RCNMag.com FALL 2018 MGB-Based 289 Cobra Tesla-Powered Exocet 2018 London Cobra Show WEAPONS A military-style, twin-turbo coupe built by an attack helicopter pilot GRADE Page 40 Wedging an 860 ci V12 into a Kirkham Cobra Page 28 OCTOBER 30–NOVEMBER 2, 2018 • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA SUCCESS STARTS HERE The broadest range of performance parts for the widest range of vehicles on the planet. Find everything for sport compacts, trucks, off-road vehicles, hot rods, musclecars, exotics, UTVs and ATVs. REGISTER FOR SUCCESS AT SEMASHOW.COM Contents THROTTLE STEERING 6 All the Leaves Are Brown By Steve Temple, Editor RCN ONLINE 8 @RCNmag.com A preview of current online exclusive content. FEATURE CAR 10 Bird of Prey The Hawk 289 Cobra soars with the spirit of the original. By Iain Ayre TECH 16 Wisdom Teeth How a retired dentist became wiser in the replica business. By Larry Weiner READERS’ RIDES 22 Electrifying Potential Building an Exocet with a Tesla powertrain. As told by Ben Horst 40 FEATURE CAR 28 One-of-a-Kind Cobra Packing an 860 ci V12 into a Kirkham Cobra. By Steve Temple On the Cover FEATURE CAR 34 Germanic Persuasion Crafted by a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, this twin turbocharged Drawn into the web of a 550 Spyder. FFR Coupe is a tire-smoking testament to 22 years’ military By Steve Temple service. Photo by Keyhole Photography. COVER STORY 40 Weapons Grade A military-style, FFR coupe built by an attack helicopter pilot. As told by Erik Treves 10 22 TECH 46 Column Craft Tips on installing a comfortable and steady steering system. By Fergus Ogilvy EVENT RECAP 52 In a Family Way The London Cobra Show, like a family reunion — only better! By Karen Salvaggio DIY 60 Patch Job Repairing bodywork at home with prepreg fiberglass. By Dan Burrill FEATURE CAR 28 64 64 Snake Handler How an Aussie Python attacks its prey. By Steve Temple TECH 70 FYI on EFI Borla’s high-performance electronic fuel injection. By Steve Temple READERS’ RIDES 76 Reaction Time A rapid response to the bite of a Velo Rossa Spyder. As told by Tim Mullikin RCN 76 IN THE NEXT ISSUE: 82 Fall Vendor Preview Big-Block Ken Miles GT40 RCN Le Mans Hardtop Cobra 88 Marketplace Power Plays: Hot Engine Setups for Cobras BMW V10-powered Superlite SL-C ”Spitfirrari” British-Born Barchetta 4 Advertiser Index CONTINUATION, REPLICA AND LOW VOLUME AUTOMOBILES B Rod or Custom, Inc. ...............................63 Published by: BAT Inc. / Mocal USA................................88 Birkin Direct-USA ..................................63 1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd., PO Box 220 Borla Induction . 27 Three Lakes, WI 54562 Cavaliere Roadsters ................................89 www.rcnmag.com © Copyright 2018, COLE Publishing Inc. Cheetah Evolution..................................27 No part may be reproduced without permission of publisher. In U.S. or Canada call toll free: 866-933-2653 Craft Performance Engines ..........................92 Elsewhere call: 715-546-3346 Email: [email protected] / Fax: 715-546-3786 CRS, Inc...........................................51 Office hours Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST Dove Racing.......................................88 Factory Five Racing ................................2 SUBSCRIPTIONS: A one year (4 issue) subscription to Forte’s Parts Connection . 89 ReinCarNation™ Magazine in the United States is free. Visit www.rcnmag.com or call 800-257-7222. Haywire & Co., LLC .................................51 Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to Hurricane Motorsports..............................27 carefully selected companies whose products or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer not to be a part of these lists, please contact ididit, LLC.........................................7 Nicole at [email protected]. Land & Sea Collection...............................89 DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Contact Brad Bisnette or John London Cobra Show ................................51 Kendall at 866-933-2653 or [email protected]. Publisher Meaty-Delivery ....................................88 reserves the right to reject any advertising which in its opinion Brad Bisnette John Kendall Motorspot, Inc. ....................................51 is misleading, unfair or incom- patible with the character of Plastex Plastic Repair Kits...........................88 the publication. RUGID . 91 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Please send to Editor, ReinCarNation Magazine, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI S&M Triumph Restoration ...........................9 54562 or email [email protected]. Scarab Motorsports LLC.............................63 CIRCULATION: Average circulation is 15,000+ copies per month (U.S. and Canadian distribution). SEMA - Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association..3 Shell Valley Classic Wheels, Inc.......................6 Stewart Warner....................................51 Facebook.com/ReinCarNationMag Ultimate Classic Cars . 