FFR vs Superformance

[steven566]

Hi guys,

I have a buddy looking for a cobra and he was wondering what you get for the extra cash that a Superformace costs. I didn't really know. Do you guys have any thoughts on the subject?

Steve

[steven566]

he is also looking for a local car, so if anyone has one for sale, please let me know and I can send him the info. I know he likes my FFR that Gordon built, but I don't have any other insights into what he's looking for.

Thanks,

Steve

[computerworks]

Apples and oranges.

One is a basic kit of parts, with many options on how you build it...from the ground up...the other is a completed factory built replica.

Has your buddy looked at either company's website?

[bobcowan]

What you get for all that extra money is the labor to build most of the car for you. All you need to do is add engine/trans.

With that in mind, you get a more consistant quality when looking at used cars. Each Superformance is just as good as the last. Generally speaking.

The FFR - or any kit you build - will have varying build quality. Some people spend years selecting the proper parts, performing the assembly, and adjusting everything until it's just right. And some people slap it together in a few months with worn out parts.

[Tony Ripepi]

Good Question,

Another option is a local ERA for sale in Pheonix----- $61k.

http://www.cobracountry.com/home2.html

Takes the choice up one more level.

Tony R.

[mikiec]

The ERA that is for sale is a very nice car. I met the owner about 5 months ago.

Mike

[Mike Brasfield]

As stated, apples and oranges. SP is a very nice automobile, can't go wrong if you like to drive with little building skill or desire to build. FFR is more along the lines of building the car and then driving. Both are great ways to get into a Cobra for less than $5.3 Mil.

[steven566]

What are the ERA's all about?

[Tony Ripepi]

Hello Steven,

ERA is out of Connecticut and have been in the Cobra Replica business for a very long time. ERA builds a very accurate reporduction in Fiberglass with the original style round tube frame. Their body is a splash off of an (Peter Portante's) original car and they have one of the best reputations in the industry for the quality of their cars and business practices. They sell component vehicles , rollers and turn key cars in several formats.

Take a look at their Website....huge amount of really good info.

http://erareplicas.com/

Good Luck in your decision, have fun.

TR

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by Tony Ripepi

Hello Steven,

ERA is out of Connecticut and have been in the Cobra Replica business for a very long time. ERA builds a very accurate reporduction in Fiberglass with the original style round tube frame. Their body is a splash off of an (Peter Portante's) original car and they have one of the best reputations in the industry for the quality of their cars and business practices. They sell component vehicles , rollers and turn key cars in several formats.

Take a look at their Website....huge amount of really good info.

http://erareplicas.com/

Good Luck in your decision, have fun.

TR

While VERY nice cars, ERA's do NOT have a round tube frame.

[Tony Ripepi]

I stand corrected and red faced.....

You are right 767.

TR

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by Tony Ripepi

I stand corrected and red faced.....

You are right 767.

TR

Tony,
I wish my wife would say that once in a while!

[Mulv]

The main differences between FFR and SPF are:

The SPF car has no Mustang parts
The following are standard equipment on an SPF car:

Wipers
Tonneau cover
Top
Side Curtains
Smiths style gauges
heater
wood rimmed wheel
Pin drive wheels
a full trunk with carpet and no gas tank in the way
Bilstein shocks
Coilovers
hood hinges and locks
correct taillights
65 mustang style inverted shifter
aluminum rad
show quality paint
leather seats
wool carpets.

If you add these things to a Factory Five and have someone put it together, you will spend a lot more than the $40K or so that an SPF costs. If you put Roush engines and Tremec transmissions in both, the SPF will be cheaper.
It will cost at least $10K to duplicate the SPF paint.. The body on the SPF rolls under at the dash and rear header as well. You have consistent build quality on the SPF that you will not get in a used kit car. There are builders and master builders..

If you want to go to the track, there is no question that the SPF will be way slower than a FFR, prep for prep and with the same driver and identical power. I have driven both at c.140 on tracks and the FFR is way better and less scary. I know whereof I speak having held an FIA International 'B' license for years. I am sure someone on the forum will have a different opinion who has not driven both on a track and pushed the cars hard.

Soooo if you want to drive around, the SPF is a much nicer and complete car, if you want to do the roadcourse thing, the FFR is your car. Neither one is an exact copy of the original, close but not exact. For that you need the primo Cobra, either a Shelby continuation or the Kirkham from whence it comes...

[Dream Master]

Mulv wrote:

If you want to go to the track, there is no question that the SPF will be way slower than a FFR, prep for prep and with the same driver and identical power.

