FFR's perky butt keeping it down?

[joey_hv]

So what is keeping FFR from being a top notch contender in the glass replica category to the likes of say ERA or Superformance? is it the non traditional chassis? or the perky booty or something else I missed?

[Bill Wells]

what ? i must be missing something ....with the thousands of units FFR has made, their various product offerings , on going r&d and improving their breed time and time again . i would say they already are a top notch offering for the put it together folks who dont want or can't afford a completed roller - or want a car more customized to their tastes .

I have seen FFR examples built by virtual amateurs that rival many rollers with some exceeding completed rollers- to say nothing of their lighter weight and power to weight advantage they can many times achieve with lesser powered motors than in heavier rollers .

sheez, get out the popcorn . post your comments on the FFR forum and be ready to run . Bill

[joey_hv]

I guess I was just going by resell value. no offense intended. just trying to learn here, trying to learn.

[SPF1061]

Joey HV -
Every replica manufacturer has their own strengths and weaknesses and as a result tend to carve out their own nitch in the market (or simply fade away). I personally am not too crazy for the current FFR body shape, though many people love it. It appears that their next generation bodies will be much more faithful to the originals and I think this will overall serve them well. I have seen some FFRs that could hold their own with just about any thing on the road (James' coupe comes to mind!) BUT, you cannot realistically expect to put (and I'm pulling theses numbers out of my a$$ for purpose of illustration) $30,000 into a car and have the same vehicle as a $60,000 car, or the $60,000 car to be the same as the $120,000 car....
I really don't think the folks at FFR intended for their cars to appeal to the same needs and desires (and budget) of say an ERA, or Kirkham, or .....
The beauty of the Cobra legacy is that it has inspired so many manufacturers to produce so many variations and options, that thrill and fun of owning and driving a "Cobra" is within the reach of so many of us average Joes.
It doesn't matter what brand climb into - just enjoy the ride!

[Maricopa]

The re-sale of FFRs is hurt because of the inconsistency of the end product (Some are incredible, most pretty damn good and some pretty damn poor), the 'incorrectness' issues and the simple fact that they tend to have less invested to begin with. I have about 25K in mine and I would probably ask 30-32K to start with when/if I sell it. If I'd built it with a Sideoiler, IRS and Trigos I'd ask more, just like somebody that builds an ERA or buys an SPF asks more for theirs. It simple reflects what they have in it.

As a side note I think there's simply a different market segment that buys FFRs beyond mine (the 'poor' segment ) and that's folks that don't want them traditional. They want a hot rod/race car and figure why pay for the correctness of an SPF/ERA etc, when they are going to put modern wheels, drivetrain and non-traditional paint jobs on them.

Just my take

[patrickt]

You can tell a lot by watching a Cobra drive away, as opposed to towards you. There is a difference, and once you're used to it, you can't miss it. Here's a shot my ERA from the rear.

[joey_hv]

That is one great rear end...

[Power Surge]

I agree with Maricopa. The FFR resale has been diluted as a whole because it's a "kit" car. That meaning, the finished product is the result of who built it and what parts were used. I'd be lying if I said I haven't seen a few FFRs that I wouldn't even go for a ride in out of safety for my life . And on the other end of the spectrum, there are some superbly done, no donor built FFRs. And FFR was my first Cobra, and I can tell you the "BASE" car as you get it from FFR is an outstanding design. Where it goes from there, is up to the owner. Another thing on the value end, is the starting price usually has a great affect on the finished price. People see the FFR as a $15k purchase, and when it comes selling time, they don't account for the other 10-15k in parts or all the man hours of labor. But people know an SPF or ERA roller costs $45k or so, so they see that as the "starting point" for their personal basis on end value.

Just my 2 cents.

[CobraEd]

Do the stripes normally taper like that? My car is solid red, so I have no frame of reference, but I didn't think they normally taper. Looks pretty good.

.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

Do the stripes normally taper like that?

Yes, 7.5" at the top, tapering down to 7.25" at the top of the trunk, and ending with 6.25" at the very end of the stripes with a 1" separation between the stripes throughout.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by joey_hv

That is one great rear end...

Never underestimate the power of a perfectly proportioned posterior.

