Countdown to SEMA: T-Minus 8 Days!

[Dave Smith]

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The 2015 SEMA Show is almost here, so as a build up to the show, we will be releasing a news item or surprise every day until the show starts.

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T-Minus 8 Days: Production 818C!

Today, it is only eight days before SEMA, and one of the things we will be showing off is our production version of our new 818C Sports Car. The 818C that we are taking to SEMA was painted Factory Five-Sherwin Williams official color “Sinister Black” (Sherwin Williams paint code FACFIVE1) by Carl’s Collision Center. The car features all current in-production parts. The new nose insert has been released and is in production. The car features a 265 hp WRX turbo engine with a 6-speed STi transmission with optional Factory Five aluminum shifter. It has Factory Five’s optional Wilwood brakes and Factory Five wheels with Toyo R888 tires. The car is en route to SEMA, and will also be shown at the Florida Emerald Coast Cruizin (http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/were-heading-to-florida/) the week after SEMA.

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Tooling is complete, and production has begun on the 818C. We are waiting for production glass, but it has been released and we are simply waiting for the inventory to arrive. 818C kits are shipping, and the production schedule is mostly filled through the end of the year. The production headlight buckets and acrylic lenses were approved based on final fitment in this production car, and lead times are estimated to be between 3-5 weeks. We are happy with the bulk head seal and all glass pieces. The inner roof liner is functional and easy to plumb. Kits are currently shipping with head lamp buckets and glass on order, but all inventory should be in stock for sure by year end.

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Click here if you’d like to place an order for an 818C. (http://www.factoryfive.com/order-a-kit/818c-order-form/)

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[Mechie3]

Wave if you pass near Indianapolis! Any straight on shots of the grill all cut out? Are the upgrade kits available for the 818S yet?

[Hindsight]

Ooooh, ahhhh! Nice looking C.

[David Hodgkins]

Beautiful!

:)

[Canadian818]

Looks sweet, can't wait to hear about new parts

[Dave Smith]

I'm working on the 818S upgrade parts post and prices. The reason it has been delayed is different for the hardtop upgrades and the front end upgrades:

Hardtop Upgrades:
We've got a ton of orders for the new hard-top upgrade (from 818S customers). The glass was not released until a few weeks ago. Once I KNEW the first article glass was a perfect fit, we ordered 300 production sets (!) and proceeded to release the 818C kits. I was OK releasing the 818C kits (I personally made that decision based on our confidence and reliability with our glass supplier, but certainly not interested in a wheel repeat!) with the glass backordered, so that guys could get started building their 818 Coupes, BUT I didn't want to ship the 818C Hardtop upgrades until I had the glass IN Stock. We've got stock of the hardtops for sure and are building more every day but the logic behind not shipping them without the glass is simply that while the car build takes a good period of time, an upgraded top is a weekend job. If a guy takes apart his 818S and then finds he has no glass, he'll want to kill me. So The hardtop upgrades will begin shipping as soon as the glass arrives. The estimates for the glass are as far out as the end of the year, but likely sooner.

Front end/headlamp/insert upgrades:
We are making front fenders and nose inserts right now. The production headlamp bucket and lenses were released but when we put them on the production 818 Coupe, we didnt like the fit. A small change was ordered and that will set the delivery of parts back between 3 and 5 weeks. Soooo, I'll have the post on the front end upgrades up shortly so that people can order them. I think we'll do an introductory part price to existing customers that is a good price and then at the beginning of the year, increase the price to where we make a small profit for replacement parts or upgrades years down the road. I should have the final pricing shortly (I think I said the same thing in August!) and full web catalog pages.

I should say that the decisions that have delayed the 818C production are in line with and justified by the quality of the car/platform and our company commitment to doing what we say and supporting the people who have supported us. The 818C joins the S and R designs and we are at the headwaters of this great cars lifecycle.

