Anyone in here ever built a factory five car?
I've been thinking about building one just for fun (and put a ton of HP into it) but i've never built a kit car before.
Has anyone built one and what is your (subjective) opinion on how hard/easy/enjoyable it is to build one?
I've worked on cars up until a few years ago and figured i may want to get into it again.
How hard/easy are kit cars to make street legal in california?
A couple of my freinds are in the process of building Porsche 550 Spyder replicas. The process does not look too difficult. I imagine that a cobra kit car wouldnt be too bad either. I would really love to do a GT40 kit car.
I'm considering either a GT40 or something entirely different... Probably not a cobra, but i haven't made up my mind. I'm considering powering it with something on the right side of 500hp.... [img]/images/graemlins/supergrin.gif[/img]
Look up "Joker" on the VCA site, he has built a Factory Five Cobra and is now building the Factory Spec Racer. I not sure what the exact name of their race car kit is called. Matter of fact his Factory Five Cobra may still be for sale around 22K or 21K.
If you want to spend a little more money for a "turn key minus" option with a great fit and finish. Take a look at Superformance cobras and at www.gt40cars.com
A FFR car is actually very easy to build! I've worked on kits where 90% of everything had to be fabricated. Most kits like FFR, ERA, and some of the high-end hotrods have damn near all the pieces ready to be bolted on.
You can, patience willing, build an entire cobra in 20 hours.
Beck 550 spyders are great cars. Also, Calspyders (Ferrari 250 GT "Spyder California") look very nice if done right!
I love hand-build vehicles.. as it gives the person pure artistic license. However, I_DESPISE_WITH_A_PASSION these cheaply thrown together fiero boltons and shit. Do it RIGHT, or not at all.
If your enterested in an ERA kit... A finished GT40 was for sale here not too long ago. I talked to the owner, he sank 80K in the built total (and damn was it acurate!) but he sold it for a whopping 125K!! This thing was flawless... you could imagine her on the back straits!
When I finish my house, I have plans to build a car. I still love the lambo look, but hate the build quality from factory and the engineering behind it (a 500hp refrigerator LOL). Ferrari has always had the best engine tech, based on 70's F1 motors untill recently. If I did a Diablo, it wouldn't be a replica.. rather an evil incarnate. Already have a local supplier for the tube chassis and body. However, my power plant would consist of a twin turbo V10 and getrag 6spd. Their V8 cars weigh in at 2400lbs w/ the carbon work they do... so figure 2800lbs for a loaded V10. 2800lbs with 700 ponies on tap = INSANE.
ERA GT40's are AWESOME. Like I said, a well built detailed replica can yeild a VERY nice profit. Even w/ the new Ford GT, the original will be just as sought after.
FFR is more of a modern version of the cobra.. IRS, EFI (if wanted), etc. etc. Much more of a road car than an exact replica. Cheaper too... I'd like to have one w/ a EFI 427 conversion and Corbra-R rims.
Get a rolling chassis GT40 from www.gt40cars.com. The thing is a work of art. Polished welds, stainless monocoque chassis. Take a careful look and comare it with the ERA. When you compare dollar for dollar the rolling chassis one is MUCH BETTER and a higher quality. Depends on how nicely you want it finsihed. If you want to do an AC Cobra, I would also recommend the Superformance cars. Yes they are pretty much all done for you, but to duplicate that car with that level of quality would cost nearly the same thing. And those care are show ready. I think Fontenot has a Superformance car. I have driven them as well. NICE cars, fit great. Look perfect.
I have actually looked long and hard at the Ultima. A friend of mine is building one and i am seriously tempted. The only thing is the money -the ultima is seriously expensive.....
but i am considering both the CAV GT40 and the ultima. I have also thoughts on the FFR racing car they are working on right now.
I've seen a few ultimas up close. Very nice cars, however I doubt I could fit in one very well [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Never really liked the front end, but the back half of the car is all business!
If you do decide to build, drop me a line. I have lots of very good books on just about anything you will need to know... as well as some experience in building from the ground up [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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