Why buy a Factory Five?

[Tallguy]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Not to stir the pot, but I've seen some horrific crashes involving FFR's, SPF's, EM's, CSX's, ERA's and a few that I was unsure of the make and model due to the type of damage and quality of pictures sent to me over the years.....Don't just believe the hype involving round tube vs square tube main frame rails as both style are engineered differently but have the same type of built in "crumple zones" (at least those listed above) that protect the passengers equally. Also, do not think that those tiny little 1X1 cross tubes will do you any good in a crash, same goes for the .020-.030 non structural aluminum panels that you pop rivet in with what else, aluminum pop rivets with a sheer and break force that would really surprise you after an accident. Don't think I'm bashing FFR (Dave Smith and I go back to almost the 2nd month he was open for business), as if you dig deep enough you'll find out I've owned over 15 of them (along with ERA,Contemporary, and SPF) to date and will more in the future (and the others as well).

Bottom line, instead of searching the forums, you need to go out and see each brand of cobra replica in some form or another, make sure you bring someone along who knows what they are looking at, and then make up YOUR own mind based on what you have personally seen and touched. Keep an open mind to everything you see regardless of who built it or what kit it is, as you might be very surprised at what you find out there right now.


Bill S.

Very well said Bill! I have been researching my kit choice for months, and while each kit is different, crash protection is very poor in all of them, compared to modern day standards.

FFR makes big claims about their frame, but this is really due to the stiffness for racing, for which I have heard it is fantastic Stiffness does not equal crash protection IMO. Just look at the FFR rear. The gas tank has virtually no protection. When I was at FFR two weeks ago, I asked, and they said it is designed to shear off and go under the car in a rear end collision. Great, that's what I want is to have the tank expode under my seat! I am not trying to bash FFR, but I think that their frame is a bit over rated with respect to safety. I know Dave Smith rolled and walked away which is a great testament, but I worry more about impact from another vehicle.


FFR rear

For side impact, every Cobra I have looked at is very poor. Think about any modern SUV or truck. Let's just say you are just a bit better than a motorcycle in that situation. My 5800 lb lifted Avalanche is well....a scary thought.

We have to treat these cars like they are motorcycles and try to avoid accidents.

BTW, FFR is still on my short list, as is ERA, Kirkham, and Hurricane...

Mark