MKIV on order but drawn to the 289 USRRC

[OB6]

I have a MKIV on order and I've got a pretty good build plan/vision, but I keep getting drawn to the 289 USRCC -- especially like builds like this one (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?34867-Please-graduate-9180) by Vspeeds... boy what a clean tasteful build.

Anyone else here get conflicted between the two?

172921

172922

[GTBradley]

Totally. Still am thinking about the 289 and its simpler/elegant lines. That's where I would definitely do 15" wheels.

[zee]

I struggled with it for along time. Ultimately, I got Smith's mechanical gauges and really like the exposed side pipes of 427. But hopefully one day, I can do a 289 as well.

[OB6]

Totally. Still am thinking about the 289 and its simpler/elegant lines. That's where I would definitely do 15" wheels.

I saw one with 17's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtStknQI5BE) and it looked pretty good, but I agree the 15's just go with it.

[RFracer]

I have a 289 car and love it. Had 2 427’s previously. Both were good cars small block donor engine builds. Either way you can’t go wrong.

[Chopper]

All the time! Although personally I could not bring myself to do dual roll bars on a 289. Yes, I know it's not original anyway, but something about that 289...just wants to look period. Same as the 15" wheels.

[GoDadGo]

I ordered my MK-4 on November 10th, 2014 and two weeks later Dave Smith posted this SEMA Video:

Master Builder FIA by: E.T.
https://youtu.be/GcJEprvVxiY

I don't regret building my MK-4; however, seeing the SEMA Video ate me up until my kit arrived.

First Time Builder MK4 by: GDG:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

My regret is I really want to build an FIA and a Daytona, but neither time nor money are on my side.

[AC Bill]

Love the 289 body. They can be built to look like a classic roadster, like John O's beautiful example, or along the lines of the Shelby Team race cars that made the Cobra's legendary. The added plus is there isn't thousands of them out there, like the SC style, so they are much more unique.
Another choice might be to build a 427 street model. No side pipes, scoop, roll bar, etc, full bumpers and hoops. Very elegant looking.


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172925

172931

[John289]

I went back and forth for awhile but ultimately decided on ordering the 289 FIA. If FFR offered a slab side with pin drive
wire wheels, rear exhaust and maybe a luggage rack option I may have gone that route. I really like the more classic British sports car look of the two.

[OB6]

Another choice might be to build a 427 street model. No side pipes, scoop, roll bar, etc, full bumpers and hoops. Very elegant looking.


Bill - this is where I will probably land. The roll bar (or lack thereof) will be an interesting discussion with my wife, but there's plenty of debate about risk of head contact vs rollover in a street car (and not a conversation for this thread).

[OB6]

I ordered my MK-4 on November 10th, 2014 and two weeks later Dave Smith posted this SEMA Video:

Master Builder FIA by: E.T.
https://youtu.be/GcJEprvVxiY

I don't regret building my MK-4; however, seeing the SEMA Video ate me up until my kit arrived.

First Time Builder MK4 by: GDG:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

My regret is I really want to build an FIA and a Daytona, but neither time nor money are on my side.

That's a good looking car. I like the clean look. I think I read that you shortened the roll bars... did you do that before that video was taken?

[Avalanche325]

Bill - this is where I will probably land. The roll bar (or lack thereof) will be an interesting discussion with my wife, but there's plenty of debate about risk of head contact vs rollover in a street car (and not a conversation for this thread).

I know you said not for this thread. But if your head contacts the roll bar, your neck is going to be about two feet long. So it won't matter at that point.

289 vs 427....that is a tough decision.

[OB6]

I know you said not for this thread. But if your head contacts the roll bar, your neck is going to be about two feet long. So it won't matter at that point.

289 vs 427....that is a tough decision.

Fair point. It's either no roll bar or two, and I'm not a big fan of the latter on the 289 (actually I don't think it's possible with the fuel filler).

[GoDadGo]

That's a good looking car. I like the clean look. I think I read that you shortened the roll bars... did you do that before that video was taken?

Yes, the roll bars were lowered by simply grinding the spot welds off of the mounting tubes.

I took this action for looks and so that the main hoops could sit directly on the frame as opposed to resting on the bolts and spot welds.... Taking this action only moved them down about 1.5" and it did make rear support leg look a tad off because of the angle change when the bars dropped down.

I also shortened the wheel base about .75" so the rear wheels are better centered within the rear wheel arches.

[Chainsaw]

No conflict on my end. I was hooked on the 289 when I saw it on the FFR site. No regrets with my choice.

[CraigS]

Not me. Skinny tires and narrow fenders do not appeal. I watched quite a few SCCA races in the 60s and the 427 was SO obviously the better faster car.