Larry Johnson
04-13-2016, 05:20 PM
As reported previously, my Mark IV Complete kit arrived here in DFW Texas area on March 3. It was a very exciting day tempered only by the fact that I had to go out of town on business the following day.
Upon my return, I relocated my 67 Jaguar E-type Roadster to a local storage facility to create garage room. Within a few days, I had the body buck made and the parts inventoried. I was a bit taken aback by the quantity of backorders outstanding but there was still lots to do.
I am semi-retired so I have the luxury of working on the build during the week.
The following week, I began the process trying to end each day with more parts put on than I started the day with. Harbor Freight became my new friend and slow progress was made on the panels while I waited on suspension parts. I had a chance to visit a friendly MkIV builder nearby and see his build. I was getting even more excited about the process with a bit of concern if I was over my head.
My wife and I decided to drive down to San Marcos for the Texas Cobra meet on March 30. We had a great time, made new friends and saw some incredible cars. It was good to meet the guys from FFR and see the Ohio raffle car. The other wives in attendance spoke to my bride and now we will be ordering a passenger roll bar. We met 2 couples that live within 5 miles of us that have completed kits. Both builders offered to help as their cars were finished. Got a ride in an attendees cars at the track and we saw 0-100mph in under 10 sec.
Upon return home from the event, it was little more work and then off to FFR Build School in cold Michigan. I doubted that a full roadster could be built by 15 guys in 3 days but it was done. The instructors were great (both had built their own cars) and it was good to meet others beginning the process. I was surprised that out of 15 attendees, I was the only one that had already bought the kit. The other 14 were still "considering."
Mark Yagelo from Roush came by and gave us some pointers on engine choice.
I had already decided I would do a Coyote build but it was good to get his input on options. A tour of the Roush complex and museum was worth the time.
I am off to another work weekend but as of next Wednesday, I am free for about 4 weeks to dig in. Parts continue to arrive but I think I have plenty to do now.
The planned color is Indigo blue with platinum stripes.
I have multiple grandsons that are planning to be involved once school lets out in late May. The idea is to make the build a joint project. You don't get enough chances to do that kind of thing so I am taking them where I can.
I don't have a lot of room, so I image I'll keep the Cobra for a while after I am finished and then sell it. It is either sell the Jag or the Cobra and I have owned the XKE since January 1982. My wife calls it my longest continuous love affair and she is right. My decisions about the build take into account not only my personal wishes but the ultimate marketability of the car in a few years. i'll be 70 this year and I think the Cobra may be beyond my reflexes in another few years, but we'll see.
Here are the details of my build as of this moment.(subject to change)
Bought and arrived:
2016 Complete MkIV kit
Powder coated frame
Body cutouts
Leather big and tall seats
Glovebox
2015 IRS
Coyote installation kit
Coyote Power steering
Stainless sidepipe upgrade
17x9/10.5 wheels
Front and rear swaybars
Coyote headers
Breeze cockpit cubby storage area
Front battery mount
Forte 6 piston Wilwood front brakes
Forte 3.55 knuckles and hubs
Driveshaft loop
Upgraded firewall panel
Koolmat interior heat/sound kit (I put one in my Jag and it works great!)
Planned:
Roush dyno-tuned Coyote engine with Roush accessories (435hp)
Tremec 600 with .64 5th
Forte Wilwood rear brakes
Gas-N performance side pipes (I'll have to sell the FFR originals)
Nitto NT555G2 tires all around
Steel bell housing
Cobra Earls fresh air kit, if possible. (I live in Texas, remember)
Your ideas, suggestions and thoughts are always welcome.
If you are in Dallas anytime, stop in for a visit.
Photos will come once I figure out how to upload them to this site.
Larry Johnson
Upon my return, I relocated my 67 Jaguar E-type Roadster to a local storage facility to create garage room. Within a few days, I had the body buck made and the parts inventoried. I was a bit taken aback by the quantity of backorders outstanding but there was still lots to do.
I am semi-retired so I have the luxury of working on the build during the week.
The following week, I began the process trying to end each day with more parts put on than I started the day with. Harbor Freight became my new friend and slow progress was made on the panels while I waited on suspension parts. I had a chance to visit a friendly MkIV builder nearby and see his build. I was getting even more excited about the process with a bit of concern if I was over my head.
My wife and I decided to drive down to San Marcos for the Texas Cobra meet on March 30. We had a great time, made new friends and saw some incredible cars. It was good to meet the guys from FFR and see the Ohio raffle car. The other wives in attendance spoke to my bride and now we will be ordering a passenger roll bar. We met 2 couples that live within 5 miles of us that have completed kits. Both builders offered to help as their cars were finished. Got a ride in an attendees cars at the track and we saw 0-100mph in under 10 sec.
Upon return home from the event, it was little more work and then off to FFR Build School in cold Michigan. I doubted that a full roadster could be built by 15 guys in 3 days but it was done. The instructors were great (both had built their own cars) and it was good to meet others beginning the process. I was surprised that out of 15 attendees, I was the only one that had already bought the kit. The other 14 were still "considering."
Mark Yagelo from Roush came by and gave us some pointers on engine choice.
I had already decided I would do a Coyote build but it was good to get his input on options. A tour of the Roush complex and museum was worth the time.
I am off to another work weekend but as of next Wednesday, I am free for about 4 weeks to dig in. Parts continue to arrive but I think I have plenty to do now.
The planned color is Indigo blue with platinum stripes.
I have multiple grandsons that are planning to be involved once school lets out in late May. The idea is to make the build a joint project. You don't get enough chances to do that kind of thing so I am taking them where I can.
I don't have a lot of room, so I image I'll keep the Cobra for a while after I am finished and then sell it. It is either sell the Jag or the Cobra and I have owned the XKE since January 1982. My wife calls it my longest continuous love affair and she is right. My decisions about the build take into account not only my personal wishes but the ultimate marketability of the car in a few years. i'll be 70 this year and I think the Cobra may be beyond my reflexes in another few years, but we'll see.
Here are the details of my build as of this moment.(subject to change)
Bought and arrived:
2016 Complete MkIV kit
Powder coated frame
Body cutouts
Leather big and tall seats
Glovebox
2015 IRS
Coyote installation kit
Coyote Power steering
Stainless sidepipe upgrade
17x9/10.5 wheels
Front and rear swaybars
Coyote headers
Breeze cockpit cubby storage area
Front battery mount
Forte 6 piston Wilwood front brakes
Forte 3.55 knuckles and hubs
Driveshaft loop
Upgraded firewall panel
Koolmat interior heat/sound kit (I put one in my Jag and it works great!)
Planned:
Roush dyno-tuned Coyote engine with Roush accessories (435hp)
Tremec 600 with .64 5th
Forte Wilwood rear brakes
Gas-N performance side pipes (I'll have to sell the FFR originals)
Nitto NT555G2 tires all around
Steel bell housing
Cobra Earls fresh air kit, if possible. (I live in Texas, remember)
Your ideas, suggestions and thoughts are always welcome.
If you are in Dallas anytime, stop in for a visit.
Photos will come once I figure out how to upload them to this site.
Larry Johnson