What are average ages

[Diggem]

I read another post where the member said he would likely buy instead of build. I must admit I might agree, but I have my opinion because of age, being too close to 67. What are the average ages??

[CraigS]

I am 65

[jackboeker83]

I am 29 and just started my build this weekend.

[68GT500MAN]

61 here.

[CapeCoralCobra]

Was 52 when I started my build. 56 now and planning on another before 60.

[David Hodgkins]

I'm 49 and kinda-sorta-maybe thinking of selling my MKIII to do my 818.

:)

[Kalstar]

40 years old.

Finished GTM

818 on order.

The older you get the more free time you have. I am doing it with 2 kids in grammer school. Certianly someone retired could undertake the challenge.

[fubar94]

49 here, got my kit for my 49th birthday

[Made_In_America]

30 but will be 31 when I actually have my kit. I'm in the process of buying a house first so I have the room to build.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

18516Bob and Mike, Father/son project 54 & 15 1/2.

[timmy318]

Too young!

[DaleG]

I am 65

My average age is 32-1/2, but like Craig, I'm also 65.

Built a MK II in 2004; MK IV kit arrives this week!

[Bradyman]

59 but still think I have the reflexes and stamina of a 20 something.
Had an 818 on order but switched to a coupe when I visited the showroom last month.
Complete kit arrives in July!

[H R Lucky]

My average age is 34, current age = 68, just started my build on a 33 HR in March 2013, I plan on living to be 100 and die by gunshot from a jealous husband!

[Joey.S]

43 :cool:

[DANW]

51 years young!!!

[Buzz Skyline]

48, but my 22 year old son and I will be building an 818 together. We'll be using his 2002 WRX as the donor.

[skullandbones]

I don't think you will get an average age without all the numbers. Only FFR has those. They could probably publish those without breaking any privacy laws. But if I had to guess it's between 50 and 55. That's probably closer to 55 even with all the younger people. I'm 64. Can't believe it but it's true. Wonder who the oldest Cobra driver is? One day it will be me! WEK.

[2FAST4U]

I was 51 when I completed my first Roadster. Then 57 when I completed my GT40. I will be 62 when I finish this Roadster.

[Made_In_America]

^I hope thats me in 32 years, Awesome!

[Gumball]

44 when I got it... 47 now. But, my wife swears I'm stuck on 16 forever.

[Silvertop]

I'm 64. I start building my first kit car this fall when my 818 gets delivered.............. You are NOT too old!

[Mustang Man]

37 when I got our Mk 3 Roadster to build, which took two years. Put it on the road at 39 and now 44. Got one wrapping up college and my second/final one starting college this fall. I hope to build a '33 hotrod before I turn 50...

Mark

[bill3422]

54 when I started the build on my birthday this year

[wallace18]

55 and finishing my 33 and going to do a 818 in August. Go for it. You only live once.

[RM1SepEx]

54, you just have to do what you enjoy. I'm total gearhead engineer so I need mechanical projects. I have too many but it keeps me alive.

[metalmaker12]

31 years old

[Mike N]

I picked up my MkI kit when I was 41, got it on the road when I was 43 and have been having a blast for the past 11+ years, I'm now 54. I keep wanting to build something else but truthfully there's not anything I've found so far that makes me feel the way the Roadster does. Perhaps the 818.......

[riptide motorsport]

51 here

[Indy14]

I'm 69. Sure hope I haven't posted that before. If you know what I mean.:rolleyes:

[CHOTIS BILL]

69 and yes I know what you mean. :confused:

Bill Lomenick

[Bald Eagle]

Hey skullandbones, I may not be the oldest driver, but this weekend my bride and I drove up to the open house in our MK 1, and I turned 71 on Sun. You are just a baby. If it weren't for my brides claustrophobia, I might be building a GTM right now.She wants me to build a 33. Go figure.

Jim

[IICEmanR6]

Thirty-one

[duzie]

Build year three and I am 72.

[jpl]

Try 73 and am finishing up a daytona coupe.

[skullandbones]

Used to do statistics. I made the fundamental mistake of coming to a conclusion without all the data!!! Sorry for "dising" the left side of the bell shaped curve. I would love to see the real break down by age, location, etc and their types of builds. Great thread, Diggem.

Wow. It's been a long time since I was called a baby! BTW, my bride started talking about an 818 and said where would we keep another car if I built it. OMG! Another go figure. Thanks, WEK.

