Back in 2004 I finished building a Cobra kit car. The kit I chose to use was from RUCC (RU Car Crafters where "RU" is Roger Upton - they're no longer in business). They (he) built a backbone chassis 427SC kit. I dropped in a 428SCJ. I built two separate "kits" - the drive train, which included the 428SCJ and a toploader transmission, and the Cobra itself. I've not yet found another site detailing the RUCC kit, so I hope to do what others have done for Factory Five and Lone Star kits - give a detailed blow-by-blow diary of the construction. I've taken a trip to visit RUCC and have a page dedicated to that visit with some details of the RUCC operation. Enjoy your visit.

It's been 22 years since I brought this kit home, 18 years on the road, and 20 years since many of these images and web pages have been updated. Here's what's happened in the 20 or so years of having this thing on the road......

• Fun for 2011: God, Guns, and Cars - three American basics. And since the "Cobra" is famous as an Army gun ship (Bell AH-1 Cobra), it seemed appropriate to mount a "Ma-Deuce" (M2, 50 cal Browning Machine Gun) onto the roll bar of my car.
• New in 2017: Holley Red fuel pumps are known to "whine" - boy, do they! You definitely know if your fuel pump is working or not! After getting tired of hearing fuel pump noise over header/exhaust rumble, it was time to quiet things down. I changed out the Holley for an Aeromotive Carbureted Phantom in-tank pump.
• New in 2019: after 15 years of driving with a four speed and running 3000 RPM at 60 Mph, it was finally time for an overdrive transmission. Installing a TKO600
• New in 2022: enough of squealing alternator belts. Upgrading to a serpentine belt system

The original build

• The 428SCJ build
  • Short Block assembly
  • Long Block assembly
  • Mounting the tranny
• Rebuilding the Transmission
• The Cobra build
  • RUCC Assembly Manual (pdf)
    • Additional hood latch template.
    • Additional template for mounting the wiring harness bulkhead connector.
  • Picking up the kit
  • Prepping the body
  • The chassis build
    • Brakes (including a later addtion of an emergency brake).
    • Driver controls: Steering, Clutch, Pedals
    • Installing the drive train
    • Wiring harness and electrical system
    • Fuel delivery system
    • Engine plumbing: water, oil
    • Suspension
      • Information on rear-caliper clearances with 15" wheels.
    • Interior work
    • Miscellaneous assemblies
  • Trimming out the car
    • Exhaust system
    • Mounting hood and trunk
    • Installing windshield
    • Installing overriders and bumpers
    • Installing roll-bar (and "weather seal")
    • Installing toneau cover
    • Miscellaneous trim pieces
    • Painting the Cobra
      • Hood
      • Doors
      • Trunk lid
      • Body proper
    • Final Assembly
    • Obtaining a title
  • The visit to RUCC
  • Want to know more about the RUCC kit? Visit the Club Cobra web site or see my copy of the RUCC Flyer This contains information on the RUCC kit contents, packages and pricing (check with RUCC for the latest pricing and package information).
  
  

  Various Drawings and Assemblies

  Through the course of time various people have asked for drawings or specific detailed information on the RUCC build. This informations is scattered in the links above, but as much for my own sanity as anything, I've also consolidated them here:
  • Pictures to go along with RUCC assembly manual
  • Wiring Diagram (functional)
  • Wiring Diagram (physical)
  • Nose Guard ("bumper") mounting bracket
  • Rear Overrider mounting bracket
  • Door hinge drawings

  
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