1954 Hansen Cobra

Wally and Harry Hansen were brothers living in Inglewood, California, and the creators of the Hansen Cobra fiberglass-bodied sports roadsters. Initially known as glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), this new material offered several advantages over traditional metals, as it was lighter, stronger, non-conductive, and could be molded into complex shapes. Fiberglass became popular in aircraft, septic tanks, water tanks, swimming pools, boats, and automobile construction.

The Hansen brothers had worked in the steel fabrication business and, having experimented with fiberglass, understood the potential of fiberglass. In 1953, they began construction on a pair of hand-fabricated, fiberglass roadsters that would be attractive and potent. They built two box channel steel chassis with holes drilled into them to reduce weight. Suspension components for Wally's car were courtesy of a 1953 Oldsmobile, while Harry's car used 1940 Ford suspension componentry. Wally's car was powered by an Oldsmobile V8 303 Rocket engine with 200 horsepower and paired with a General Motors Hydramatic transmission. Harry's car received a Cadillac V8 engine with 235 horsepower matted to a Lincoln three-speed manual transmission. The Cadillac was the more powerful of the two and was able to achieve 100 mph at the end of the quarter-mile, compared to 90 mph from the Oldsmobile-powered Cobra.

Both Harry and Wally's custom cars were given fiberglass bodies, and additional trim pieces were sourced from various American automobiles. There were modified Studebaker bumpers, modified 1953 Chevrolet rear taillights, 1952 Cadillac headlight rings, and a 1952 Chevrolet upper grill bar. The rear window was from a 1953 Studebaker fitted in a Corvette windshield frame.

The two Hansen Cobra automobiles took nearly a year-and-a-half to complete (17 months). By every barometer, the car's achieved the goal of being exclusive, attractive, unique, and powerful. Yet they were also impractical, devoid of weather protection, front turn signals, seat belts, or even a trunk.

The cars made their debut at the Petersen Motorama (in either 1954 or 1955). Years later, they were featured in an article in the February 1955 issue of Motor Trend magazine.

One of the two cars is currently located in the Petersen Museum in California.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024