[RMB]

My wife bought me the MKII for my 30th birthday...had it street legal at 31...I'm 40 now.

[Diggem]

Wow That covers a wide range. I have the desire but short on funds. Visited Chris and saw his build, a lot of out of the box ideas, beautiful Cobra. Thanks to all for the answers Wayne

[SStrong]

I am 60, started my build 1 1/2 years ago. You shouldn't have any problems as long as you are in good health and plan your build. You will need a floor jack (I have 3), jackstands, engine lift, and engine stand (with a crate motor you may get by without it). Some people are happy with someone else's work and that's not a bad thing as many don't have the time or can't physically do it. But building this car is 3/4 of the fun. It is scary fast unless you're a die hard racer. And my neighbors have all had to come by to see and offer to help now that I'm go-carting around our "neighborhood" (nearest neighbor is out of shouting distance). People are amazed that you are able to do this by yourself. Don't feel bad if you have to buy one already built tho.

[Dave Disque]

I read another post where the member said he would likely buy instead of build. I must admit I might agree, but I have my opinion because of age, being too close to 67. What are the average ages??

I am 66 and finished an 12 month build of a Mk IV 7 months ago. I also work full time and had shoulder surgery during the build. Building is the only way to "claim" you car.

[patpur]

61 when I purchased a complted car. I wanted to enjoy the ride which I have for the past two summers etc. for me it was the right way to go. I can make the changes I want to the car and still enjoy driving it.

[Bill Waters]

60 and am about 2/3 through my Mk. 3.1 and have an 818R on order

[howff]

I am 43

[Shawn]

45 now, purchased kit at 42

[jetheft]

I'm 48 hoping to be complete before my 49th birthday.

[MRSQSL]

Mike and I are both 37. If at all possible, build it yourself. The car will mean so much more to you and be extra special because you built it the way you wanted with your own two hands. There is nothing wrong with buying an already built one, but don't let age be the factor that stops you. The guys on this site are exceptionally helpful so don't be afraid. Also, if you have a wife, get her building too. That way she will love it for what it is rather than hate it for being "the mistress" that's stealing all your spare time and attention.

[ram_g]

I'm 48 hoping to be complete before my 49th birthday.

That's me too. Bought the kit at 43, been working on it nearly 5 years (getting close though!). Full time+ job and 2 active teens (unfortunately with only passing interest in the FFR) make it tough to spend more time in the garage...

[hrosenthal]

Just turned 50. Started build in October. Very green. Hope to be done in time to drive it to my 70th birthday party. It doesn't seem likely.

[Mike6568]

37 here...

[FFR3296]

Ordered my Roadster at 49 and finished building at 51. Now 60 and just ordered my Coupe. They say it's better the second time around! The fun really is in the build and all the thought that goes into it. Want to build with my son an 818, but really just want to watch him do it. Bill Beardslee

[LDave]

I ordered mine when I was 28, and finished it while I was still 28. ;-) I'm currently 30 years old.

[Jester]

Turned 50 a few months back (35 metric)

Took 18 months to build my Mk4, licensed in May- still need paint

Luv it - the build is now part of my DNA !!

[GJerry]

64 now but 54 when I started my Mkll and 57 when I finished.

[efnfast]

30 ....... order it when I was 25, finished when I was 27. Started my SL-C when I was 27, finished when I was 30. Ordered my 917 when I was 30, finished when I'll be ???? (hoping for 31, lol, gotta get better at the building process the more I do it I hope :D )

[Ringo]

I am 55, got my kit the day after Thanksgiving in 2012 and going next week for the Ohio state inspection. My first car and its been a blast.

[THE ITALIAN]

53 , but my wife who is 35 thinks I'm an A$$ when it comes to cars, "parts, tools & magazines", so that alone makes me 24

[Killermustng]

33 currently saving to buy the 33 hotrod kit

[lese36]

I'm 77

[Captlard]

Started my build at 76

[Avalanche325]

49. Building should be finished this year.

Just the other day my wife said "I can see you building a coupe when you are done with this." I hope that was permission.

[haroldd1963]

We are working on a family project...I am 50, my father is 79, and my two nephews that are involoved are 28 & 20....our project's average age is 44.25.

[RSxx]

I am 42, but feel like a kid waiting for my Kit.

[Tyler Wayne]

I am 26..... Got kit when I was 25 and took 7 months to completion.

