Housteau
05-26-2020, 03:17 PM
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I am new to this forum, but also one of the very first customers of FFR. I am here happy to say that #47 has been on the road for 23+ years without any issues. Well, I should say that the only failures I have had were with some original Lucas toggle switches I had installed. That old prince of darkness, Lucas, got me once again. I should have learned after having two MGs.
The early Mark I cars are often maligned in different car circles. Yes it is true that compared to the Mark IV they were more primitive and rougher mechanically and around the edges. Speaking of edges the fiberglass body was often less than ideal in several respects. But, you know what, it all worked and worked well. I can remember going to cars events 20 years ago and having my car next to some beautifully finished Cobra replicas from other manufacturers. They were flawless and I mean flawless. It really surprised me when my car would get a lot of interest, because apparently the others had looked so perfect that mine was thought to be closer to an original in look and feel. I distinctly remember being asked if mine was the real one, because the others were obvious replicas. Ever since then I have embraced the less than perfect and enjoyed mine for was it was and is today.
I had been looking to build a Cobra for some time when FFR came on the scene. It seemed that those two brothers had come up with a package with just me in mind, someone with a technical mind that was mechanical yet may have never worked on cars before. That was me all over. Yes I had MGs and anyone with an MG learns a few basic things, but I really did not know that much at all. The manual was so well put together that I had no problem following it and getting my car together. If I had questions I would give a call to either David, or Mark and it all got sorted out. They were excited when customers would call. Had customers not made that leap into the waters with the Mark I, I doubt there would be a Mark IV today.
I was not adventurous in building. I basically just followed the instructions for the base kit using the stock 5.0 Mustang parts. It started on day one and has run flawlessly ever since, what an ideal and perfect set-up FFR had for a persons first car project. I had always planned to do another, but that just hasn't happened, not yet anyway. My car is pretty basic with just a few touches of my own here and there, such as my interior and wheels. You will not see another set of wheels like mine anywhere. They are a composite of my own design.
I did not have a workshop or machining area to build my car. All I had was a two car garage. I didn't even have a workbench, or vice. What I had were vice grips and hand files. And yes when I was young I did walk to school uphill, both ways :). I made my engine hoist from the 4x6 runners that were at the base of my shipping crate. They supported the main cross member of my garage from where I hung a chain fall. From uncrating the car to the installation of the engine and body, mine were the only two hands to touch the car. The only thing I needed help with was the body prep and paint. That can be the make, or break point.
So, here I am after all these years with my interest being peaked once again. I still get that car envy from time to time looking at other's cars and that car porno online. But, when I go in my garage and turn on the light, it still hits me that wow, look at this and it is mine. It has never gotten old and snaps me back to a nice reality. Still, given the chance I know I could do a lot better today with what I have learned over the years and the quality of what is out now. I am drawn to the original street 289 though. I am sure a big part of that is my remaining interest in the old MGs.
129043 129044 129045
I am new to this forum, but also one of the very first customers of FFR. I am here happy to say that #47 has been on the road for 23+ years without any issues. Well, I should say that the only failures I have had were with some original Lucas toggle switches I had installed. That old prince of darkness, Lucas, got me once again. I should have learned after having two MGs.
The early Mark I cars are often maligned in different car circles. Yes it is true that compared to the Mark IV they were more primitive and rougher mechanically and around the edges. Speaking of edges the fiberglass body was often less than ideal in several respects. But, you know what, it all worked and worked well. I can remember going to cars events 20 years ago and having my car next to some beautifully finished Cobra replicas from other manufacturers. They were flawless and I mean flawless. It really surprised me when my car would get a lot of interest, because apparently the others had looked so perfect that mine was thought to be closer to an original in look and feel. I distinctly remember being asked if mine was the real one, because the others were obvious replicas. Ever since then I have embraced the less than perfect and enjoyed mine for was it was and is today.
I had been looking to build a Cobra for some time when FFR came on the scene. It seemed that those two brothers had come up with a package with just me in mind, someone with a technical mind that was mechanical yet may have never worked on cars before. That was me all over. Yes I had MGs and anyone with an MG learns a few basic things, but I really did not know that much at all. The manual was so well put together that I had no problem following it and getting my car together. If I had questions I would give a call to either David, or Mark and it all got sorted out. They were excited when customers would call. Had customers not made that leap into the waters with the Mark I, I doubt there would be a Mark IV today.
I was not adventurous in building. I basically just followed the instructions for the base kit using the stock 5.0 Mustang parts. It started on day one and has run flawlessly ever since, what an ideal and perfect set-up FFR had for a persons first car project. I had always planned to do another, but that just hasn't happened, not yet anyway. My car is pretty basic with just a few touches of my own here and there, such as my interior and wheels. You will not see another set of wheels like mine anywhere. They are a composite of my own design.
I did not have a workshop or machining area to build my car. All I had was a two car garage. I didn't even have a workbench, or vice. What I had were vice grips and hand files. And yes when I was young I did walk to school uphill, both ways :). I made my engine hoist from the 4x6 runners that were at the base of my shipping crate. They supported the main cross member of my garage from where I hung a chain fall. From uncrating the car to the installation of the engine and body, mine were the only two hands to touch the car. The only thing I needed help with was the body prep and paint. That can be the make, or break point.
So, here I am after all these years with my interest being peaked once again. I still get that car envy from time to time looking at other's cars and that car porno online. But, when I go in my garage and turn on the light, it still hits me that wow, look at this and it is mine. It has never gotten old and snaps me back to a nice reality. Still, given the chance I know I could do a lot better today with what I have learned over the years and the quality of what is out now. I am drawn to the original street 289 though. I am sure a big part of that is my remaining interest in the old MGs.