Factory Five/superformance/backdraft

[Wiplash]

I was about to pull the trigger on a FFR MK III, but I decided to buy one that is already finished.

I like the Factory Five features (frame etc.), but I don't know the difference between the FFR and others.

I didn't want to get raked across the coals on the Factory Five Forum for just asking the question, so here it is...

"WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES?"

Thanks

Brett

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Wiplash

"WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES?"

Brett...the major difference is that the FFR is a component-based kit, while BDR and SPF are factory-built and painted rollers.

[Wiplash]

Hold it!---Let me qualify the question...(sorry)

I know the Backdraft and Superformance are pre-made rollers, and painted to specs. The Backdraft is longer by three inches. You can have independent rear options on the FFR.

OK--Are the dimensions of the Superformance the same as the Factory Five (I like the dimensions of the FFR).

Quality of build (fit and finish) of the Superformance and Backdraft (?)

Are the frames of the Superformance and Backdraft as good as the FFR?

I'm about to drop the Backdraft out of contention because of the length. (It just seems European or something because of the stretch.) It will take someone knocking my socks off with praise of the Backdraft to keep it in the race to my driveway.

Thanks

Brett

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by Wiplash

I'm about to drop the Backdraft out of contention because of the length. (It just seems European or something because of the stretch.) It will take someone knocking my socks off with praise of the Backdraft to keep it in the race to my driveway.

You're going for looks and you're considering an FFR over a BDR? I feel like I'm missing something. Have you looked at the two?

Steve

[mpanten]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

You're going for looks and you're considering an FFR over a BDR? I feel like I'm missing something. Have you looked at the two?

Steve

I have to agree, A FFR is pretty easy to spot compared to the rest of them. BDR not so much but you can tell the difference( Personally I like them) SPF, ERA, pretty close in appearance. When I had my spf painted I the body shop guy had a FFR in there and I asked him how much time he spends on one? He told me that he ususally has 4 guys on it for a month to a month and a half, granted when he is done with them they look extreamly nice but they are not cheap. I guess my point is that if you want a comperable car you are going to spend comparable money, so the real question is how nice and how fast do you want it?

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

You're going for looks and you're considering an FFR over a BDR? I feel like I'm missing something. Have you looked at the two?

Steve

Is he missing something? It may come as a surprise to some but some people don't like the extra length and the sloped nose on the BDR. I happen to like the BDR cars but they do have a unique look to them and it's possible some people may or may not like it.

[Hammer65]

I have a series of BDR & SPF photos for comparison that were sent to me when I was making a decision. There are 41 photos between 26 and 80 KB. I can't attach them to this. How can I share them?

[Dangerous Doug]

On buying a used FFR, there is a big difference between buying a car that was built using a "donor" and one that was built using all new parts. Be clear on what you're getting before you plunk down any cash.

In terms of the body shape, FFR has the so-called "perky butt" relative to other manufacturers. Some like it, some don't. ERA has profiles of several cars you can look at to compare their shapes: http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

DD

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

On buying a used FFR, there is a big difference between buying a car that was built using a "donor" and one that was built using all new parts. Be clear on what you're getting before you plunk down any cash.

In terms of the body shape, FFR has the so-called "perky butt" relative to other manufacturers. Some like it, some don't. ERA has profiles of several cars you can look at to compare their shapes: http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

DD

I have a SP but the expression " perky butt " is something to think about allright !! Do you have any pictures ?? Not of some car.

[Wiplash]

So...Let me get this straight...It sounds like the BDR is the bes "Bang-for-buck". Is that right? I've been on my Factory Five kick for about six months now that I decided to get a cobra. I'm just fresh in the market to look at other manufacturers.

Where are the best shows to go to in the midwest to find them all in the same place to compare apples and oranges?

