New to Cobras, stationed overseas

[FighterJock]

My budget is probably floating somewhere around 50k or so...can I do a BB427 in an aluminum car for that? Some of the aluminum kits are crazy$$$.

[Tommy]

Dave,
To get the ball rolling, let me ask a few questions.

1. Is building the car important to you?
2. Do you have the time and skills to build and maintain a true kit, or would you prefer a mostly finished car where you pick the engine, transmission and wheels?
3. What is your goal for the car (e.g., a faithful reproduction of an original, or weekend cruises, or drag racing, or cross country trips, etc)?
4. Does it have to be a brand new car, or would you prefer a used car if it could be obtained for the right price?

Tell us more about what is important to you and we can be more helpful.

[FighterJock]

Is building the car important to you?
Yes, it is... I've wanted to build a project like this for 25 years...

Do you have the time and skills to build and maintain a true kit, or would you prefer a mostly finished car where you pick the engine, transmission and wheels?
My plan is to build everything but drop in a crate engine and aftermarket transmission on it, after she running, then get her primed and painted by a pro. I have the basic skills needed just can't build an engine or my own paint yet...

What is your goal for the car (e.g., a faithful reproduction of an original, or weekend cruises, or drag racing, or cross country trips, etc)? Car will be used for cruising, possibly drag racing or cross country trips.

Does it have to be a brand new car, or would you prefer a used car if it could be obtained for the right price? I'd prefer brand new but the right used car could convince me to go that route.
Thanks guys!

[Tommy]

Dave,
Based on your answers, it sounds like your interest in a Factory Five is right on target. It's a true do-it-yourself kit with plenty of support from the manufacturer and owners. The only downside I see is that are lots of low end FF cars that were built by people who tried to build cheaply and make a profit on the sale. There are also lots of well built FF cars with quality parts, but the cheap ones have diminished the reputation of the brand when compared to cars by companies like Kirkham and Superformance.

There's a rule of thumb that applies to most specialty cars. It's usually cheaper to buy a finished car like the one you want than to build one just like that. For that reason, the most common reason people have for building their own car is because they want the experience and satisfaction of doing it. It is not typically a way to save money.

There are two ways to get the best of both worlds (i.e., lower cost and participating in the build). One is to find a kit that the builder did not complete. If you do this, it is important to get a kit that still has support (i.e., don't build a Street Beast or Everett-Morrison). The other way is to get a low cost car that you plan to rebuild. That is what I did when I bought a retired SCCA racer. ... BTW, most of these cars are little more than oversized go carts, so disassembling and rebuilding one is not a huge technological challenge for the mechanically inclined.

My last advice for now regards your goals for the car. The reason I asked is because it can have a big impact on your build decisions and costs. For example, if you plan to run a 500 HP engine and big sticky tires at the drag strip, you'll need to get a drive train that is up to the task. That'll cost a bit more than one intended for brisk driving on street tires. Similarly, if you plan to build a show quality car and collect trophies, it won't hold that condition long if you take it cruising every weekend. So why spend the time, money and effort on show quality stuff if the car is destined to be a driver rather than a trailer queen.

I hope this has given you more food for thought. ... And others here may not entirely agree with some of my assessments.