#9815 graduation party!

[alexmak]

The time has come!

I can finally say the kit #9815 is done (but as always, it’s never finished).

Our Quarantine Cobra was purchased as MKIV complete kit with some additional options:
- Powder-coated chassis
- IRS parts
- 351 SS headers
- Body cut outs
- Vinyl seats
- Power steering components
- Vintage gauges
- 15 in halibrand style wheels with MT tires
- Vinyl dash with glovebox
- Passenger side roll bars
- Assembled louvers
- Center dash support (didn’t use it)
- IRS 11.65” brake kit
- IRS center section

I placed the order at the end of January 2020, and #9815 was shipped the day Massachusetts started its Covid lockdown - on March 25th, 2020. Other notable milestones:
- The first start happened on June 25th, 2020
- Filed for registration on July 22nd, 2020
- Received title and registration on August 28th, 2020
- Painted and completed final assembly on July 17th, 2021. (made about 1600 miles in gelcoat)
The assembly (except the final one) was done by my son Alex Jr and I (Alex Sr) during Covid lockdown. Our guesstimate is that we spent approximately 600-700 man hours assembling our Cobra. Granted, the car has been done for some time, but I feel like it’s now a proper time to graduate it.

Drivetrain:
- Ford 347 c.i. Carbureted engine from BluePrint Engines (https://factoryfiveengines.com/blueprint-engines-factory-five-engines/blueprint-engines-mk4-roadster-engines/blueprint-engines-ford-347-carbureted-mk4)
- with installed TKO600 5-Speed Transmission
- and installed Polished 1-wire 100 amp Alternator and Power Steering

These were the major components that we expected to build the car with. It never goes as planned, so other options and mods were added to the build as things progressed (thank you, forum, for providing ways to spend even more money!).

Exterior
- Body paint: Viking Blue, painted by a shop in Middletown, PA. Code that was used: PPG 12494, although I believe it came out a bit lighter than original Viking Blue. Body trimming and final body assembly was done by Mark the Traveling Builder.
- Bumper overriders (were required for initial inspection)
- LED headlights (from Breeze)
- LED bulbs for turn signals (Amazon)
- Rubber grommets for jack stand things (Finish Line (FL))
- Lower radiator mount (by Breeze)
- Brake duct grills (by Breeze)
- Wind wings (Finish Line first, then self-fabricated)
- Sun visors
- Cobra logos, “Powered by Ford”
- As part of the final assembly, a soft top from Whitby was added

Engine compartment
- Oil radiator (by Breeze)
- Nomex radiator protector screen (Summit)
- Coolant fill-it kit (by Breeze)
- Radiator shroud (by Breeze)
- Engine compartment battery mounting kit (by Breeze)
- Duralast Battery (Autozone)
- Power steering hose and fitting kit (by Breeze)
- Cobra air filter cover (Summit)
- Fuel filter (Summit)
- Oil cooler (from Breeze)
- Mechanical throttle linkage kit (Forte’s)
- Master brake cylinder (when we discovered the transmission now has hydraulic clutch master cylinder)
- Additional brake fluid reservoirs (to split between front and back)
- Then instead we had a booster and a new master cylinder installed for powered brakes (Whitby’s kit)

Interior
- Acoustic and thermal insulation (Summit, eBay)
- Dashboard support panel (from Mike Everson)
- Cobra center cap (Finish Line)
- Battery cut off switch (Summit)
- Cup holders (Summit)
- USB plug sockets (Summit)
- Car power plug socket (Summit)
- Self-cancelling turn signals relay (Amazon)
- Momentary turn signal switch (Summit)
- Fan switch (Summit)
- Turn signal buttons (PepBoys)
- Floor mats (FL)
- Door panels (FL)
- Seat sliders (Summit)
- Fire extinguishers (small between seats and large in the trunk) (Summit)
- Interior fire extinguisher mount (Summit)
- Seat belt bezel (FL)
- Roll bar bezel (from Mike Everson)
- Seat heaters (cobraheat)
- Headrests (junkyard, DIY from Audi A4)

Other stuff:
- Tire stickers (tirestickers.com)
- Driveshaft safety loop
- Coal filter for fuel ventilation (DIY)
- Trunk gas struts (FFR)
- Additional carpet for dropped trunk (FFR)
- LED lights for plate light (amazon)
- Aluminum panels for extending the trunk (Summit)
- Inspection by Mark The Traveling Builder to give us a piece of mind that we did everything correctly (spoiler alert: we did!)

