Please Graduate 7074

[Gumball]

Well, it’s time to graduate 7074… finally. Although it was inspected and licensed for the street on 10/31/14, I actually did the last real work exactly five years to the day from when I picked it up at Factory Five. It seems like just yesterday I was making the long trek home with it in tow – I actually picked it up the morning that Two Guys Garage was filming at FFR, so watching that episode over and over again never gets old. While I could have probably finished and been driving sooner, I took the long way on the build, enjoying all the little projects along the way, learning new skills and making new friends. Plus, my original idea of a fairly straightforward donor build quickly morphed into a plan for something a bit more period correct, with mostly new parts or refurbished bits from ‘60s Fords and British cars.

My wife, who is a self-proclaimed car-chick (with a big block, four speed ’67 Camaro to back up the claim), was very supportive and patient throughout the build – I couldn’t have done it without her. Also, friends – local, long-distance, and here at the forum – played such a big part in the success of this project. Finally, I have to again thank Dave Smith and the crew at FFR for bringing such a great product to market – one that helps us all achieve our dreams of supercar ownership.

After two brief drives before winter, I was able to get the car out six weeks or so ago and really start driving. As of yesterday, it has just over 600 miles on the odometer and my goal is to put many more thousand on it this summer. With each drive, the car becomes more familiar, comfortable, and enjoyable. Although I spent quite a few years saying that building is probably better than driving, I can now say that neither is better – they are both great in their own ways.

See you on the road!

Here are the details and some pictures.

Engine: Internally balanced 347 with forged internals, 10.5:1, Holley 650 dp (’94 SVT block, heads, and roller-tip rockers)
Transmission: Tremec T5Z
Rear: 3-link 8.8 with 3.27, Fox length axles, and caliper relocation
Brakes: Later GT front (FFR complete kit) and SVT rear
Wheels: FFR 15” Halibrand replicas with Avon CR6ZZ tires (225 front / 245 rear)
Paint: PPG Envirobase (water-borne) ’65-’66 Ford Mustang Ivy Green (PPG #43408)

Part of the reason for the long build time was that I really enjoyed researching details on the original cars and then trying to figure out how to incorporate something similar into my car. So, here’s the not-so-short list of custom touches I added to my car.

