kit car ratings

[jackmi]

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this question, is there a thread that ranks the Cobra kits , old and new, by manufacturer? If not, could I get opinions? Thanks, Jack.

[vettestr]

Jackmi,
The answer is always the same and always right! MINE is the best no matter who you ask.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by vettestr

Jackmi,
The answer is always the same and always right! MINE is the best no matter who you ask.

No, the FFR guys don't even try that anymore.

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, the FFR guys don't even try that anymore.

http://jmimac351.smugmug.com/gallery...22307634_jaGNE

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

http://jmimac351.smugmug.com/gallery...22307634_jaGNE

Yours is the "exception that proves the rule."

[JAM1775]

patrickt....I did not see any reference to "FFR guys" in the statement by vettestr. Rather than turn jackmi's thread in the wrong direction .....

I'd like to agree with each of Bill's comments as solid baseline considerations. If I may add you may want to start by contacting the major manufacturers for their brochures and marketing DVD's. Start at the websites. ...call...consider visiting a company if time allows.
But hey...there's nothing wrong with spreading those brochures across the table on a summer afternoon ! Take your time..don't rush..enjoy the fact you have the options to pursue such an awesome goal !

Besides concerns already mentioned, how much work you want to put into the build or pay/participate in having it built by a local race shop, how much money you can afford to spend and how owners in your area express their satisfaction with their company are key factors in your decision. The worst thing for any home build is not having good customer support and technical advice when you call for help! A good start is obviously NOT choosing a manufacturer who has a frustrated customer base. You can meet Cobra replica owners at most local cruise nights. Ask the questions. Half the time Cobra owners are approached at gas pumps or outside a local store. In my area it's a given on a sunny weekend afternoon. Most guys love to spend 5+ minutes talking about their Cobras, hot rods or musclecars. You learn a lot about different kits while narrowing your decision talking to these guys. At cruise nights guys sitting near their Cobras ( or better yet groups of Cobra owners) at cruise nights are usually more than happy to talk you to death about their cars ! And....very likely you establish friendships for when you are doing the driving down the road !

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by jackmi

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this question, is there a thread that ranks the Cobra kits , old and new, by manufacturer? If not, could I get opinions? Thanks, Jack.

What is your budget?
What is your intended use (daily driver, autocross, road race, drag race, or just Sunday driver?
Do you want a big block or a small block?
Do you want a Ford or "alternate" power plant?
Automatic or stick shift?
Do you want a 427SC, 289FIA, or slabside body style?




Answer these simple questions and perhaps we can help you whittle down your selection(s).



Bill S.

[Maricopa]

It's not all that hard to build an FFR that looks like a C*bra, you just have to WANT to.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

It's not all that hard to build an FFR that looks like a C*bra, you just have to WANT to.

Which begs the question "why don't more FFR owners build cars to that level?" Clearly the plethora of poor FFR builds must be an outgrowth of the apathy of the owner.

[Maricopa]

They're not 'poor' builds, most of the FFR cars I see are built very well. They are just of a different mindset when it comes to 'REAL-ness' and the owners often choose FFR because they can build a fun car for about 1/2 of what the typical ERA guy spends on his. I only have about 27K in mine and there are many things I would have done differently (like IRS, pin-drive wheels, FE, etc.) if I'd had the bucks. I did what I could with what I had with the intention of making a fairly accurate looking car. Many FFR owners don't care about re-creating the look, that doesn't make them lesser cars.

That said, when a good 75% of any grouping of Cobras are FFRs you're going to see a wide range of quality of build.

[Dinobyte]

I need more detail to finish...but you get the idea.

[Xybram]

Originally Posted by Dinobyte

I need more detail to finish...but you get the idea.

I don't know where you get your ratings from. I am guessing it is purely subjective. It is a nice spread sheet though.
But there is some information that you have that is just plain wrong.
FFR is NOT available as a roller.