Photo with dad after Texas cobra club meet. We built together, he is 80

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g172/twyluh/IMG_0136_zps8c56559e.jpg (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/twyluh/media/IMG_0136_zps8c56559e.jpg.html)

[tirod]

For the retro models, you are going to see a bias. If you tried to center the peak of the Shelby years -and exposure in the media to the mass market, it would be maybe 1968. Still in business and the reputation strong, plus the GT40's winning. Taking the youngest typical age a male would be interested at twelve, add the time, we're looking at 12 + 45 years = 57. That's probably the low end of who would have been alive and cognizant of the cars in the flesh (not dissing the younger guys.)

Add another 20 years for an age bracket, that's what we see, 57 to 77 year old guys building kits.

Wait for it -

Hence the 818. Dave is a great guy, I'm saving up, too, but bluntly, a bunch of old boys aren't going to keep him in business and still going strong in another 20 years. Not Happening. Today's 57 year old will be 77 (and I hope mine's finished, I just turned 60.) The 77 year olds will be 97. Not to belabor the point, but their kids will be driving the car, or a new owner. Just saying.

Like it or not, the torch will be passed to another generation. What that means in terms of actual sales and enthusiasm is something else. The AR15 is now over 45 years old+ in service and is a huge growing market in the firearms industry.

In 1999 nobody was predicting that, who knows what is around the corner?

[rpc47]

59 at the start, now 62 and retired

[NHolds]

Built mine when I was 26

[Blate]

33..I'm finishing a roadster, I 've had 39 cars (I have 6 now including a '33 ford, and a '51 Chevy truck). Oh yeah, and a Harley. I built and sold the '40 in my avatar pic as well.

[azbruin]

62 and 99% finished

[Johnc1]

I am 62

[Johnc1]

I am with you Patpur.

[GJerry]

64 now but 54 when I started and 57 when I finished.

[John Tongish]

I am a young 72, actively retired, and prepping my six-year-old MKIII for another trip in its trailer this August to attack some more tracks in eastern Canada (Mosport and Calabogie), the northeast (Lime Rock, Watkins Glen), and southeast (Road Atlanta, and Atlanta Motorsports), and others before heading back to So.Cal. thru Colorado (Pikes Peak), Utah (Miller Motorsports), and maybe Sonoma if I have time. God, I love retirement!

The attached is a pic of our trailer with its distinctive rear-end. Honk when I pass you on the highway.19010

[racecartom]

I got mine 3 days after I retired at age 62, finished it in 7 months and have been showing it, auto crossing it, drag racing it, track day time trialing it, and driving it to the beach for the last 1 1/2 years. Keep at it and next thing you know your at the the end of the book. Good luck......................RCT

[type 65 coupe]

From What I read of your question I might be second oldest. Got my coupe at are 73 and building it myself ( pen Name " old crows gather here". With some luck I will be driving at age 75 (4/19/1939).

Vinnie

[flynntuna]

Tirod I totally agree, I'm 57 and I love the roadster and would love to own one. I've been following FFR for a long time,(when there was only two models avail.) and wanted to build a roadster but for a lot of reasons it wasn't the right car for my needs. When the 33 hot rod came out I was very excited about it , not so much the boss and my son. Still want one though and was saving for one. Then the 818 project was announced and the family got on board. The 33 is great but the 818 solves the negatives that was keeping me from pulling the trigger. The 818 is the future and captures the spirit that the roadster instilled in our hearts

[Matt Ries]

I have a MKIII bought in early '05 I'm 50 now and still building (body work and paint) but every time I get around the car I'm 20 again!

Matt

[ClemsonS197]

32. Bought kit when I was 30.

[Slider]

I'm 42 and my Dad is 71. We did the project together in almost exactly 12 months of linear time, probably more like 6 months of actual work. It was great as he was able to share his vast knowledge and experience of cars and hotrodding with me, and we built this together. Something that we will have as memories beyond just driving and riding in the car.

19119

[Steven K]

I got mine at 44, 10 years ago.

[Rworthy]

61. Hope to get coupe started if Stewart can get their poop in a group and pick up kit that was complete on June 15. Current delivery schedule is mid July.

[LuckyWinner]

47 years young

[EricatHeritage]

48 years old going on 18...again

[Blue MK3]

70 when I bought a completed MK 3 last fall. I wanted to drive one immediately, not 2-3 years later. No regrets for skipping the build experience.

[FX2]

Just for the record.......64 here....ordered the 33 a week ago