• Riveted hood scoop modified to follow the hood contour
• Rivets on the leading edge of the hood as on the original comp and S/C cars
• Rolled wheel lips
• Smoothed and painted body inside (Eastwood Alumi-Blast replicates bare aluminum)
• Hidden body side mounts
• Revised front body mounts to look like the original riveted mounts
• Original style hood prop and clip
• 1 ½” Mk4 version chrome roll hoop
• Four-into-four headers - semi-gloss black ceramic with heat shields fab’d by me
• Smiths mechanical gauges in S/C layout
• Period correct switches, knobs, and indicator lights on dash – using Ford and Lucas parts, with a couple of farm tractor buttons thrown in for good measure
• Lock-out style shift lever with flat-top black knob with 4-speed markings
• Pull straps on doors (hooked to door latches to act as a release pull)
• Locking glove box
• Ashtray - OEM-style AC part
• Waxed cord on steering wheel at spokes
• Dash tubes – containing wiring and speedo cable
• Kirkey low-back vintage race seats - modified contour, leather covered, inflatable lumbar and seat heaters
• Vinyl bound carpet
• Black leather on visible chassis tubes in cockpit
• Rubber heel and side pads on carpet by pedals – same on floor mats fab’d by me and held in place using lift-the-dot fasteners
• Degas tank – modified OEM Ford big block tank, aluminum tubing, Breeze lower radiator hose kit and bracket, and various OEM hoses
• Coolant catch tank connected to degas tank - mounted to Breeze radiator shroud - stainless steel, media blasted to match raw aluminum
• Old-style engine front cover w/V-belt pulleys
• Ford dual-point distributor with Pertronix
• Pertronix coil yellow top and reproduction Ford decal
• OEM Ford style spark plug wires and boots
• Turkey pan
• OEM-style mechanical fuel pump
• Ford big block valve covers on adapter plates
• Canton seven quart road race oil pan with original "Cobra - American Shelby" decals
• Stellings and Hellings air cleaner w/K&N filter
• Hood opening under scoop modified to fit turkey pan – front eight inches fiberglassed over
• Oil catch can on firewall – original S/C design – basically a replica of a ‘50s brass Kohler lawnmower gas tank
• Catch can – ‘60s Schlitz beer can – mounted on front of passenger footbox
• Girling remote brake reservoir cans with braided lines
• Original style hood hinges
• Hood hinge filler panel modified to look like original radiator bracket with extra tab, post, and pin
• Hidden trunk hinges
• Turn signal – Russ Thompson with small tip - no switch - right hand style
• Trunk lid support rod – original style
• Trunk lid without peak (made by Gess Motorsports – similar to current Mk4)
• Grommets, front bumper brackets
• Grommets, roll hoop
• Rectangular Lucas taillamps – modified to allow two bulbs per side
• Recontoured body at taillamp mounting pads to match rectangular lamps and to add more "roundness" to the tail
• Lucas tail lamp and front marker lamp lenses with “Made in England” markings
• Windscreen support rod and bracket
• "Beclawat" windscreen tag
• Lower windscreen support bracket - attaches to bottom of frame and to top of cowl
• Windscreen washer using original British parts
• Heater w/original style body-color defroster vents on top of front cowl and "Smiths" decals on blower motor in engine compartment
• Lucas tri-bar PL headlamps
• Rockguards on the headlamps with original style two-post mounts
• Soft top and side curtains (FFR old-style)
• Soft top bow support brackets under body to chassis (fab’d by me)
• Tonneau cover – black vinyl
• Lift-the-dot posts and side curtain ferrules with drain tubes showing on door interior
• Rolled cowl front and rear with exposed rivet heads on lower edge
• AC pedal covers with spring-loaded pivots
• Original-style throttle pedal on Russ Thompson lever (fab’d by me)
• Mechanical throttle linkage (fab’d by me)
• Side louvers - body color
• Self-contained dual tone airhorn
• “Powered by Ford” badges – 289 style without engine size
• AC logo for knock-off hub centers and steering wheel
• Wind wings with original style mounting blocks for use with the original style side curtains
• 1965 Road America tech sticker on roll hoop
• Grab handle – original style from 289 cars – on passenger side cowl
• Safety wired knock-offs
• 1965 license plate – CA Shelby manufacturer plate
• Foot ducts with period-correct pull knobs on far outside edges of dash
• Map reading light on dash (MGA parts – Lucas)
• Engine bay battery box with Lucas decals and fake filler caps on battery
• Rolled door openings with exposed rivet heads on underside of roll
• Ford Foot dimmer switch for headlamps with rubber pad
• Vintage Ford engine bay wiring harnesses (’65 Mustang reproduction parts)
• Ford solenoid and voltage regulator
• Ford 1G alternator with “Autolite” production ink stamp and OEM appearing brackets (fab’d by me)
• Oil cooler
• Factory-appearing placards/decals/labels
• "FoMoCo" stamps on hoses and other parts
• Trunk floor storage bin with lid
• Tecelamite grease gun
• Tool roll - period correct appearance
• Rear fender spats
• Vents in front splashguards (fab’d by me)
• Splashguards, front body/bumper support structure - aluminum panels to close the area to the sides of radiator (fab’d by me)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172533723_zpsrsltwkbs.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172533723_zpsrsltwkbs.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172631458_zpsiuqfdncy.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172631458_zpsiuqfdncy.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173007998_zpskibeunpl.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173007998_zpskibeunpl.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173033765_zpshht1yaoq.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173033765_zpshht1yaoq.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173354975_zpsbaltuvsy.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173354975_zpsbaltuvsy.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173638612_HDR_zps3ybdos09.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173638612_HDR_zps3ybdos09.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173551157_zpsiquym4tp.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173551157_zpsiquym4tp.jpg.html)

