Cheapest Cobra 289/427 Kit

[Mikey_P]

To the OP. I think your cheapest way forward would be a kit started and given up on.

To Yerdugliness I see your point but I've never heard anybody refer to an FFR as a re-bodied mustang. Of course it doesn't surprise me, I'm continually amazed at people's thought process.

Oh and I think the only mustang parts on my FFR are brakes, front spindles and gas tank.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by Mikey_P

To Yerdugliness I see your point but I've never heard anybody refer to an FFR as a re-bodied mustang. Of course it doesn't surprise me, I'm continually amazed at people's thought process.

Oh and I think the only mustang parts on my FFR are brakes, front spindles and gas tank.

It would be difficult to think of your build as a donor build if that is all that you used from the Mustang....or did you just buy the few Mustang parts new? Not criticizing, just curious if you went the donor route or not.

At one time I was keen on attending the build school F5R offered. I haven't kept up with F5R's offerings, so I don't know if the build school is still offered or not. It was a 4 or 5 day affair, IIRC, and apparently involved only an "intro" into what it involved. A real donor build uses such items from the Mustang as the gauge cluster, the steering wheel/column along with the steering and suspension parts from the chassis, the seats, the brake lines as well as all the factory brake parts (including pedal assemblies), the entire wiring harness, that sort of stuff. I was actively shopping for a well maintained and built Mustang GT, planning to build the F5R, but when it came right down to it, the paneling was just too much work for me and I didn't really like the frequently mentioned "perky butt". One of the perks of working a donor build would have been that the Mustang 5.0 GT's I was considering frequently had a WELL BUILT engine....even some Paxton supercharged motors! Since the drivetrain is a large part of the expense of building, that would have been a great benefit.

In the end, I bought an already built replica for $18,200 and drove it home. It has an incredibly well built frame, the drivetrain from an '89 Mustang GT (and more, like Brembo 4-wheel discs and a Ford 9" Traction-loc differential), and already has those things that would be extras even with a donor build, such as a paint job (that can be a HUGE expense) and wind wings and bumpers and wheels/tires, etc. I bought it b/c it was what I was looking for....a car I could drive on the street regularly and not worry about small rock chips in the paint or poor gas mileage that makes some of us think twice about driving much (I get close to 25 MPG on the highway if I keep my right foot under control).

Mr. Bruce is probably right, a kit that became too much for an inexperienced builder could be a good platform for someone who is willing to put in all the work he can and has the time to pursue budget-limited parts choices. I can't imagine getting one on the road for $10K, though, or even $18K.

Here's wishing the OP good luck in his search!

Cheers from Dugly!

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

I can't imagine getting one on the road for $10K, though, or even $18K.

Here's wishing the OP good luck in his search!

Agreed. If you are hoping to find a Cobra all in for $10k, that is just not realistic at all.

And most of the time you can get a finished car for less than you can build one for. There are some exceptions of course.

Good luck though!

[jmimac351]

Chris, the best deal I've seen in a long time was a FFR recently that had been banged up a bit. It needed a new body and a few pickup points fixed. I think that car was $12k, with 347 and tranny.

You can check the classifieds section on ffcars.com, or here, but probably better luck on ffcars.com... look for an unfinished, basic kit - as has been mentioned. You need the one from the guy who needs the money.

Then, get on Craigslist for motor, tranny, etc. As Bruce mentioned, it can be done for under $20k if you do it that way. A big variable here is body work and paint. The question is, will you be happy with what you end up with?

You might be better off looking for an FFR Mk I car, complete. I think you can get one of those for $20k.

[jmimac351]

Here you go, Chris.

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241592

[Dwight]

they all cost the same to build. If one is cheaper it's because he does not supply as many parts as the other kit or the part cost less.

If you take the kit price and double it that will give you a cheap build. Two and half times and you have a good car.
I know of several Cobra that the re-build cost was over $60,000. You can spend as much as you want on a Cobra Kit Car.

$10,000 will buy you a body and frame.

Dwight

[ChrisFranco]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2279753766.html

does this seem like a legit deal? I feel like its too good to be true...
But It has no headlights, and no paint (obviously...)
If this deal is legit, I doubt it will last...So I'm guessing I should act fast..
Whats your opinion guys?