Hi from Massachusetts

[DanaA]

I just joined the forum. I have wanted to build a Cobra since before Factory Five even existed. With Massachusetts shut down, my son (13) is pressing for us to do a build together. I am currently saving up for the build and working towards ordering a kit in late 2021 or early 2022.

Before I do that I also have to build a garage to do the build in. My question for other builders is how big is your garage? I don't have a ton of room and am hoping to do the build in a 12x20 garage or possibly 14x20 at the biggest. Would love some feedback from other builder on garage space, especially from you fellow builders who are using smaller garages for your builds.

[Dieter123]

Hi DanaA, I should be getting my MK4 this month, the portion of my garage footprint that I intend to dedicate my build is 12x25. I have already built a body buck that will allow me to suspend the body overhead during the build until I am ready for it. Hit me back in a month or so and I should be able to give you a more "hands on" answer.

[brewha]

I used my half of a 2 car garage to build mine as my wife would not let me use her side at all. About 14 by 22 of space. It will be tight in the beginning with all the boxes but that quickly diminishes as the build goes on. Hanging bodybucks are ok if you have very high ceilings. If ceilings are low or finished, a rolling bodybuck that fits over the frame is helpful so you can work on the front end one day and the rear end the next day. Also think about heat for garage. It’s no fun working in a cold garage on a cold car. I use a torpedo propane heater and it works great until someone opens the garage doors. Good luck with your project.

[chuckster]

I have a 20’ x 20’ garage and it’s perfect for me. That said, I could have built the car quite comfortably in a 14’ x 20’. But I’d say build the largest garage you can. As for heat/cool, I installed a ductless mini split. Did the install myself, for less than 1k.127576

[Garage Guy]

I built mine in a garage that is 14 x 20 and with out the body on I was able to turn it around. I had my boxes in front of it and 2 shelving units on the side plus a work bench. I had a second garage that I stored the body in, but half way through I started storing it above the car. I did not plan for that when I built the garage and would have liked to have had higher over head room. I did loose the use of the over head door when It was up in the air, but I stored it there during the winter so did not need to open it. but build as big as you can. Go big or go home!

[cnutting]

I used half of a two car garage for the build (I did store the body on my wife's side of the garage for the first year), worked well. I see you are in Natick, not far from Mike Forte's shop in Framingham.

[DanaA]

Thank you guys for the responses. I just read through your FIA289 build #8833. Really nice work! I saw that you used an older engine block and can run without cats. Is there an exemption from emissions if I go with an old (pre-1973) block and get it rebuilt vs. a newer Mustang donor engine?

[cnutting]

Thanks!

Yes, that is one option. The other option is to buy a crusher vehicle that has been recently registered. The exact process is fairly well detailed, and available through the RMV.

[Turbo]

Welcome to the FFR family.