Original vs replica/tribute

[Hey Baby]

Just curious guys, how would you compare the "real deal" to one of our Factory Fives? $$$-wise, its a no brainier, I think we can all agree on that, but drive-ability and probably reliability may go to the Factory Five. How about the actual performance? Technology and components since the early 60's certainly have improved, but did it surpass the original Shelby's? Has anyone ever put an original up against one of ours on the track? I realize there are many variables in trying to equally match something like this but it has always been on my mind.... Would a Factory Five be really competitive against the original Shelby? Or should I say, would an original Shelby be competitive against a Factory Five? :confused:

[GoDadGo]

Yes, there are many Factory Five's that can outperform the original cars and there are more than a few that can't.

https://youtu.be/V96-AQ1FghI
https://youtu.be/OGdoVsgOdyc
https://youtu.be/kL053t327Gk

It all depends on the builder and the car's configuration and even the Challenge Car Series with Limited Horsepower were Superfast.

https://youtu.be/yhYP7JQM8vQ

The cool thing about building a Factory Five is that you get to make it your own because you built it yourself to your specifications.

They Truly Are Custom Cars So Plan Your Build & Build Your Dream!

.........................That Is What It Is All About!

...........................https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

[edwardb]

There are just so many variables on both sides, hard to make a generalization. All things being equal though, the more modern suspension, brakes, tires, etc. on a well setup replica will outperform an original. Not to mention wide variations in the driveline between the originals and the many combinations used by replicas. I remembered this video and found a link to it. Sorry but it has commercials. The Factory Five won. But the original was still on old tires. So maybe not particularly surprising. https://www.powernationtv.com/episode/MC2012-05/427-cobra-and-factory-five-roadster.

[Joel Hauser]

The heart of the factory five roadster is the frame. With all due respect to Carrol Shelby and AC, I bet the FFR frame is stronger, stiffer, lighter and safer than the originals.

[mike223]

One of my top build goals was to be faster than an original 427.

For car shows - have some of the original published road tests (R+T, C&D, etc) and have faster drag slips, 0-100-0 video, etc for your build.


"Is it real?" - No, it's faster than that...


Not hard to do - simply with the improved tires we have today.

Add some modern engine + transmission technology = easy meat (or deadlier suicide machine - careful what you wish for)...

[AdamIsAdam]

Yes, there are many Factory Five's that can outperform the original cars and there are more than a few that can't.

https://youtu.be/V96-AQ1FghI
https://youtu.be/OGdoVsgOdyc
https://youtu.be/kL053t327Gk

It all depends on the builder and the car's configuration and even the Challenge Car Series with Limited Horsepower were Superfast.

https://youtu.be/yhYP7JQM8vQ

The cool thing about building a Factory Five is that you get to make it your own because you built it yourself to your specifications.

They Truly Are Custom Cars So Plan Your Build & Build Your Dream!

.........................That Is What It Is All About!

...........................https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA


The guy racing in this video passes more Corvettes than a nun driving by a Chevy dealership after hours! He just drove around them, inside, outside, on the grass. BYE BYE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL053t327Gk&feature=youtu.be

[Hey Baby]

Pretty much the response I'd expected given today's technology and tires. Still pretty impressive in it's own right, not to mention we're comparing apples and oranges. At least we can drive ours rather than keeping them on display or in a museum.

[GoDadGo]

The guy racing in this video passes more Corvettes than a nun driving by a Chevy dealership after hours! He just drove around them, inside, outside, on the grass. BYE BYE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL053t327Gk&feature=youtu.be

That Guy Is John George!

He did a lot of Real-World testing for Factory Five Racing on the Roadster & Type-65 Coupe platforms.
From what I understand he stopped racing to pursue a career opportunity in Europe.

Here is his old Youtube Channel link:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ffr48/videos

[Hoooper]

If the original were restricted to tires the same quality as what was available in 65, pretty much any FFR should be able to get past it on track on modern tires provided it isnt a build just set up to be as comfortable as possible on the street. The difference in tire technology from 1965 to 2020 is huge. An original cobra in 2012 on obviously not 1965 tires put down a time at Laguna Seca roughly the same as what the very limited challenge series cars can do.