[C.Plavan]

See you guys there. I can't wait to chat about new motors and see the C in person.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I liked it in gray but even better in black! No doubt it will be a big hit at the show :)

Jeff

[metalmaker12]

Nice very nice!!!

[Flamshackle]

Wow! It looks absolutely amazing. I can't wait for mine to arrive :-)

[shinn497]

loving it so much

[Dave Smith]

Kia Ora! Flamshackle. I remember your visit well and showing you the initial shape of the coupe design. I made a promise to myself that before I was done with this car, it would set peoples hair on fire. In real life this car is so much better than pictures and Jim and the boys did all of us proud. The ecoboost ford engine will give more dimension and options to the car and build on the Subaru base. I am very excited about it going forward. I will also keep our promises to the customer base to maintain upgrades at reasonable prices as we pay down tooling. I look forward to SEMA with great excitement, and this is only one of the cars we are bringing!

[AZPete]

It all looks beautiful and I wish I could get to Vegas to see the FRR booth live, but I look forward to upgrading my 818S to the 818C early next year. Have a great show and congrats to all at FFR!

[bbjones121]

Looks amazing Dave! I think I am changing my mind to black paint.

[mikeb75]

I'm working on the 818S upgrade parts post and prices. The reason it has been delayed is different for the hardtop upgrades and the front end upgrades:

Hardtop Upgrades:
We've got a ton of orders for the new hard-top upgrade (from 818S customers). The glass was not released until a few weeks ago. Once I KNEW the first article glass was a perfect fit, we ordered 300 production sets (!) and proceeded to release the 818C kits. I was OK releasing the 818C kits (I personally made that decision based on our confidence and reliability with our glass supplier, but certainly not interested in a wheel repeat!) with the glass backordered, so that guys could get started building their 818 Coupes, BUT I didn't want to ship the 818C Hardtop upgrades until I had the glass IN Stock...

Dave, I can not fault your logic for builders who have completed their 818S and are planning on adding the hard-top to already complete cars; however, personally, I am stalled in my build since I am on the pre-order list, and don't plan to install the S windshield or rear engine cover at this time. I'm waiting on the HT kit to complete the windshield, wiper, and hood as well as working on air system plumbing in the rear & some other projects I am planning.

I know it's a bigger head-ache for you, especially with SEMA coming up - but could you re-visit this issue later and perhaps make the hard-top upgrade kits available before the glass is in stock for builders who opt for that? It would help me out (and others, I'm sure) tremendously. Thanks!

BTW, the C looks AMAZING, especially in black.

[bbjones121]

Dave, I can not fault your logic for builders who have completed their 818S and are planning on adding the hard-top to already complete cars; however, personally, I am stalled in my build since I am on the pre-order list, and don't plan to install the S windshield or rear engine cover at this time. I'm waiting on the HT kit to complete the windshield, wiper, and hood as well as working on air system plumbing in the rear & some other projects I am planning.

I know it's a bigger head-ache for you, especially with SEMA coming up - but could you re-visit this issue later and perhaps make the hard-top upgrade kits available before the glass is in stock for builders who opt for that? It would help me out (and others, I'm sure) tremendously. Thanks!

BTW, the C looks AMAZING, especially in black.

+1 I am also in this holding pattern on my 818s as well. I need the hardtop panels to finish my body alignments. I am also holding on the doors waiting for the new ones.

[Flamshackle]

Kia Ora! Flamshackle. I remember your visit well and showing you the initial shape of the coupe design. I made a promise to myself that before I was done with this car, it would set peoples hair on fire. In real life this car is so much better than pictures and Jim and the boys did all of us proud. The ecoboost ford engine will give more dimension and options to the car and build on the Subaru base. I am very excited about it going forward. I will also keep our promises to the customer base to maintain upgrades at reasonable prices as we pay down tooling. I look forward to SEMA with great excitement, and this is only one of the cars we are bringing!

Kia Ora!

Me and the kids are literally watching every update here and busy preparing our parts from the donor.
The visit to FFR was amazing, Leanne and really loved it and cant wait to go back to the states some day as a family.

