Howdy from Arizona!

[JSimmons]

Hello all,

Just checking in from Arizona to say hello. I’ve always been interested in an FFR roadster and joined the forums to learn more about the buying, building and registration process before taking the plunge myself. I had an FFR forum account years ago but life, new email and new computers got in the way of moving forward on this dream. Anyhow, I’m glad to be back here to learn about how to make the dream come true. Cliche...I know.

Anyhow I’m located in southeast Arizona where the weather is very conducive to owning an FFR roadster. 😎 And the wife thinks they’re “cute” so that’s a plus. Just trying to find a way forward that won’t break the bank if you know what I mean.

Thanks for this forum and I’ll see you guys out there.

Regards,
Joel

[Desert Cobra]

Welcome to the club. We have about 50 members here in Tucson with about 25 cars. Until now we had taken group rides several times a year. Yes Arizona and roadsters go together well... except for June, July and August. A FFR kit is the best stay at home project I can think of. I built mine when I retired to ease into it. Lots of help available with the build if you need it. Attached is a picture from about 4 years ago. Don't wait until its too late and you can't get into the car and don't cut corners on the build quality, or you will just have to upgrade it down the road.

[JSimmons]

Welcome to the club. We have about 50 members here in Tucson with about 25 cars. Until now we had taken group rides several times a year. Yes Arizona and roadsters go together well... except for June, July and August. A FFR kit is the best stay at home project I can think of. I built mine when I retired to ease into it. Lots of help available with the build if you need it. Attached is a picture from about 4 years ago. Don't wait until its too late and you can't get into the car and don't cut corners on the build quality, or you will just have to upgrade it down the road.

Hi Desert Cobra!

Thank you for the warm welcome. Yes, you’re right about the summer months being a bit harsh for life in a roadster. But, I’d rather deal with the heat than snow and ice elsewhere. I did not know there were that many roadsters in Tucson. I’ve seen a few driving around every now and then. Great looking couple in a great looking car there! I hear you on not waiting too long to tackle a project like this. It is something I’d love to do, but I feel that I need to plan it out very carefully; certainly financially speaking. I’m not quite at retirement age yet, but it would be nice to figure out how to do this piecemeal. Do you guys have a local club or an area on the forums here? Do you plan on having meet-ups again later on in the year?

Thanks again for the welcome and hopefully see you out there.

Regards,
Joel

[BadAsp427]

Welcome to the fun... Having lived in Vegas for 12 years, I understand the heat... Having driven my Mk4 in the hot direct sun here in SC, I understand the heat... You will want to get one of those nice long sleeve "fishing" shirts to where when driving in the hot, direct sun... that and a hat will be helpful and keep you much cooler.. Either way, you in for a great time...

[JSimmons]

Welcome to the fun... Having lived in Vegas for 12 years, I understand the heat... Having driven my Mk4 in the hot direct sun here in SC, I understand the heat... You will want to get one of those nice long sleeve "fishing" shirts to where when driving in the hot, direct sun... that and a hat will be helpful and keep you much cooler.. Either way, you in for a great time...

Thank you for the welcome! I know the shirts you’re talking about. It’s already hitting the 90s here this weekend and I’m a bit higher up in elevation than Tucson.

Now I just need to budget/plan for a build...

[Desert Cobra]

FFR offers the best deals on their most complete packages, so it is difficult to do it in pieces. The major cost is of course is the kit. Buy FFR assembly instructions and read through them. You will need space, a body buck, room for about 36 boxes, tools. You could hold off on engine/ transmission ($5-8,000) for now. Wheels and tires ($1-4,000) and a paint job. You could get the basic kit, no accessories. I got the complete kit so I don't know what the real world savings might be with the basic kit. Carpet, seats,engine dress up items can wait as well. Get to know the nuts, bolts, fastener isle at Ace Hardware. I would expect a lot of sales once FFR and others open their doors but there could be material shortages as well coincident with deep discounts. Another is to buy a kit from a "stalled" project...but then you have to add back in shipping ($1-3000). Lots of different ways to do it. The important thing is to get it done if that is your dream. A friend built a plane in his garage... so no excuses.

[JSimmons]

FFR offers the best deals on their most complete packages, so it is difficult to do it in pieces. The major cost is of course is the kit. Buy FFR assembly instructions and read through them. You will need space, a body buck, room for about 36 boxes, tools. You could hold off on engine/ transmission ($5-8,000) for now. Wheels and tires ($1-4,000) and a paint job. You could get the basic kit, no accessories. I got the complete kit so I don't know what the real world savings might be with the basic kit. Carpet, seats,engine dress up items can wait as well. Get to know the nuts, bolts, fastener isle at Ace Hardware. I would expect a lot of sales once FFR and others open their doors but there could be material shortages as well coincident with deep discounts. Another is to buy a kit from a "stalled" project...but then you have to add back in shipping ($1-3000). Lots of different ways to do it. The important thing is to get it done if that is your dream. A friend built a plane in his garage... so no excuses.

I appreciate the insight on how FFR offers their pricing. That is the type of tribal knowledge that I’m looking for in this “planning phase” I suppose you could say. I certainly have the space and tools; I’m no stranger to turning a wrench or flying an airplane for that matter. I’ve been tempted to build a few STOL aircraft as well, but I’ll leave that to the A&Ps out there.

For now I’m just lurking around reading information. I will keep an eye on the FFR webpage to see if they have any post-shutdown specials. I don’t think I would be a candidate for picking up a stalled project. Although I would like to stretch my dollars as far as they will go (who knows how much inflation is coming in the future), I am not one to cut corners purely for short-term “savings.” Usually that just results in having to pay twice to have something done right later on.

Thank you again for the insight and tips. I certainly appreciate it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Joel

[Gordon Levy]

You are welcome to wander up to check out any number of cars we usually have around here and I would be happy to answer any questions for you.

[JSimmons]

You are welcome to wander up to check out any number of cars we usually have around here and I would be happy to answer any questions for you.

Hi Gordon. Thank you for the offer. I’ll definitely take you up on it the next time we’re heading up that way.

[Turbo]

Welcome to the dream. Go for it.