FFR MK4 . Some great new additions

[Don DePontee]

LOL the forklift on the other side sure does blend into the background.
Don

[decooney]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Another view.........

And yet a 3rd view and similar angle for both cars. Compare for yourself. New MK4 shape vs. original Dick Smith Cobra. With a close look, are the rear, sides, doors, and profile the same?

Another few big differences I can see right off the bat that changes the look of the sides of each car is the level, height, entry/exit points, and design of the original big block side pipes as compared to the Mk4; then compare side vents in relationship to the front wheel arch, distance from fender lip and placement. Subtle variables can change the look from one make/body to another. Also, it may just be the photo, but I still see a an uphill rake to the back underside of the FFR car sweeping upward from the rear tires to the back of the car as compared to the original. One will only know comparing them side by side in person if you are trying to compare to Dick's 198 car.

[cj428]

Yep, it isn't exact. But than again it's not an original, it's a "Replica" just like ERA, Superformance, Contemporary, Unique, etc.......

[Cashburn]

I hear the big news around this development is that it is in fact a Continuation replica kit car.

[D-CEL]

If it is "Mr Smiths" car on the FF chassis, im in!
That will be quite a car.
My new 565 will be destined for a new home!
Put me on the list
Jason

[Don DePontee]

The photo of the car on the forklift doesn't do it justice, here is a better shot from a different angle.




Summary of Mk4 Changes and Upgrades:

All-New Vintage Roadster Body

Original style one-piece hood with separate rivet-on hood scoop
Rounded rear trunk and concealed trunk hinges
Rolled-edges on cockpit surround and inset dash
Revised doors, door liners, hood, hood liner, trunk and trunk liner
Vintage style 1.5” roll bar design that is still safe
Concealed body mount bolts at front brake duct and side body mounts
Re-shaped wheel openings
Lowered rear body conceals fuel tank
Re-shaped nose detail and revised radiator/oil cooler opening
All-new molds and standard red gel-coated body requires less bodywork
Upgraded Mk4 Frame/Chassis

New flush front bumper mounts with concealed body mount fasteners
Round tube front suspension x-member
Improved front suspension geometry, new spindles
Improved over-all torsional rigidity
Bolt-in rear suspensions allow 4-link and 3-link interchangeability
Enlarged driver AND passenger footboxes
Relocated seat harness mounts
Mid-trunk battery location
Revised cockpit aluminum (upper and lower rear cockpit pieces)
Lowered trunk area and fuel tank access panels
Other Changes/Upgrades:
Focus on cockpit space for driver and passenger includes new seat for bigger guys, more footbox space for driver and passenger (!)
New radiator overflow tank
New optional soft top
All-new complete kit Mk4 assembly manual and electronic PDF version system with lifetime tech updates via e-mail
Don

[decooney]

Don,

Yeah, that bottom photo you posted shows a nice view of the rear shape. Also, the front mouth/opening shot looks good. Does anyone have any shots from the front with 15" wheels and tires on it? That would be another good one to post.

You're right on, until its sitting and settled at the correct ride height with a nice set of 15s on it, sure makes it hard to see or compare to the shape of Dick's car IF that's what people are thinking its a body shape copy of.

Some of us were just talking today wondering if it was suppose to be a digitized copy of Dick's car or not; or if perhaps a some of it is and parts of it are not, if that makes sense? If you confirm it, let us know. Someone I know is thinking about building one, once he can see the body in person.

[lloyds1]

The roll bar still looks funky though. Why can't anyone except Kirkham get that right?

[aks801]

This new version sure changes the game for me. With that new body shape and everything else it had going for it, it'll be hard to resist calling FFR come order time.

[*13*]

Exactly what stuck out to me also. ERA has it right also, far as I can tell. Maybe it's the photo but the car up on the lift seems to be flexy. Maybe they'll fix that horrid roll bar angle before production? Maybe the car is merely a roller minus?

Originally Posted by lloyds1

The roll bar still looks funky though. Why can't anyone except Kirkham get that right?

[jmimac351]

I don't see it as a miss to the extent you guys are seeing. Different, yes. I think most will be inclined to take that bar and keep the extra $15-$20k in their pocket. It's interesting that this car is now being compared to an ERA and Kirkham. That's not a bad thing. It's hard to tell from the picture angles but to me it seems to share more visual cues with the Kirkham vs the 198.

Heresy!!

[Tim Brewer]

The new FFR car looks great! I believe it to be as close to orginal as ANYONE'S replica is. I say that because there really isn't an exact shape to copy. There are many differences between original Cobra bodies if you look hard enough. I even have a picture of an original with the FFR perky butt trademark.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Tim Brewer

The new FFR car looks great! I believe it to be as close to orginal as ANYONE'S replica is. I say that because there really isn't an exact shape to copy. There are many differences between original Cobra bodies if you look hard enough. I even have a picture of an original with the FFR perky butt trademark.

Please post it then (along with csx#)! Now I may finally see the original car that the famous Contemporary body was splashed from!

[Hexnut72]

It looks SO much better. It is still off quite a bit in spots but the truly terrible bits are gone/hidden. Did they do anything about the control arms so they won't break?

[convincor]

Originally Posted by Hexnut72

Did they do anything about the control arms so they won't break?

When were there control arms breaking?

[Hexnut72]

Originally Posted by convincor

When were there control arms breaking?

Go to the "other" forum and do a search. Lots of examples.

[franklin]

The back does still look different than a Kirkham or others that have a closer to original shape. The sides by the doors still look pretty flat with no narrowing at the hips. This still makes the rear wheel wells look wrong. It will be fun to see one up close and personal. The body on my old FFR would also move around quite a bit and would make noises. I would like them see them find a better more secure way of securing the body to the chassis in more places.
JMHO

[convincor]

Originally Posted by Hexnut72

Go to the "other" forum and do a search. Lots of examples.

been on the "other" since 04 and never heard anything about control arms breaking. please show me an example..

[Maricopa]

He's thinking of the Bilstein shock debacle.....

[Hexnut72]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

He's thinking of the Bilstein shock debacle.....

No, this is not the shocks, this is the control arms. Do a search on UCA failure. It is a known issue that has happened at least as often percentage-wise as stuck Toyota throttles...