New Member Here

[JK 23112]

Hello and good day, people!! I just joined this forum today. I have never built or even owned a "kit car" before and don't have the skills/knowledge to build one myself - but it is something that I am considering in the future. I love the "AC Cobra" style roadster - and truly crave the old days of real road feel when driving (no power steering, dry clutch, no traction control, no ABS, etc.) that you cannot get in any modern car sold by a traditional dealership.

So many questions that I don't know where to begin. Insurance? Titling? Registration? Emissions controls required? Maintenance? Warranties? How do you handle an unexpected rainstorm? Are there any decent shops who are trustworthy to be hired for building such a car? I could probably think of a thousand more questions - so I'm going to lurk in this forum a while to read what others have said.

Just going by what little I know about these cars, a "mild" Ford OHV V8 - around 350 bhp - hooked to a five-speed manual transmission would be far more than powerful enough to get into trouble with such a lightweight car. I have owned four Mustang GT coupes during my life + my wife and I have had two Corvette Stingray coupes. A Factory Five roadster is certainly a different animal altogether.

Thanks for approving my membership on this forum!

[CaptB]

Google factory five forum with question X. You'll see a lot of history that's been discussed. Good luck.

[egchewy79]

welcome. many of your questions have been answered multiple times over on the forum. as captb described, you're best off googling your question w/ "factory five forum" attached. the inherent search engine on this forum page leaves a lot to be desired. Seek out someone in your region who might be building and ask if you can swing by to check things out. I've had several builders come over to take a look at my project.
Good luck.

[rthomas98]

Hello and welcome. I highly recommend given your experience level you look into going to the build school. They will walk you through building the car from beginning to end and answer all your questions.

https://www.factoryfive.com/build-school/

[GoDadGo]

Order the manual, preferably the paper version, then read it at least three (3) times.
It will make you very familiar with all of the components of your new car.
In the interim, watch the attached MK-4 assembly videos:

https://youtu.be/NnJdjMKDC_g

https://youtu.be/QokuC-jzLK8

https://youtu.be/oBJ5dKLrhoU

https://youtu.be/B5zGnHExZuA

https://youtu.be/iT_YYcffxTY

https://youtu.be/BHA_zGXUtok

https://youtu.be/H_n5ZJJHrjE

https://youtu.be/CNjDsEbqJVk

https://youtu.be/ybGdqmVyDV4

https://youtu.be/S4QwcS8uT2s

https://youtu.be/qbfxy5nSGY0

https://youtu.be/tZ7SXfdIXzM

https://youtu.be/L46MJmvJQv0

Hope This Helps, Welcome Aboard & Good Luck!

Steve

[Jrmotorsports55]

Welcome! Best of luck with your decision.

[JK 23112]

Thanks for the replies! Any move I make regarding one of these cars is a ways off yet. Lots of ground to cover between now and then, but I seek to make an informed decision when the time comes.