FFR School

[kevingib]

I want to build a FFR 33 Hot Rod and will be attending school this fall prior to placing an order. I have boys that will be 16 in September and 12, can kids attend the school? I want to make this experience a bonding project and having both of them attend the school should kick things off nicely.

[steno]

Sure! They'll do just fine! Had some when I went!

[kevingib]

Awesome. How old were yours? My older one helped me on a Vett restore so I know he will be engaged. The younger one always feels left out and I am hoping he will jump atthe chance to work with us on this project.

[jwsnake56]

I was at the build school for the Mk4 earlier this month. My youngest son (17) was with me and there were 3 other "under 18" participants there. Two were brothers, one around 14-15 the other around 17. The younger one seemed a little overwhelmed and did not participate and do much. But there were older guys there who were the same way too. It is a team approach to the build and the participant has to be ready to jump right in and not be intimidated. There is not a lot of time for instructions on basic tool use and mechanics. It is assumed that you have that down. There is also a lot of time spent talking the details of the build and that was a little boring for the younger guys who wanted to be putting on parts. Overall it was a great experience for my son. Especially since I let him drive all the way from NE Ohio on the fast Michigan interstates.
Hope this helps,
John S.

[kevingib]

I was at the build school for the Mk4 earlier this month. My youngest son (17) was with me and there were 3 other "under 18" participants there. Two were brothers, one around 14-15 the other around 17. The younger one seemed a little overwhelmed and did not participate and do much. But there were older guys there who were the same way too. It is a team approach to the build and the participant has to be ready to jump right in and not be intimidated. There is not a lot of time for instructions on basic tool use and mechanics. It is assumed that you have that down. There is also a lot of time spent talking the details of the build and that was a little boring for the younger guys who wanted to be putting on parts. Overall it was a great experience for my son. Especially since I let him drive all the way from NE Ohio on the fast Michigan interstates.
Hope this helps,
John S.

Thanks for the insight. My older one knows his way around and should be very engaged. The younger one has basic tool knowledge and works on his own BMX race bike and scooter. I will see if I can engage him some around the house woring on my Shelby and see how he does. The good news is this isnt a new idea and others have seen success with it.

[unrealmach1]

I was looking into the same thing and the Mott website says Kids 12 and up are welcome to attend.

[kevingib]

I was looking into the same thing and the Mott website says Kids 12 and up are welcome to attend.

thanks, I didnt see that but they were on my list to call tomorrow.

[RoadRacer]

I've built cars before, most kit like was a GTD40 back in mid nineties. Is it worthwhile me going to the school? How was it? I'm tempted just to hear the tips and tricks.. but then, we have this forum too.

[Taking the Plunge]

I am doing a build with my now 11 year old son. The manual is terrible and there are so many things you have to interpret/figure out on your own and he loses interest when dad is scratching his head wondering what to do. So, I have built most of the car myself at this point. Three years into it and am working on the wiring.

[dmoran]

.. Is it worthwhile me going to the school? How was it? ...
I found that it was invaluable and a lot of fun. I went with my 72yo father and 20yo son. We had a great time overall.

I hadn't ordered a kit and wasn't even sure I was going to do a build. The school shows what is involved and also gives you an opportunity to see some of the options. They have all 3 rear ends there and will talk about each, they show seat choices, battery location and donor vs full kit. They had a guy come in and talk about engine choices. They go over a ton of gotcha's that the book speeds over or doesn't mention. The forums are great but you have to know what to search for and you don't know what you don't know. I have emailed the instructors a couple times for advice during my build which was helpful.

I used the info there to decide beforehand what I wanted to build and ended up buying the base kit, upgrades during the 50% sale and the specific 3rd party components where I didn't like the FFR ones. I recommend downloading the manual and reading through it so you have an idea of what's coming. Go to build school with your list of questions that they will answer. Follow along with the build and take notes in the hard copy book they give you. This will save you from having to remember where in your notes to look.

A lot of the class is done like a cooking show where they talk about the details of each assembly but in many cases, they have already done the tedious or boring stuff. For example, the sheet metal is already drilled so you don't spend a whole day drilling and riveting. They will talk about brake lines and and show how to bend and flair giving you the opportunity to do some flairs and bends. But, the brake line you install is already bent and ready to go. Not a lot of boredom, they keep it moving which is good for the kids. You have opportunity to work on skills as needed. For example, your youngest could spend time practicing skills like soldering or riveting while you and your older son are turning wrenches. It is very informal and hands on so it really can be what you make it.

Doug