Backdraft Owners Wanted !!

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Superformance are not holding there values anymore. This in my opinion is a direct result of Backdraft. BDR is on 500 plus cars, I bet half of those would have been superformance. I agree BDR dealers are not pompous like Superformance dealers. The more I compare the two the more I realize Superformances are legends in their own minds. Nobody will compete with the comfort and leg room of a BDR. I also like the ss panels in the engine bay.

My Unique has more leg room than a Backdraft with a 90" wheel base. A comfortable ride with a Jag IRS and you can purchase a turnkey minus to order. a high quality car, handles like it is on rails and is made here in the USA. What more could you ask for?

[Cashburn]

Just to recap...

Originally Posted by pdanesh

Hi all,

I am a newbie looking into the main replicas out there and I have narrowed my search to Backdraft, Factory Five, and Superformance.
1. I would love to know why you picked BDR over any other.
2. Now that you own a BDR, what don't you like about your car and wished could be better (remember we all know that like all cars, replicars have problems too) and who else to tell me truth than real owners?
3. Do you know of any owners in the Los angeles area that I can contact?
4. Have you heard of LK Motorsports in Hermosa Beach, CA or California Cobra in San Diego,CA as potential builders?

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your input.

Payam

Payam,
You may also want to register at www.backdraftboys.com to ask Backdraft specific questions.

[madmaxx]

1) Factory assemlbed, price, leg room, looks, resale value
2)earlier bdr - 120?, trunk leaked water, fuel gage not calibrated, ebrake not calibrated, carpet kinda cheap, floor mats extremely cheap, BFG tires sucked as far as steering wheel vibration work that out with road force balane, seat belt bolts not completely bolted down, slip fit on sidepipes suked but now they are flanged, windsheild broke when hitting a bump, had to adjust coil overs differently to get car to sit level, door rattled had to wrap tape around door jamb but new ones this has been resolved
3) Keith Craft of Plano did a horific job on the install of motor and trans. I could list 20 plus items but that was not BDR's fault

[BDR298]

I looked at Unique, FFR and Backdraft. We have a local shop that builds FFR rollers and I drove a finished FFR. Unique has a great reputation and has been in business a long time. I looked at the pallet kit. the time and cost of getting a local painter got me looking at Backdraft. I followed the forums, ClubCobra, Unique and FFR.. All have strengths and weaknesses. I went to Boyton Beach and drove a Backdraft. I bought it that day. The ride is unbelievable with the BMW suspension. My wife prefers it over her Nissan Z350. I have had a few small problems like gas tank leak, had to tighten a lot of stuff. But I ride a Harley and it is similar to that for maintenance, just check stuff before you ride. On the Harley I always got into the habit of checking lights and looking for loose stuff and leaks. When I am wiping down the Cobra I do a quick inspection. I would buy another one, maybe with a bigger engine but still a small block .

[deadbeatle]

Just to set the record straight. I love the BMW suspension. If you are comparing cars, that is the place most owners/builders/dealers with talk about because that is the one major difference in the construction/parts. Most discount the IRS, saying it will not stand up to the torque, but we all know different. Great ride and corners like a slot car. I would by another one hands down.

[got snake?]

Heck we can do one better! Wait till you see Reg and any other BDR on the track a Mid Ohio! WOOHOO!!! I"m not going to be able sleep till i hit that track.

[SD5805]

Hi guys.

I'm the proud owner of a BDR. I got mine in Oct of 2006. I now have over 4000 miles on the car. The car performs like a champ. Corners like the car has crazy glue to the road. Vintage Motor sports is right on with the completion and assembly of these BDRs. Talk to Jay or Bryan at Vintage.

I set up my car as a driver with a Ford Racing 351W. It is Dynomite. I can get on it and it turns into a rocket ship OR I can cruise in 5th Geer on the Highway and still have a converstion with my passenger. You can set these cars up anyway you like. The 351W w/ the tremec 5 speed and a 3.46 rear is a very nice overall combination. Fit and finish is good and it is roomier compared to the Superformance and ERAs.