Truly unbelievable. What an opinion...and that is all it is. My One Lap Car that won in 1999 was basically stock, other than lowered suspension and 17" wheels. All the Major Automotive magazines around the World have tested and proven and documented that our Superformance cars handle extremely well. Our Coupe holds the record for skid pad #'s with Road and Track. (1.07) Car and Driver posted .96 with our MKIII with Street tires back in Sept.1996. How about our Car and Driver street car shootout, and the Supercar shootout '03. Motor Trend, Automobile magazine, etc.

MULV, how can you state "there is no question" You post as if you are the "handling Guru of Cobras", yet your profile shows nothing.

It's obvious why I don't post or read this Forum much. I almost forgot.

Let the attack begin, and have fun, but I'm signing off for a few more months.

Doug Reed

[Mulv]

Originally Posted by Dream Master

Mulv wrote:

If you want to go to the track, there is no question that the SPF will be way slower than a FFR, prep for prep and with the same driver and identical power.

Truly unbelievable. What an opinion...and that is all it is. My One Lap Car that won in 1999 was basically stock, other than lowered suspension and 17" wheels. All the Major Automotive magazines around the World have tested and proven and documented that our Superformance cars handle extremely well. Our Coupe holds the record for skid pad #'s with Road and Track. (1.07) Car and Driver posted .96 with our MKIII with Street tires back in Sept.1996. How about our Car and Driver street car shootout, and the Supercar shootout '03. Motor Trend, Automobile magazine, etc.

MULV, how can you state "there is no question" You post as if you are the "handling Guru of Cobras", yet your profile shows nothing.

It's obvious why I don't post or read this Forum much. I almost forgot.

Let the attack begin, and have fun, but I'm signing off for a few more months.

Doug Reed

People who have actually competed in pro racing series know that skidpad numbers do not neccessarily reflect the handling ability of a car on the track. It is about transition which is about mass and suspension setup. That is why a Peterbilt tractor on a skidpad will post a higher number than a Crown Victoria (which I have personally witnessed at a school for CHP officers) but will never outrun the police....

I stand by my statements having driven both a SPF car which I owned and a FFR which I borrowed. I personally am not at all comfortable in the SPF on the track. If you want to argue, that is ok with me , I have plenty of people who will tell you that both cars have diabolical handling - some of whom have the hospital bills to prove their point. If you read the original posting , there was a call for opinions on the two cars. If you have driven both cars in stock trim , which is 15" wheels and crappy Goodyear balloon tires without changing the suspension from the settings in the manual as I have done, I believe you will come to the same conclusion. Unless of course you are a SPF dealer so that you are ever so slightly biased.

Brian, Let's get the track one day so we can goof around a bit... Jeff, bring the Cobray so you can have some fun as well...

This forum has opinions that vary, try not to get too wound up Dreamer, 1999 was a long time ago FFR has come a long way as has the One Lap field... my last pro race season in enduro was 3 wins 3 seconds and a 4th in 7 races. The level of competition now would make it a dream season to come 10th..... and as to my profile - not everyone has tiny body parts so they don't feel the need to boast about their possesions or accomplishments...

[steven566]

I think he will probably want something around 400-450 hp with 17" wheels. Probably something like all of the Backdrafts that I see around.

I will see if I can get him on the forum.

Steve

[mobilenuke]

Steve, locally we have Anthem Motors up north off 17 which is the local Superformance dealer. They also sometimes have other makes there for consignment sale. If he just wants to look at one I have an early edition built in 1996, SPF#136.

Jeff

[BDR427R]

Originally Posted by steven566

I think he will probably want something around 400-450 hp with 17" wheels. Probably something like all of the Backdrafts that I see around.

I will see if I can get him on the forum.

Steve

Steven,
I own a BDR and have not heard or met anyone else in the valley who owns one. Do you know of other BDR owners in the Valley? I would be interested in collaborating other Valley BDR owners.
For what it is worth, like the Factory Fives the BDR roadsters have a good track performance and handling reputation. My expectations were far exceeded upon the delivery of my Roadster. I with bias would recommend to your freind taking a look at a BDR. One of the many resons I picked the BDR is because of the longer wheel base. I am a little over 6'2" in height and fit in the car quite well.
Justin

[MadDog]

Back to your original question about what you get for the extra money it costs for a Superfomance the answer is nothing.
Superformance is a nice quallity replica but with a well built FFR with good quallity parts you get just as nice of a car for your money. If you are looking to build your own car. Its all about the quallity of craftsmanship put into the car.
MadDog

[fsstnotch]

As another option, Hurricane is a great kit. And they do sell a complete turn key minus car for a shade under 29k if i'm not mistaken. It could be compared to the BDR, but with the accurate 90" wheelbase.

Josh