final blending and body prep. of the nose corner pieces and body together.



To Be Continued

[Bob Brandle]

Continued

D8YTONA Build Custom Features Explained - Part 3 Custom Lowered Nose Corners

Here are some of the first few real looks, right side up, of what’s been created.



Better views with the full body preparation surface body prep. blending and painting, as I picked up the full painted Coupe at Jeff Miller Customs.




And finally the completed and graduated Coupe in full sunlight.
The surface blending by Jeff and Jose was perfect. The look was what I wanted.

[JimStone]

Once again, incredible stuff. Your car is truly 1 of 1

[Skuzzy]

Beautiful work.

[neilkuy]

These small details make all the difference. Excellent work.