88 Vintage Wheels....................................63 Instagram.com/rcnmag ZGT Cars/Reaction Research, Inc. .....................88 reincarnationmag.com | Fall 2018 5 THROTTLE STEERING All The Leaves Are Brown nd the sky is gray, as the lyrics go in California and I recommend getting one of those DIY plastic ADreamin’. Even if the trees in your area sheds so you have a spot to put all your ice chests, haven’t turned color yet, they likely will gardening tools and other items you won’t need until soon as the days get shorter and the weather colder. next spring. It’s amazing how much space a shed can So another season of car shows has come and gone, free up. The one I got from a large wholesaler went which might stir up some wistful feelings. together in a weekend, with just a cordless drill and For replica builders, though, the coming fall and help from an extra pair of hands. winter months can be a good thing. These seasons If you have another vehicle that’s getting in the mean more time in your garage to work on your next way like I do, then you can look into a few DIY outdoor Steve Temple project car. What sort of preparations are you making? storage options for that too. Many wholesalers and Editor Obviously clearing out a workspace is the first building centers sell canopy-style or metal carports priority. (That reminds me: I need to get my stepson that can be constructed quickly and hold up to severe Austin to move out his partially done tuner car, which weather. Another interesting option I came across is he hasn’t touched in a year.) The more room the better, the CarCapsule, which is an inflatable structure that 6 provides protection while showing off your ride as well. You can also look As for choosing a project car, that’s a very personal matter, but make into renting a storage unit if they permit gasoline-powered vehicles. sure you’re passionate about it so you stick with it. Whatever your preference, Once you’ve cleared out a space in your garage, you also might consider calculate all your costs in detail beforehand, including items that need to be looking up — literally. A lift system not only gets a car off the floor, but also farmed out to a professional (typically prep and paint work). These costs simplifies mechanical work. If you have room and are considering a lift, include shipping, fasteners, powder coating, accessories, customizing, wheel choose one that has a higher rated capacity than what you think you’ll need. alignment and so forth. And then multiply that final number by 1.5, as For instance, a lift rated at 9,000 pounds provides an extra margin of safety, nobody ever completes a car within the initial budget. You’ll inevitably have even though your vehicle might only weigh 5,000 pounds at most (or perhaps some surprises along the way. half that, in the case of most Cobra replicas). A four-post lift can also free These are just a few of many tips for tackling a buildup, and we’d like to up a parking space in your garage, provided you have sufficient ceiling height. hear from your experiences as well. Take some pictures along the way, and Stocking your garage with all the right tools is a subject in itself, and you let us know how it went: [email protected]. should keep your winter projects in mind and tool shop in the fall. If you’re building or tuning an engine in the offseason, consider an engine test-run stand. This setup makes it easier to check and fix leaks, vibration, strange Steve Temple noises, and any other issues, and get the job done right the first time. The [email protected] fall is also a good time to find deals on other specialty tools like presses, stands and air tools. reincarnationmag.com | Fall 2018 7 NEWS & ALERTS Visit RCNmag.com RCNmag.com and sign up for our newsletter. Get exclusive content delivered @ right to your inbox. Visit the site daily for new, exclusive content. Read our daily content and get the most out of ReinCarNation Magazine. Old Cars and New Friends in Elkhart Lake A full weekend of vintage racing at Road America brings us new friends, feature cars and plenty of stories to tell. www.RCNmag.com/news/ old-cars-old-racers-and-new- friends-in-elkhart-lake Thunder Ranch 718 RSK Ode to the Small Block Chevrolet With less than 800 miles The small block Chevy continues to be a mainstay on the clock, this 718 RSK for racing, hot rodding and everyday driving. replica is worthy of the Porsche showroom floor. www.RCNmag.com /blog/ ode-to-the-small-block-chevrolet www.RCNmag.com/ fresh-finds/thunder-ranch The Best D&D Grand Sport Out There? Armed with all the faithful Grand Sport bodylines, authentic magnesium wheels and nitrogen air jacks, this D&D Corvette could be the best of the breed. www.RCNmag.com/fresh-finds/ the-best-d-d-grand-sport-out-there A Tour of the Scarab Skunkworks A quick walk-through of the Scarab Motorsports’ R&D facility provides a behind-the-scenes look at how iconic race cars come to life.