Multiple other modifications as we went along, including widening driver footbox, trunk extension, etc, etc — I’m sure everyone has gazillion of these. Our build thread wasn’t as thorough as some people do it here, but I think it’s clear from the dates above our schedule was pretty aggressive. But this forum has been a tremendous help and we learnt a lot from it. So thank you, guys!

in any case, it was nothing short of amazing, and I’m still at awe of the fact that two of us built a car that actually drives on the road. It wouldn't also be possible without support from my loving partner and significant other (the same person!). Oh, and also the car looks amazing! Time for some photos!

First day
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154161&d=1633548054

Exterior
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154157&d=1633545402

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154152&d=1633545369

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154158&d=1633545402

[alexmak]

Interior
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154147&d=1633545328

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154148&d=1633545328

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154150&d=1633545369

Engine bay
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154151&d=1633545369

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154162&d=1633548510


Is this love? Very likely, she's a looker:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154155&d=1633545402

Photographer: James Graves / www.jamesgravey.com (https://www.jamesgravey.com)
Assistant: Alex Blassingame
Location: Englishtown Raceway Park

[Blitzboy54]

Love love love the color. Great Job!!!

Beautiful car. I have watched all your YouTube videos as well. Congratulations to you and your son.

[GoDadGo]

Just understand that you won't drive anywhere without people taking pictures or videos of you and your car.

Congratulations, Because You Did It & Did It Well!

Now Let The Fun Begin!

[egchewy79]

That was some quick work! Car is truly stunning. Congrats

[Cobradavid]

Congrats! Beautiful car! The black 15" wheels and painted louvers really give it a distinctive, classic look.

[CaptB]

Congrats, nice color!

[alexmak]

Just understand that you won't drive anywhere without people taking pictures or videos of you and your car.

Congratulations, Because You Did It & Did It Well!

Now Let The Fun Begin!

Thank you. And oh yes, this is the car for driving. already almost 3k miles on it.

[CFranks]

Congrats! Looks awesome. You finished your car in the same duration it takes me to do an oil change.

[Papa]

Congratulations!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've kind of become a sucker for solid/no stripe cars---well done :cool:

Now go enjoy it!

Jeff

[alexmak]

Love love love the color. Great Job!!!

Beautiful car. I have watched all your YouTube videos as well. Congratulations to you and your son.

Thank you! I'll do some sort of graduation video as well!

[alexmak]

I've kind of become a sucker for solid/no stripe cars---well done :cool:

Now go enjoy it!

Jeff

Thank you, Jeff! Your paint code for Viking Blue is in those photos!

[alexmak]

That was some quick work! Car is truly stunning. Congrats


Thank you!

[alexmak]

Congratulations!


Thank you! Your self-cancelling turn signals are in there!

[nucjd19]

I've kind of become a sucker for solid/no stripe cars---well done :cool:

Now go enjoy it!

Jeff

Me too!!!! My game plan is this exact color with no stripes. I just LOVE your build Alexmak!

[KDubU]

Stunning! Congrats on a great build and a beauty.

[RJD]

Beautiful! Congratulations. Great photo shoot.

[frankb]

Nice work! Congratulations!

[mburger]

Beautiful! I am digging the black wheels. Nice job!

[WIS89]

WOW, congratulations on a stunning build!! I really love that color, and the no stripe look -- as others have already pointed out...

Nice, clean, well thought out build, and great execution -- plus done extra fast!

Love the pictures too; they were really nicely done.

Congratulations again on a beautiful build -- now drive the heck out of her!!

Regards,

Steve

[alexmak]

Beautiful! I am digging the black wheels. Nice job!

Thank you. 289 cobras were an inspiration, and many of them had black wheels. I felt like black roll bars, black exhaust and black wheels complete each other

[alexmak]

WOW, congratulations on a stunning build!! I really love that color, and the no stripe look -- as others have already pointed out...

Nice, clean, well thought out build, and great execution -- plus done extra fast!

Love the pictures too; they were really nicely done.

Congratulations again on a beautiful build -- now drive the heck out of her!!

Regards,

Steve

I remember asking here on the forum — what was the hardest thing to do when building one? Plenty of people answered "picking up color". I can relate to that, because there are so many variables — chrome elements, SS elements, stripes. Not to mention other household cars' color — do we really want two red or two blue cars, haha.

and after spending so much time and sweat, I felt it was completely worth it to splurge on the professional photoshoot. It's such a gratification, almost hard to describe — seeing your creation through the eyes of the professional, and enjoying its look in the best possible way. It was totally worth it!

[alexmak]

Nice work! Congratulations!


Thank you!

[alexmak]

Beautiful! Congratulations. Great photo shoot.

Thank you!