I looked at many options from FFR, Superformance, ERA, Unique, and find that the Roller concept is the best option (if you don't want to mess with building one yourself) I decided to go with the BDR and am happy with my decision.

the FFR: No resale value, your time, and money will later out weigh what the car is worth.
Superformance: Nice Car, I couln't afford a new one (a good used superfrmnce is what you can get a brand new BDR for)
ERA/ Unique/ "kirkhem": overall these cars are like the clone to the originals. These cars are very nice, they are on a different page of quality,but are BIG dollars.

With the BDR you get a lot of performance and quality at a good price and it seems the BDRs keep their value as well. This was one of the reasons I chose the BDR and that I was lucky to have Jay at Vintage Motor Sports just 15 to 20 minutes from my residence.

Happy hunting -
GAry

[Roz]

I'm with Gary call Jay and Brian @ Vintage. Those guys are awsome.

[mtpockets]

I have BDR #126. I bought it used with <600 miles on it. Keith Craft 306, 305 rwhp, fit, finish, handling and bang for the buck. I paid $37,500 > it has over 9500 miles on it in 16 months. I drive it hard, and work on it often. With the standard 15" wheel/tire package it handles very well, hooks up off the line and drives great. Lots of room inside, my sons are both over 6-4 and fit well as passengers. NO, they haven't driven it yet. I do have a couple more upgrades I'd like to do, even with them, I would do it over again tomorrow. The only thing that's holding me back from selling it and upgrading to a newer BDR is my '65 title. No knocks on FFR, SPF, ERA or Unique, they're all fine cars. Subtle differences, price, fit. It all depends on how deep the pocket is, what your trying to accomplish. Good luck with whichever car you choose.
Bill

[SD5805]

Hows the hunting going. Overall, I remember that looking and researching was the fun part. Except once you get one its drivin it that far out weights the lookin.

Have Fun
Gary

[uncltodd]

Nobody wants poor little Gunrack, even priced the same as a new roller.

There is a curse on me.

UT

[Slick61]

Originally Posted by uncltodd

Nobody wants poor little Gunrack, even priced the same as a new roller.

There is a curse on me.

UT

I'm surprised you haven't sold it. If you were closer, we'd be talking. In this case, the curse is proximity (or lack thereof).

... and of course, there's the whole registration/emissions fiasco concocted by the Republik of Kalifornia...

[thunderbolt]

UT,

Noticed you are located in SE Oklahoma, where? I am looking to buy a Cobra I had a Lone Star 5 years ago when we lived in Plano, TX. We moved to Mena, Arkansas in 2003 sold the LS right before the move. We have put on the annual "Cruisin the Ouachitas" car show here in Mena the first week in June now for 5 years. This year we had the Superformance guys out of Plano here, I really like the SPF but they are expensive. I have been looking at the Backdraft Cobra, starts out $10K cheaper than the SPF. Keith Craft from Arkadelphia had a display at our show and I'm pretty sure that's who I want my engine from.

Is your Backdraft for sale, I'm like most of the other potential buyers all I have seen is the rollers,the only one I have been able to get a ride in is the SPF that was here in June. That car is an awsome car but way more than we need.

Thanks,

Alan & Donna

[pdanesh]

I've been looking around. It looks like a BDR is the way to go. Unfortunately, I have yet to go for a ride in own. I've only seen and sat in a rolling chasis. I have also seen a few used ones but none in my area, although the prices seem to very reasonable. Is this a down market?

[Rwillia4]

What area of the country are you in? I'll give you a ride if you are in the SoCal area.

[SD5805]

Hey Fly out to CT to Vintage. I'll give ya a real ride. These cars are almost too much fun.

Good Luck

[pdanesh]

Rwillia4,

I live in LA and was actually planning a trip to San Diego to visit California Cobras, eventually. I would love to take you up on the offer of a ride. If you happen to be this far north anytime soon please send me a PM and we can get together for a beer.

Payam

[Rwillia4]

Payam,

Let me know when you are planning your trip. Once you take a ride your mind will be set.

Rob

[uncltodd]

PM sent, Alan

UT

[mtpockets]

Alan,
I sent you a pm.
Check out
http://www.radicalroadsters.com/

James has years of experience building show quality, race proven cars and has been on the cover of Kit Car. He'll get you set up. He's run KC motors in all his cars. I have BDR 126 w/KC motor and I'm very pleased. If you have any questions get back to James or myself.
Bill