Thanks for being so hospitable and generous while we were with you and I also am very excited about the future of the 818!

[Dave Smith]

I can DEFINITELY ship the hard tops with windshield glass IF you don't mind working without the side windows, rear qtrs and hatch as that glass all comes in a set and thats what we're waiting for. No problem. I'll hit this in the morning and have the guys get back to you with shipping Dave

[bbjones121]

Awesome, thanks Dave

[mikeb75]

Sweet, thanks Dave. Would be a huge help to me :)

[TX-Lou]

Wow! It looks absolutely amazing. I can't wait for mine to arrive :-)

I agree!

[bbjones121]

So are the carbon fiber hydrotransfer wheels going to be available?

[Oppenheimer]

Now THAT does not look like a kit. Drive that around, and no one is gonna believe its a kit or that you built it yourself. Simply...Amazing. Especially since we know it looks way better in person (all those that have seen it live have said so).

[mindinclouds]

Sorry for the thread drift.... Is SEMA open to the general public (I am interested in the 818C, and might consider attending if it is)?
When I have gone to the web site in the past, it looked like it was a trade show for those working within the automotive/performance car industry

[David Hodgkins]

mindinclouds,

SEMA is an industry event and not "open to the public"...

:)

[ehansen007]

Car looks amazing brother. I understand there are now multiple 818 electrics being built as a result of the Hardtop option due to aero. While this may seem insignificant, as more fuel cheater kits hit the market like electric, clean diesel, and even hydrogen, this will be the car of choice.

[07FIREBLADE]

Man I would love to get the hardtop too like Mikeb75, I am also in a holding pattern and dont mind waiting on the remainder of the glass. If possible I would love to get the front end to so I can just start over. I've been reluctant to make any real progress. Just to have to come back and start it all over again. I could go for my final tune if I had the hardtop.

[07FIREBLADE]

This latest iteration of the 818 is just simply amazing. I cant wait to get my hands on the hardtop and new front so I can really start chugging along with this car. I might need to reconsider my color options once I get to that stage of the build.

[AgentH]

Man, that's dope looking! I didn't know FFR made a hardtop for the 818.

[insurance guy]

I would not mind getting top and waiting on glass.

[Dave Smith]

ok guys, I'll have this in process tomorrow for sure. Got waylaid with SEMA details today and some other things. Bottom line, IF you want the hardtop without glass we'll ship for sure. Nate in Ops will get with the boys in the office and figure out schedules and shipping. Should've been done today, but the company seems to always have other ideas for my day! Dave

[Flamshackle]

This latest iteration of the 818 is just simply amazing. I cant wait to get my hands on the hardtop and new front so I can really start chugging along with this car. I might need to reconsider my color options once I get to that stage of the build.


Cant... Stop...
47006


Staring...
47007

It just looks soooo ace!

My three sons and I are itching to get our coupe!

[FFR-ADV]

I really like the new front end center section!

Are those Aerocatch Latches and if so what ones did you use? They look great on the 818C!

[Mad Dog]

The latches on the car ship as hood pins. Since this car was going to SEMA, we added quick-latch fasteners. I think they cost about $36 for the pair.

Dave asked me to post also that we will be able to ship hard tops beginning next week to any of you guys who are ok with receiving the top without the glass. Courtnie here in Tech has a list of all of the hard top orders, and if you want to simply give her a call that you'd like to be moved up, she will accommodate you. Pick-ups are absolutely no problem, however, Nate in Operations is working on the crate design which will be very similar to the Hot Rod hard top crate design, but it is not finalized yet and will be soon.

[07FIREBLADE]

Could we get the front possibly and wait for buckets and lense too. So everything could go in one crate? Paying for shipping on one crate vs 2 would be nice. That way people who want both and don't want to wait can continue making progress.

[FFR-ADV]

Thanks for the quick reply Dave.

The 818C is a stunner!