[Straversi]

Congratulations. I enjoyed watching this one come together. Thanks for sharing your Covid project. Great photos also, especially the last one. Yes, she is a looker. As they say, if you don’t turn around and look after you park, you are driving the wrong car. Well done.
-Steve.

[ggunter]

Beautiful color, that one is one of my favorites. Well Done Enjoy:)

[JV1953]

Congratulations! Beautiful! Enjoy!

[BrewCityCobra]

Beautiful car. Love the theme throughout. Great look!

[alexmak]

Beautiful car. Love the theme throughout. Great look!

Thank you. I guess one can see some resemblance of 289 cobras in there, although I just didn't want to build exact replica of that. it's so hard to keep it reasonable but relatively with taste

[Ray from Long Island]

Beautiful job guys! Love the "remove before flight tag"

[cgundermann]

Absolutely LOVE the color! Congratulations - now go out and enjoy the hell out of it…

It never gets old!

Chris

[Fman]

Congratulations, great looking build! Color scheme is fantastic… Hope you have many miles of awesome driving!:cool:

[alexmak]

Congratulations, great looking build! Color scheme is fantastic… Hope you have many miles of awesome driving!:cool:

Thank you! My goal is to drive as much as possible, because it’s just like nothing else. I’ve met a gentleman recently - 80yo man who has 80,000 miles on his 2003 Superformance, and drives it anywhere. Inspiring!

[alexmak]

Ok, so the car graduated, and I have a couple of small improvements to do here and there, but what do I really do now??? Driving is fine, but… that’s it???

[CFranks]

Ok, so the car graduated, and I have a couple of small improvements to do here and there, but what do I really do now??? Driving is fine, but… that’s it???

One word. Coupe.

[egchewy79]

Ok, so the car graduated, and I have a couple of small improvements to do here and there, but what do I really do now??? Driving is fine, but… that’s it???

I'm struggling with the same thing. Mine is waiting on body/ paint and have some minor things I'm still tweaking. Thinking of my next project already. The journey was almost as fun as reaching the finish line.

[alexmak]

One word. Coupe.

I thought about that. Feels like the same project with some modifications and a different skin. Considering gt40 replica in few years

[NiceGuyEddie]

That's a nice one. I've been on this scene for almost 20 years and I have seen literally over 10,000 photos of Cobras. I am quite certain that no one has done that color blue, no stripe, and all-black wheels. Looks fantastic, especially considering the FAT-looking 15" wheels and BIG white letter tires. In fact, if you did a stripe I think the car would not look as good.

Cheers to you for keeping it simple. This car's design speaks for itself. It is my STRONG opinion that there is only so much one should do to modernize an iconic car like the Shelby Cobra. There is one Cobra manufacturer, I won't say who it is, but let's say they go way overboard with their "modern version." Diamond-stich seats, diamond-stich door panels, carbon fiber dash, florescent yellow gauges, logos on the floor mats, logos on the seats, logos on the sides of the car. Paint colors such as highlighter green, blacked-out windshield frame, black headlight bezels, LED headlights - foam-covered and flat bottomed MOMO steering wheel - OK I'll stop.

While there is nothing wrong with any of the above options, doing them all might make even a rapper say, "that's tacky." Your car is just perfect and if I ever build another one, I'll p/m you to ask permission to copy it.

:)

[Blitzboy54]

That's a nice one. I've been on this scene for almost 20 years and I have seen literally over 10,000 photos of Cobras. I am quite certain that no one has done that color blue, no stripe, and all-black wheels. Looks fantastic, especially considering the FAT-looking 15" wheels and BIG white letter tires. In fact, if you did a stripe I think the car would not look as good.

Cheers to you for keeping it simple. This car's design speaks for itself. It is my STRONG opinion that there is only so much one should do to modernize an iconic car like the Shelby Cobra. There is one Cobra manufacturer, I won't say who it is, but let's say they go way overboard with their "modern version." Diamond-stich seats, diamond-stich door panels, carbon fiber dash, florescent yellow gauges, logos on the floor mats, logos on the seats, logos on the sides of the car. Paint colors such as highlighter green, blacked-out windshield frame, black headlight bezels, LED headlights - foam-covered and flat bottomed MOMO steering wheel - OK I'll stop.

While there is nothing wrong with any of the above options, doing them all might make even a rapper say, "that's tacky." Your car is just perfect and if I ever build another one, I'll p/m you to ask permission to copy it.

:)



You are going to sooooo hate my car

[cnutting]

Well done, love the color choice!