Thanks

Brett

[jmimac351]

Brett, if you are looking for a new roller then you could argue that. You should keep in mind what you can get a completed FFR for as well. $35k puts you in a very sweet spot for a good FFR. You could end up with something that has some very attractive premium parts. It's true that with the BDR you have a factory built car compared to a privately built car. But in some cases these "home built" cars are very impressive depending on who is doing the building. Don't think that just because it's factory built you won't have problems. I would suggest you speak to some BDR owners directly. They are great cars but each make can have its quirks. I know quite a few guys with BDR cars. Some have had some issues but overall they're pleased with the purchase.

[SKINNEDR]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

Brett, if you are looking for a new roller then you could argue that. You should keep in mind what you can get a completed FFR for as well. $35k puts you in a very sweet spot for a good FFR. You could end up with something that has some very attractive premium parts. It's true that with the BDR you have a factory built car compared to a privately built car. But in some cases these "home built" cars are very impressive depending on who is doing the building. Don't think that just because it's factory built you won't have problems. I would suggest you speak to some BDR owners directly. They are great cars but each make can have its quirks. I know quite a few guys with BDR cars. Some have had some issues but overall they're pleased with the purchase.

I have a BDR#471, and to date no problem with the roller.
The only problem I ever had was with the motor that was installed. That is totally seperate from the roller itself. BDR are solid, and you should not expect to have any king of problems.
I stand corrected, there is a siginificant problem to be expected when owning a BDR..
"YOU WILL HAVE TOO MUCH FUN DRIVING IT"
Dex....

[Joe Wicked]

Brett, I started on my quest back in the beginning of August. I knew of FFR, and I was convinced that was what I wanted to do. Now as I have gotten to know the people and the various cars, the less I am still wanting to do my own build. I added up the cost of everything and found that a FFR/Hurricane/Lonestar/Shell Valley would all end up costing about the same as the rollers. I figured out that in the end I would spend the same amount of money, plus all the labor. I am now leaning to a roller, so I can at least have some of the effect of building it myself, but I am not ruling anything out at this time.

[Wiplash]

I heard Whitby's builds the FFR for you. Is that true? If so, what's the cost for a roller?

Thanks

Brett

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by Wiplash

So...Let me get this straight...It sounds like the BDR is the bes "Bang-for-buck". Is that right? I've been on my Factory Five kick for about six months now that I decided to get a cobra. I'm just fresh in the market to look at other manufacturers.

Where are the best shows to go to in the midwest to find them all in the same place to compare apples and oranges?

Thanks

Brett

I think in a factory built car, the BD is probably the best bang for the buck. In a kit car that you'll assemble yourself, Ithink the FFR is the best. Two very differant options.

Fortunatly for you, the London Cobra Show is coming up soon. Spend the day in London, OH, and see just about everything you can imagine in a Cobra.

If you're there on Friday, go over to the hotels and look and talk some more. I'd be willing to bet you find plenty of people willing to let you sit behind the wheel, and take you for a ride. You won't run out of people to talk to, but you will run out of time. Take notes.

http://www.londoncobrashow.com/

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Fortunatly for you, the London Cobra Show is coming up soon. Spend the day in London, OH, and see just about everything you can imagine in a Cobra.

If you're there on Friday, go over to the hotels and look and talk some more. I'd be willing to bet you find plenty of people willing to let you sit behind the wheel, and take you for a ride. You won't run out of people to talk to, but you will run out of time. Take notes.

http://www.londoncobrashow.com/

Great advise! That's exactly what I did last year. Now BDR 687 should be here in a few days and I'll be at London next year with it!

Steve

[mrmustang]

Let's see if I can explain this one from the perspective of an FFR owner who has also owned ERA,Contemporary, SPF and far too many FFR's to keep count of.

SPF, Very refined, fit and finish is top notch, bought as a roller or used as a turn key, you cannot go wrong at $38,000 for a painted roller....Frame is square tube, but do not hold that against it as the square tube vs round tube hype has been beat to death and the naysayers on both sides will say theirs is better than the others.

