First drive!

[Blue Viking]

After almost three years of building, and countless drives up and down the driveway, I finally got to take it out on the road the other day. It was a bit twitchy on the steering at first, but a few adjustments made it a lot better. Had to adjust the RT signal lever a bit, other than that, all good, put about 45 miles on it. The brakes ( Willwood and hydroboost) are great, excellent modulation and plenty of stopping ability. The power-steering is tight, direct and precise. The suspension feels perfect. Tight and firm, but not unpleasantly so, and no squeaks or rattles. Need to improve the tune, runs a bit ritch in cruise, but it goes like stink, the eight-stack has plenty of low down torque, so very flexible powerband. I did have some resonans in certain spots. I feel it is just due to the engine bolted firmly to the frame (Gordon Levy mounts) without any cushioning, doesn't feel like driveshaft vibration.
So that's the background. What I really wanted to say is, WOW, what an experience it was! I like everybody else here have read about the "Cobra experience", and thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong, it was so much more. I thought it would be like a fast, slightly loud sports car, but this isn't, it's a race car! Noisier than he**, fast, vibrating, smelly and great looking. I came home with a wide grin on my face, smelly and slightly deaf.
I want to thank the community here for all help and insight. I haven't asked too many questions myself, but have greatly benefited from others asking questions, an invaluable source.
Now on to the task of getting it registered and then paint at some point.

[Nigel Allen]

Thumbs up from the other side of the world ��

[GoDadGo]

Congratulations & We (The Entire Factory Five Family) Are Thrilled That Another Car Is Born!

People who haven't experience these cars don't know what they are missing.

Throttle House MK-4 Review:.. https://youtu.be/81OVZnHWd2A

You just need ear plugs to truly enjoy your car.

[KDubU]

Congrats! Now are you painting it Viking Blue? :)

[Sigurd]

Gratulerer

[Blue Viking]

Congrats! Now are you painting it Viking Blue? :)
What on earth put you on that idea.?.....Yes that is the plan, but it may change. I am partial to Sapphire blue as well.

[John4337]

Congratulations!!

[nucjd19]

Awesome Pic Blue Viking. We got another one in the Gelcoat mafia :) as I was told when I was driving mine around in Gelcoat. Love your User name!!! But maybe I am a bit partial to Viking Blue :)
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169841&d=1658542621

[GoDadGo]

Awesome Pic Blue Viking. We got another one in the Gelcoat mafia :) as I was told when I was driving mine around in Gelcoat. Love your User name!!! But maybe I am a bit partial to Viking Blue :)
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169841&d=1658542621

As You Should Be!

[Blue Viking]

Awesome Pic Blue Viking. We got another one in the Gelcoat mafia :) as I was told when I was driving mine around in Gelcoat. Love your User name!!! But maybe I am a bit partial to Viking Blue :)
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169841&d=1658542621

"Gelcoat mafia", good one. Great picture of your car. I've seen many different variants of Viking Blue on the internet, hard to get a correct representation online, but yours look really nice and correct. What paint/ colour code did you use?

[Blue Viking]

Congratulations!!
Thanks, a fantastic milestone for me!

[Blue Viking]

Thumbs up from the other side of the world ��

Thank you! This truly is a world wide community.

[Blue Viking]

Congratulations & We (The Entire Factory Five Family) Are Thrilled That Another Car Is Born!

People who haven't experience these cars don't know what they are missing.

Throttle House MK-4 Review:.. https://youtu.be/81OVZnHWd2A

You just need ear plugs to truly enjoy your car.

Thank you! Yes, earplugs are now on my shopping list. To be honest, I was kinda surprised, as the exhaust is quite mellow in idle. I have the Boig quiet pipes and one insert from Car Chemistry in the end of the headers, hopefully I'll pass the noise test...

[Blue Viking]

Gratulerer

Takker. Hope to get it inspected soon, been pushing since before summer. Are you in Norway now? We're going to Cape Coral in November.

[nucjd19]

Hey Blue. I will get you the code Tomorrow when I can get to my " touch up paint" left over. If you want I can send you a PM of the different look of the paint based on the light throughout the day to see the difference. One thing about Viking Blue is it is very dependent of the light around it.

[KDubU]

The PPG, Ditzler paint code for Viking Blue is 12494. It was a 1963 only color available on the regular Ford, Falcon and Fairlane models. It looks very different based on the light.

171676171677171678171679

[mburger]

That’s awesome! Congrats!

[nucjd19]

The PPG, Ditzler paint code for Viking Blue is 12494. It was a 1963 only color available on the regular Ford, Falcon and Fairlane models. It looks very different based on the light.

171676171677171678171679

Totally agree about the light. The bluest it looks is in the late afternoon and if the sky is over cast it definitely washes out to a lighter blue.

[Blue Viking]

Thanks for the pics, amazing how the colour changes. I am really looking forward to when i get it painted, hopefully next winter.

[Blue Viking]

That’s awesome! Congrats!

Thank you Mark!

[hineas]

You never forget your first time! Luckily, even after 4,500 miles I still can't wipe that grin from my face.

I love reading about the first drive.