[Gumball]

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172836096_zpsugypilez.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172836096_zpsugypilez.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172908828_zpsqokbwxft.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172908828_zpsqokbwxft.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172937464_zpsspanwjzx.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172937464_zpsspanwjzx.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173259405_HDR_zpsgrch8s8p.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173259405_HDR_zpsgrch8s8p.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173123015_zpsfcp6lvax.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173123015_zpsfcp6lvax.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173333533_zpsn8blybbf.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173333533_zpsn8blybbf.jpg.html)

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg.html)

[Gumball]

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173621460_HDR_zpsz7wi2g2u.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173621460_HDR_zpsz7wi2g2u.jpg.html)

[stevo7896]

Beautiful ,just love the period look . The perfect balance of dark with some shine to stand out.

[chrisarella]

Nice attention to detail!

[bwwooster]

Wow-- I really like it!
One of the things which got me going on mine in the first place was a RHD 289 featured in the Brian Laban's book on the Cobra, BRG with the polished rear arch guards and your car is as close to that as any FFR ever-- I might need to repaint my car!

I also love all the period details like switches and lamps. I used the same headlamp switch, but found a black plastic knob for it at Mac's Antique Auto parts (I remember my first car, a '65 Fairlane, didn't have a chrome knob)

Where'd you get the three switches (the non-toggles) at the bottom of the dash and which latch are you using on the glove box?

Did I mention it looks GREAT? It looks GREAT!

[RogerB]

Nice Job!! Love the attention to detail...

[CraigS]

Very nicely done all around.

[Dragonfire]

Beautiful!

[pcww]

Chris,
Can you give details on your glove box. I like the outline which shows an insert or bead in the opening. Also what are the details on the safety wire for the knockoffs. Is that rubber hose original? Thanks. Henry.

[Gumball]

Hey guys, thanks for the compliments! I've seen some pretty awesome builds here and just tried to come up with something that would do FFR proud.

Here are some extra photos and details in response to questions I've received:

bwwooster - The three switches at the bottom (I'm guessing you mean the black knobs) are the wipers, heater, and panel dim (actually the manual choke). They're all original-style replacement knobs meant for the original Lucas switches that AC cars used (as well as lots of other British manufacturers back in the '60s). I sourced them from various places on the internet, including Cobra Restorers and a place in Belgium called Anglo Parts. I'm using an original Lucas wiper switch, so I wanted the right knob for it - that was the easy one. The heater is actually the correct knob, just adapted to work with the Vintage Air heater switch that FFR supplies - surprisingly, the markings match the operation of the fan speed and then it works fine as a pull knob to adjust temperature. The last one is the correct panel dim knob, but instead of working the lights, I adapted it to fit onto the cable end for the manual choke for my carb - looks great and is something that is never really used as I won't drive the car in weather that's so cold I need a choke to start.

As for the glove box latch, it's just a cabinet "finger-pull" with a keyed lock from a local RV store - all of about five bucks. I made a catch out of some scrap aluminum angle and then bolted that to the underside of the 3/4" dash tube. the catch is slotted, though, so I could get some adjustment for a secure closure.

Detail pic of the switches:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/OhWow_zps3fe167dd.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/OhWow_zps3fe167dd.jpg.html)

Detail of the glove box latch:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Gloveboxdoorandhingebracket.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Gloveboxdoorandhingebracket.jpg.html)

Henry (pcww) - I made the glove box myself. The door is just the scrap from when the hole was cut in the dash (which acts as the outer) and a piece of MDF - both were covered in leather separately, then a piece of leather piping was glued between them when they were put together. They are held together by glue, the latch, and the hinge mounts. See the pic above for more details of the uncovered door. The back of the glove box is just a piece of leather covered .030 aluminum that has some pinch-seal on the edges to make it tight to the back of the dash and is held in place by a couple of short screws that go into the plastic heater core housing. It's not very deep, but works as a secure place to keep things like a garage door opener, insurance card, registration, etc...