FFR, sold as a non turn key kit, fit and finish is left up to the individual owner/builder. Not as refined or as water tight as the SPF or ERA. Still a ton of fun to not only build, but to get in and race (I happen to have road raced several of my old FFR's). I've seen some extremely nice FFR's, and have seen some truly horrible builds that make me wonder why I bought them to tear down and rebuild. Safety factors prohibited me from doing anything but trailering some of these cars home...Some purchased less than 5 miles from my old address.......Again, fun to build and drive it your way. Downside is the attention to original body details as the current FFR body (rear end) is not as faithful to the original, even with the changes they have made to their current MKIII.5, the upside is if you wait, they will have a body splashed off Dick Smiths original 427SC coming out some time in the near future. Again, do not get caught up in the round tube vs square tube argument, as both have been engineered by their respective manufacturers to exacting safety standards. I've seen several FFR,ERA, and SPF's that have been in major accidents, and each one kept it's occupants equally as safe (similar collisions).


I have also seen some beautiful Backdrafts and would not rule them out, cannot personally comment on them further as I have yet to own one .........


Now, of course the real question is, what do you plan to do with the car? Are you building a big block or a small block powered car? Are you looking for a nice street cruiser, or do you plan to drag race, autocross, or road race with it? Your intended use, and your realistic budget is the real deciding factor.......

Hope you find this helpful.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

[Wiplash]

Thanks guys!

OK--I want it to become a highly used car. (Almost, but not daily driver) I don't want a big block. I would like to do a solo 2 here and there. **A fun, yet useful expensive toy**

I would be willing to pay around 35K for something used. I'm not in the market to spend 50K and above on something I'm building. That seems to be the theme--investing around 50K, yet selling for around 35K. Sad, but true.

I need all the opinions I can get!

Thanks again!!

[ROUSHAC]

Brett, check out these two threads. Some good info on all three brands (along with some misinformation, of course).

http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186274

http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185974

I love my BDR, but I'm a big guy who really appreciates the extra room.

I have seen many great FFR builds and Superfornance certainly makes a very nice car.

Like Bill said, a lot depends on what you want to do with the car. You owe it to yourself to test drive all three, if possible, once you decide on your priorities.

Whatever you decide, you will have a permanent everytime you drive it or even think about it. Remember Nike's motto: "Just do it!"

[SkipB]

Wiplash,

As a Backdraft owner and a person that did quite a bit of research before buying a car, I must tell you that the extra 2 inches of length in the Backdraft wheelbase is virtually undetectable. (It also adds more cockpit space if you are tall) I've had FFRs and Superformance cars sitting right next to my car and you really will never notice the difference. As for frames, all the cars you mentioned have very well thought out and engineered frames.

What brought me to the Backdraft was a combination of issues. First the rolling chassis appealed to me, as opposed to a car I had to build. (No room, time, expertise, etc.) Second, I thought about buying a built FFR, but that opens up Pandora's box. Many are very well built and beautiful cars, some, not so great. The "Perky Butt" has been mentioned, and I wasn't too much a fan of that either, although I hear there is a "fix" for this. Don't get me wrong, FFRs are great cars when they are done right.

So, it narrowed it down to Superformance vs. Backdraft for me. I am a BMW fan and have owned many of them over the years. So, the BMW based suspension that rode and handled very well was a real plus! At the time I bought mine, there was quite a price difference too. The Backdraft was considerably cheaper, even after factoring in the engine and transmission, labor, etc. Throw in the fact that I was able to "watch" my car being built on the Backdraft website and it was easy for me to make a decision. I'm glad I bought a Backdraft, and truly think it is a great car.

The Superformance is also a great car. Excellent build quality, great frame, paint, and is a more authentic reproduction. I drove several of them, including small and big block cars, but I just loved the way the Backdraft handled vs Superformance as well as the other brands.

Just my two cents, but I mainly wanted you to know the "extra inches" on the Backdraft make only a positive difference!

SkipB