[NiceGuyEddie]

Alex: you mean you aren't going to share say, at least 10 more pictures of your car? :( :confused: :(

[alexmak]

Alex: you mean you aren't going to share say, at least 10 more pictures of your car? :( :confused: :(

Hahaha! Thank you for asking! The photographer is still processing images from the photo shoot - he made about 2.5k shots. Promises to be done next week. Then I’ll start posting them. In the meantime here are a couple I took with my iPhone recently. (I switched to powder coated quick jacks few days ago, and black cup holders! Lol) I’m almost at 3k miles now, enjoying every yard of it.

My only complaint is the seats, with my back screwed up by scoliosis after 1h drive it starts getting uncomfortable. But I don’t want to switch to high back sports seat like kirkey because of the look. Might need to look for some alternatives that are more comfortable for me

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154707&d=1634985435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154706&d=1634985435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154708&d=1634985435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154709&d=1634985435

[NiceGuyEddie]

You will sit differently in the big & tall man roadster seats even if you are not a big and tall man, but I don't see them on the FFR website anymore. Maybe they don't make them or just out of stock.

Looking forward to these "processed" photos.

[GTBradley]

Love the color and the 15” wheels! Nice work.

I had trouble with the seats too so made my own lumbar support air bladder and it makes a world of difference to my lower back. The other issue with the FFR seats is the the top should fade away from you somewhat - these are too straight at the top in my opinion.

I would love to hear details about your headrest mod. I’m looking into that now, in-fact, I just got some BMW headrests from the salvage yard that look like yours.

[alexmak]

Love the color and the 15” wheels! Nice work.

I had trouble with the seats too so made my own lumbar support air bladder and it makes a world of difference to my lower back. The other issue with the FFR seats is the the top should fade away from you somewhat - these are too straight at the top in my opinion.

I would love to hear details about your headrest mod. I’m looking into that now, in-fact, I just got some BMW headrests from the salvage yard that look like yours.

Thank you!

I also have an air bladder in my seat now, and it definitely helps. I bought it for a lumbar support, but ended up having it higher, when my back's curve presses agains the headrest holder pipes. I did have a small thread on that, with several pics — it's pretty straightforward, although may depend on the headrest source.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?36838-Headrests-mod

We had two pairs: from Audi and from Mercedes, Audi's worked better
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154978&d=1635514914

Aluminum plate to attach pipes where the headrest's holders go into
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154979&d=1635514914

This is what it looks like on the inside. not the prettiest job, but it works!
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154980&d=1635514914

Here's Alex Jr making holes in the vinyl (sorry it's sideways). The black plastic things in pipes need to be taken out, so vinyl goes back on, and then they inserted into the pipes. then the headrests are inserted into these.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=154981&d=1635514914

[Blitzboy54]

I love the head rest mod. So clever.

Like others have said you managed to pick a color I haven’t seen done. It’s so fun to look at. I am also looking forward to your professional photos.

Are the lift a dots for a tonneau cover or a top?

[alexmak]

I love the head rest mod. So clever.

Like others have said you managed to pick a color I haven’t seen done. It’s so fun to look at. I am also looking forward to your professional photos.

Are the lift a dots for a tonneau cover or a top?

This is for a top — I have whitby's soft top in tan color. works so much better with this paint color rather than black top

[tonywy]

I love the look of this car. It looks gritty/ballsy like a Cobra should, not a chromed out trailer queen. Nice job.

[alexmak]

I know I promised more pictures from the graduation photoshoot, and here they are. I tried to make sure none of them were used in the initial post but managing images is not the strongest feature of this forum. I'll be adding about 5 images per comment:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156712&d=1637603354

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156711&d=1637603354

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156710&d=1637603354

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156709&d=1637603354

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156708&d=1637603354

[alexmak]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156717&d=1637603381

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156716&d=1637603381

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156715&d=1637603381

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156714&d=1637603381

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156713&d=1637603381

[alexmak]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156722&d=1637603401

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156721&d=1637603401

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156720&d=1637603401

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156719&d=1637603401

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156718&d=1637603401

[alexmak]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156727&d=1637603417

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156726&d=1637603417

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156725&d=1637603417

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156724&d=1637603417

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156723&d=1637603417

[alexmak]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156732&d=1637603435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156731&d=1637603435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156730&d=1637603435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156729&d=1637603435

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156728&d=1637603435

[alexmak]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156735&d=1637603454

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156734&d=1637603454

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156733&d=1637603454

[alexmak]

Since photoshoot I replaced chromed bumper over riders with black quick jacks, and also with black cup holders. I hope I won't spiral out of control with "all blacked out" things :)

[alexmak]

Oh, and I also did a video with showing the finished car, and just driving around with final thoughts, mumbling some nonsense, trying to be louder than the engine (had to tone down the engine noise)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri5WA3ldvNs