New to Cobras, stationed overseas
 

Hi everyone!
Glad to be here...been sharing a dream to build a 427 Cobra with my dad since I was a kid. Now I'm 35, and although I'm currently deployed in the USAF, I'm hoping to share the build time and some driving time with my dad and a 427 kit I'm planning to buy when I get home. Thanks in advance for the tips and help I know I will find here.
All my best fellow cobra lovers.
-Dave

We'll be happy to help and advise. Tell us when you need something specific.

Retired AF pilot

Tommy, what did you fly?

Dave,
I flew OV-10s in Europe 1978-83, but spent most of my career as a T-38 IP. The AF has changed a lot since I retired in 1992.

How small the world is. I was at Ramstein from 78-83.

Since the OP lists Factory Five, I think the FF forum would cough up targeted advice.

Vince KCC

As it is now the middle of the night where Dave is, I'll intrude a little more on his thread by adding that I too was at Ramstein in 1981-83. I was in DOOF (the Fighter Ops shop). You?

I'm stationed at lakenheath... Flying strike eagles. Small world gents!

Not so glamorous. A space operations guy watching after the computers in USAFE. Lots of memories I would not surrender. Will you be at London? Mike, Dwight and others out of northern Alabama usually spend some time with the Kentucky folks.

Dave: If you indicate where geographically you will be in the States when you do the build it will engender more responses IMHO.

i think you'll have to go big and go aluminum.

retired atc--looking out for my brothers:3DSMILE:

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$$$.

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.

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!

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.

Man the world gets small. I'm USAF ret CATAM/cop and my brother was a pilot with the Rocketeers (SP?) in the first gulf war. He loved the big Eagle and retired not long ago after flying lawn darts for the AG.

I drive a Backdraft because it fit me/my budget/my lack of body work skills etc. Any questions about them I'd gladly answer.

Steve

I think the hot ticket would be a Factory Five with an all aluminum ls376 (chevy). You can buy the engine from GM in a crate for less than $7k with warranty and the ecu is a little more and have a very nice running setup. What the guys are using in the RCR-SL. Race-Car-Replicas - 586-329-1573 - Superlite Coupe Fran the owner could probably set you up if you tell him you are a fighter pilot, since he liked this post. I doubt it happened too, but....sounds good.

Vector...that's a great post! I've seen that pic before, and I'm pretty sure something happened very close to that to inspire the joke! I've heard some pretty funny things flying all over the world. Thanks for the link, I'm keeping an open mind, but I keep coming back to the idea of a big block 427FE.