Factory Five Cobra Wanted

[Test Driver]

Looking for a quality built Cobra, I have $35,000 to spend on one. It’s now June of 2023. Still looking for a car, with all that’s going on in the United States of America. My timing isn’t great, but someone might need to sell to free up some cash. My email is Rasrreynolds1@gmail.com

[drewr]

You'll have just enough for a kit, drive train and tires. You'll have to save up for body work and paint. Seriously, though, most have more than that in these cars.

[AC Bill]

FFR's have gained ground in their pricing in just the last few years, but then what hasn't gone up in price..

A few years ago you probably could have found a donor build, that perhaps still needed a little tweeking, or maybe a half built roadster with all the needed parts, that someone gave up on. With enough looking you might get lucky, but $35k today is on the low side, for a completed, and decent driver.

[fenderguitarsrock]

I see them pop up on other sites sometimes for even as low as 25k, but they go within seconds. Ive missed a few. When they do pop up you have to move extremely fast. What really commands higher prices is rarity. Factory 5's are becoming less and less and less rare everyday because they keep making more and more and more thus raising the supply and lowering the demand. It all boils down to supply and demand. But I wish this buyer luck and patience.

[mikeinatlanta]

I see them pop up on other sites sometimes for even as low as 25k, but they go within seconds. Ive missed a few. When they do pop up you have to move extremely fast. What really commands higher prices is rarity. Factory 5's are becoming less and less and less rare everyday because they keep making more and more and more thus raising the supply and lowering the demand. It all boils down to supply and demand. But I wish this buyer luck and patience.

I disagree with this assessment when it comes to home/customer built cars as each is a one of one unique build. IMO: In addition to inflation, perception of the brand quality is improving as it slowly gains popularity. Had FFR failed during the MKI phase, I don't think those early cars would be significantly more valuable today with their increased rarity. FFR used to be shunned as junk (falsely) back then, but not so much now. This value increase we are seeing is all about brand acceptance.

An example of when rarity would apply is my bike. The factory built 200 over three years, mine being the only one in all carbon fiber body. A true factory built one of one.

[J R Jones]

Early and late in life I have worked at retail dealerships selling new and used vehicles. Used vehicles are a risk given their repair/maintenance history. The sales department evaluated most used cars and occasionally called service to weigh in on the viability of used vehicles. Reconditioning/retail or wholesale/auction were the resolution options. Reconditioning included removing any non-OEM parts or "personalization".

One can see similar evaluations on CarFax where the highest valued vehicles are repaired and maintained at OEM dealers or highly regarded independents.

A kit car is value dependent in proportion of content, engineering and assembly. There is evaluation of the manufactured parts, the added parts and the DIY assembly. The last part is the most nebulous.
This forum could be considered a negative and positive reflection on FFR cars. Many owner/builders do not make OEM (professional) build choices as much as personal choices. Like a Carfax report, unknowns and risk reduce value. It is risky to build one of these cars as a monetary investment.
jim

[narly1]

There's an old saw that says the value of a custom car is the asking price less what it will take to set it up to the way you want it.

Earl

[RAD FORD]

people always trying to downplay your ride-/cut it down/anything just hoping they can afford it one day, AND as for the value as stated by "narly 1"- they way U WANT a car is what YOU Have To Consider-why should someone discount their car because you wanted something different- illogical, no one would ever be able to sell their toys- we all want it different than what its is- i got a unfinished '65 Cobra Factory Five project in Hawaii- never been titled, redoing the 3/4 box tubing to stainless, might sell it already sitting on 98 Cobra stang roller parts- but i have a hair trigger on aholes with 'Tude/low ballers and belly crawlers-will be fast to tell ppl GFY or worse, if they act/talk stupid. Also got a Shay 1955 T- Bird project, one of them needs to go so i can focus on the other-no matter to me which one . could use the money- but Not desperate for it- coffee season hasnt been great so far. lol