Factory Five slabside

[jolsen42]

I think I have the first "Mr. Bruce" Factory Five Slabside . Hopefully this summer I should have it finished or close to finished. Here are some pictures of my journey. I originally purchased # 1293 in 1997. It's gone thru a number of iterations. First an SC,


Then a semi street,


then a full 427 Street,


and now a 289 slab. I purchased the body from "Mr. Bruce" about a year ago.

This is a pic on the way to the painter.


I've had a number of modifications that I had to do to make it work. While the body is a drop on , their are a number of things to do to make the slab body work. The FIA would have been a lot easier, but I've always loved the slabside. I had to move the fuel tank behind the seats.

I had to lower and build a shelf for the tank to sit on.


I also had to move the front suspension in about 2" each side to keep the front wheels tucked under the wheelwells


Make a slab dash,

This pic is a little dark but you get the idea.



and a number of other mods.

Here are some other things, replicating a Slab motor, and the coolant expansion tank.


Here is the body after paint, done by the "Incomparable Ron Randall aka Metal Morphous"



More to follow

John O

[mickmate]

That's looking great John. Nice work!

[pb4ugo]

Nice build. Where can I get a set of those headlight cages?

cheers

[Silversmith]

A#1 transformation!! Do you plan to have it at the FFR summer meet??? I would love to see it live. Mabe Dave Smith would rethink offering a FFR slabside/Fia kit Seeing the intrest this soon to be stunner! would generate!!!

[Maricopa]

Just like rust, John never sleeps!
I'll miss having another 427 street car around but I sure am digging it's new skin.

[Maricopa]

D'ouble post.
God this site's quirks can be a PITA.

[jolsen42]

Thanks Nick, recognize your coolant crossover tube?

Originally Posted by mickmate

That's looking great John. Nice work!

The headlamp guards I think I got From Moss Motors. Made the brackets, sourced original thumb screws from e-bay.

Mike, I think that rust analogy was a compliment.

John O

[Dennis O'Shea]

Outstanding looking Ride great job you should feel very proud

[mickmate]

I saw it, I dig the little touches like that. Dash turned out nice. That grill is a really nice piece.

[ICBomber90]

Originally Posted by jolsen42

I also had to move the front suspension in about 2" each side to keep the front wheels tucked under the wheelwells

John,

Awesome Re-re-re-build! Just a few questions....

Did you change out to pin drive width LCA's? Is the rear-end standard Fox? Where did you source your wire wheels?

Thanks,

Pat

[dallas_]

John,
I thought your 427 street car was one of the nicest FFR's I've ever seen and I was really sorry to see you dissasemble it.

But your slabside might end up being even better.

Can't wait to see the finished product. Thanks for keeping us posted.

[jolsen42]

Hey Pat, thanks for the kind words. Yes I did use pin drive LCA's and still had to move the mounting point in even further. I also had to move the upper shock mounting Hole in and also do a hatchet job on the upper arm. The wire wheels I purchased from Dayton Wire Wheels And yes it is a Fox rear, narrowed.

Regards,

John O

Originally Posted by ICBomber90

John,

Awesome Re-re-re-build! Just a few questions....

Did you change out to pin drive width LCA's? Is the rear-end standard Fox? Where did you source your wire wheels?

Thanks,

Pat

[JimTMich]

Beautiful!
How was the body from Mr. Bruce? Pretty straight, or need lots of hi build primer and sanding for the BRG?

[JimTMich]

Also, where did you get the grill?

[jolsen42]

Jim, the body is just great. According to Ron Randall, it's better than the Factory Five. The grill I got From Hawk in England.

John O

Originally Posted by JimTMich

Beautiful!
How was the body from Mr. Bruce? Pretty straight, or need lots of hi build primer and sanding for the BRG?

[JimTMich]

Good to hear.

Question on the narrowing of the front end, did you use 15x8 rims or 15x6? When I talked to Mr. Bruce about a slabside he indicated with a Factory Five Frame, pindrive width and 15x6 wheels that the wheels and tires will fit properly. I see you had to relocate front suspension....

Thanks for answering my questions. Your build is beautiful. I would like to do the exact same thing. I grew up driving a 62 Triumph TR4. I think a Mr. Bruce slabside on a factory five frame with a 302 would be a perfect replacement.

Jim

[mr bruce]

yep, pin width, 6" wheel, Fox spindles, Lincoln 5 bolt rotors, and 205 tyres, fit rite under the fenders with no suspension modificatons, I got a picture somewheres around here showing that settup, gotta look.