The price you have for FFR is for a complete kit. What that means is you could build the entire car and add an engine trans and wheels and be done. With ERA you still have considerable expenses

MAJOR COMPONENTS NOT IN THE BASIC KIT:

Engine: Ford 427 or 428 recommended, others possible
Transmission, Ford toploader, Richmond Gear or Tremec 5 speed
Rear suspension unit based on Jaguar XJ sedan, or our custom outboard-braked design
Flaming River steering gear (FR1502-3X3) or equivalent
Upper steering column and steering wheel
GM front rotors and calipers (bolt-on wheels only)
Front coil-over dampers
Wheels and tires
Handbrake handle and cable
Exhaust system (side pipes or undercar)

I think ERA is a fantastic kit. My first ride ever in a cobra was an ERA. But it is substantially more expensive then an FFR. However, if you are trying to build an accurate representation of a cobra the FFR is not the kit for you. There are things you can do to make it closer but it will never get there. ERA and Backdraft are much closer. But if I had the money I would go with Kirkham!

Since FFR has about 7000 kits sold there is a substantial aftermarket for parts that will enhance the kit. The forum, as far as an aid for building a car, is second to none.

So back to the original question. The first question you should ask yourself is do you want to build a car. Then what is your budget? You have to add in major components like engine, trans, wheels, and PAINT. These few items can easily add 15-20K to the cost of the kit.

HTH
Chris

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

They're not 'poor' builds, most of the FFR cars I see are built very well...

You're absolutely right. Not sure what came over me.

[jmimac351]

Thanks fellas. I ask myself why there aren't more like it all the time. I can't tell you how many messages I get from FFR guys about it yet time and again the same 17" / Cobra R wheel look appears on the forum. I didn't do anything special. I copied the Comp dash layout, covered it in vinyl, and put Goodyear Billboards on it with knock off wheels. Matter of fact, I did a lot of things under the hood I wish I hadn't (chrome alternator, etc.). If FFR would come out with a 289 car I'd be all over it, do it "right", and it would be a keeper. I'd probably even throw rocks at it to give it some patina.

[john lomonaco]

This is a picture of my crappy FFR. Everything on this car is brand new. The
engine is not a crate motor put together by a couple of illegal aliens or south africans making a few bucks an hour. It's hand built and designed by my son and I and features a new World 351 block, Crane cam, Ross pistons, Holley carb etc. I will park this car next to anybody's car and not feel ashamed. The point I'm trying to make is that an FFR build is not automatically inferior
to anyone else's car and I'm getting a little tired of feeling like a 2nd class citizen here. I applaud the beauty of Kirkhams, the originality of Superformance, Backdraft, ERAs and others but I've also seen some very nice FFRs. The main difference here is that these cars are not sold as rollers but typically hand built by their owners and build quality will vary. I have also seen some poor builds but let's not let a few bad apples spoil the bunch.

[Dinobyte]

Beautiful Car!

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Dinobyte

Beautiful Car!

I agree, John's car is beautiful.

I look at Cobra's the same way I do Pizza. There's good Pizza, and better Pizza. But there's really no bad Pizza.

I bought what I liked, and what I felt was one of the better replicas available. However I would never look down on anyone elses car because of the choice they made. I don't have to feed my ego by bashing someone elses choice of vehicles.

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by john lomonaco

This is a picture of my crappy FFR. Everything on this car is brand new.

Nice car John! I think we've managed to tamp down the irrational prejudice against Factory Five and his Peacemaker.

Jack, when you say you have a SPF, BDR, Kirkham, or maybe an ERA - people have an idea of what the car is in terms of fit, finish, dash layout / overall look, etc. When you say you have a FFR the realm of possibilities for the Finished car is endless since that's mostly up to the builder. That doesn't mean you won't find some FFRs that are as nice as some of the other Finished cars. However, if you are concerned about resale the potential buyer won't automatically know some of those things and it may take a little more work to "sell" the finer points of your car. You'll find lots of SPF cars with big blocks. Your cost to entry is going to be more but during these times you should be able to buy the car right...which helps at resale. Lots of really nice cars are to be had.

Good luck.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

I think we've managed to tamp down the irrational prejudice against Factory Five and his Peacemaker.

Perhaps, but the rational prejudice remains firmly entrenched.

[RACERAL]

SO, Patrick... go ahead and do your little rant about how bad FFR's are , it seems you are just busting at the seams to start the discussion.