[289fia_cobra]

I think that is the key thing about FFR. They don't build their own cars and never will.
So the inconsistency argument is valid as mentioned above. Some spectacular, others I would be ashamed to say are from the same company as mine. ( FFR 4883 here.)

I'm sort of in the middle. Good build, nothing fancy but nothing like the original. Carbed, but using modern I-Squared electrical. Dual roll bars just make sense. Never liked the old fashioned Smith gauges so went AutoMeter. Highback seats because that made sense too.

I really am a refelection of the 'don't care for my ride to be exact. ' It's first and foremost a car built along the same premise as Carroll Shelby. A race car for the streets because of the homologation rules back in the 60's; a "gentler" bull.

But I really do admire those that have replicated the original. I have no gripes at all with that. And those around in NorCal don't really baby their SPF's either and that's a good thing. The cars were meant to be driven and driven hard.

As far as resale, I could care less to be honest. At the end of my driving life, I'll sell it for probably what I built it for (free labor.) I really did enjoy the building experience and learned to be an electrician, plumber and better mechanic after in the process and that is priceless.

[Dangerous Doug]

Don't forget about the psychological factor of their advertised low kit price of $16k (or something like that). This is a great hook for new buyers, and it seems profitable for FFR. However, when you go to sell an FFR the first thing a new buyer is going to think about is that pervasively advertised $16k starter kit price---that sets the anchor price, and everything else after that will be judged by that number. "So, you want $50k for an completed FFR? But, jeez, the KIT only cost $16k..."

This effect (not on FFR's but in general) was studied extensively by Kanneman and Traversky (I think I got the spelling correct) at Stanford U.

[RACER X #99]

For those who just want a track Cobra, I don't think any other brand can come close. Least expensive kit to purchase, most run on better performing 17" radials which also allow larger brakes. Some may laugh at the Mustang inspired suspension but many REAL race cars have Mustang suspension components.
Without the FFR Spec racers there would be no REAl Cobras racing. The Shelby spec series did not take off. (too expensive)

If you want something that looks just like an original Cobra then the FFR is probably not for you.
If you just wanna go fast in a lightweight racer give the Smith Bros a call.

BTW I don't own a FFR.

RD

[RACERAL]

Now, to answer your question.. the FFR ass end was designed that way intentionally. Because of the use of the stock Mustang gas tank.
Kirkham and ERA are the only 2 with the correct body shape.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RACERAL

...Kirkham and ERA are the only 2 with the correct body shape.

The CSX-4xxx cars don't look that bad....

[jwd]

Originally Posted by RACERAL

Kirkham and ERA are the only 2 with the correct body shape.

The Hurricane is almost identicle to them since it is a direct splash off an original Cobra body.

[1985 CCX]

Keep in mind that some cars which were splashed from original cars can still be different. The next question is which car? ERA used CSX2345 for their FIA (an unmolested original) and peters CSX3252 for their 427 car. Keep in mind that CSX3252 was a street car that had a wider lower fender area when viewed from the rear than does the S/C. Contemporary used CSX3045 an original S/C which was in fact an early car. CCX issues were more related to suspension height and geometry, once that is fixed or adjusted out the correct look is there. Remember these are all hand made cars so they vary in their original state as the numbers progressed. I can't remember which car KMP or CSX glass cars used but at least they were originals.

What car did Hurricane splash from? Second question was the car in its original state or re-body as many are.

This has been a question that has seen at least 10 threads before. FFR makes a solid representation of the original car with some slight compromise to the body. Some say it was to enable the use of the Mustang? It will be interesting to see what their next generation CSX3035 car will look like. If it is a true splash from 3035 it will probably change their overall appearance in many areas of the shape and construction.

Regardless buy the car you like and can afford. Then enjoy it, as it will be a great time every day you add miles. Cheaper than a shrink and better for the soul.

[Power Surge]

I was told by a Hurriance owner that there were things "changed" on the production Hurricane body, for the sake of staying away from body shape lawsuits.

With that said, this owner's car was the first Hurricane I had seen in person. I was VERY impressed with the body shape as it was. Even though I like FFRs, and bought one myself, if I were in the market for a "build it yourself" type Cobra again I'd go for the Hurricane over the FFR now.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

I can't remember which car KMP or CSX glass cars used but at least they were originals.

KMP - CSX3104
CSX - CSX3178 (supposedly)