Pic of the glove box door details:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140725_152554583_zps79add64a.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140725_152554583_zps79add64a.jpg.html)

Tread pattern of CR6ZZ tires:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172732177_zpsydikizfi.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172732177_zpsydikizfi.jpg.html)

Color flop in direct sunlight:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20140906_103351427_zpsge20hm5y.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20140906_103351427_zpsge20hm5y.jpg.html)

More detail of the finished dash:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172901556_zpsnra2bzq3.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172901556_zpsnra2bzq3.jpg.html)

Vented front splash guards:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140925_200335099_HDR_zps78f16ef9.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140925_200335099_HDR_zps78f16ef9.jpg.html)

[Gumball]

And a couple more pics...

Rubber grommets for roll hoop (from McMaster-Carr):

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140925_135042233_zps707be80b.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140925_135042233_zps707be80b.jpg.html)

Windshield rod, bracket, and cowl brace:

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140914_134903932_zps2c4798a4.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140914_134903932_zps2c4798a4.jpg.html)

[beetlespin]

This is a really, really, really nice build. Did I say it was REALLY nice ?

[chrisarella]

Love it (and the "OH WOW" label :p

Questions:
Is that a mini map light above the glove box (and if so, where did you get it)?
What is the purpose of the vented front splash guards?
What is the button to the right of the glovebox (above the larger map light)?
Where did you get the larger map light too?
And did you have to do any extra reforming of the body for the square 1pc tail lights?

[Gumball]

Love it (and the "OH WOW" label :p

Questions:
Is that a mini map light above the glove box (and if so, where did you get it)?
What is the purpose of the vented front splash guards?
What is the button to the right of the glovebox (above the larger map light)?
Where did you get the larger map light too?
And did you have to do any extra reforming of the body for the square 1pc tail lights?

Chris -

There is a map light, but not above the glove box... it's to the right of it. The black knob above it is the pull switch to activate the light, which will only turn on when the headlights are in the on position (or the park position). Both the light and switch are from Moss Motors - standard parts from the MGA.

The vented splash guard allows the pressure from inside the wheel well somewhere to go - most importantly, right over the 4-into-4 headers and out the side vents. Just intended to help manage underhood heat.

The tail light pads got quite a bit of attention from me when I was doing bodywork - you can check what I did here... http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?7645-Chris-Bodywork-Thread-Mk3-1&highlight=chris+bodywork+thread

[68GT500MAN]

Great looking build!

[MeanCobra]

Looks great!

[chrisarella]

The minute I clicked on that link I realized I read that thread in its entirety not long ago... which lead me to believe those tail lights were going to be a real PITA to get right. Glad to know THIS was the car that spawned my fear of getting them, but inspired me to do it anyway. Great work!

[carlewms]

Chris,

Congratulations on graduating that wonderfully built beauty!

Thanks for sharing the journey and lessons learned from your works the rest of us still building away.

Carl

[Takis31gk]

Such a beautiful car, congratulations!!! When envisioning what I hope to build in the future, I see this car. its's stunning and will be used as a basis for what I hope to one day create. Enjoy every second with it. (BTW what would you say it approx. cost to build it? The time and effort alone put into it seems top notch.)

[Gumball]

Such a beautiful car, congratulations!!! When envisioning what I hope to build in the future, I see this car. its's stunning and will be used as a basis for what I hope to one day create. Enjoy every second with it. (BTW what would you say it approx. cost to build it? The time and effort alone put into it seems top notch.)

Thanks - best of luck on your build, too! As for cost - I have no idea... and probably don't want to know.

[Johnnymike]

Chris

Really a beautiful job on everything but the fit and finish stand out. I thought mine was good but it looks somewhat crude compared to you work.
I hope to see you driving around the St. Charles/Wheaton area some time.

JMS