New member from KY, non FFR owner

[DFlannery]

Hey all!! My name is Dustin Flannery. Im a police officer/firefighter/EMT at the Louisville International Airport. I currently own a 2009 Corvette Z06 and a 2012 VW Tiguan. I used to own an all original 1967 mustang GT fastback with a 390. I restored it from ground up so i know a little bit about restoration and such. I love working on cars, cruising in cars, talking about cars, learning about cars etc.

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt301/scubaman910/08860c6b.jpg

Before restoration
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt301/scubaman910/mustang/mustang040.jpg

After restoration
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt301/scubaman910/mustang/mustang002.jpg

I decided to join because i have recently become very interested in a cobra replica. Driving around the airport i see many nice cars sitting in the some of the corporate hangars and i get to talk to the owners. Not too long ago i came across a superformance 460 cobra. Very nice ride!! so i decided to check these rides out. After searching the internet i found FFR. and i love the fact everything is made in the USA!! God Bless Our Troops!!

Long story short i am very interested in a replica...and heres a little more info about what im looking at.

If i did a replica i would have to sell my vette. I know this community is going to be biased but i would really like to know what you all think. Is a replica worth buying/building over my C6 Z06? I cant afford both.

I like the replicas because they are made with and include modern performance, technology, etc. I want to be able to go out into the garage start it up, drive it, thrash it (if need be) and return it to the garage and it still be in tip top shape (no leaks or problems). I kind of want to mix the new technology/performance of my vette while having the looks of a vintage car like my mustang. Its going to be more of a weekend cruiser but i want the badass street performance of my vette. I only have put 11,000 miles on my vette in 3 years.

Next cost is always a question. I know i can get crazy expensive with replicas but i want a car that im not afraid to drive. I dont want a trailer queen. I need the cost to be around the ballpark of my vette when i sell it, + or - a little.

Im interested in putting in a 427 with a manual tranny.

I have a garage with some pretty nice tools/air tools etc...but i cant weld and dont have any tools/machines for fabrication so i was hoping the complete kit could help me there.

I have a lot more questions but ill ask them as the need arises but this should be a good start. Ive done a little research on here but im still looking...so dont hound me on asking questions that are commonly posted please.

Anyways its great to meet everyone and ill hopefully be hearing from some of you guys.

[skullandbones]

Hello and welcome to the forum, Dustin.

It's good to see another hotrodder torn between Chevys and Fords. By the way, really nice Z06. I got to hear a real 427 at the Barrett Jackson. They definitely have a distinctive tone. Hope to hear of your plans when you pull the trigger. If you get an FFR you won't go wrong. Good luck! WEK.

[NicksPapaw]

Welcome to the fun Dustin. First off, you don't need to be able to weld anything. As for fabrication stuff, I bought a cheap Harbor Freight metal brake to bend some aluminum panels for some minor mods on my car. Absolutely not necessary, but, it is fun to mess around with ideas while you are building. If you restored your car from the ground up, you have more than enough ability to build your own car. I had never done anything on one before, and mine is fantastic. As to valuation of your current toys vs. a completed FFR, I can't help you there. Don't really know what your car is worth. If you have an idea, shoot me a PM and we can talk about where you would land financially. If I can be of help, let me know. Nice cop cars you got there. :) Looks like the bad guys don't have a chance in your town. Again, Welcome.

[riptide motorsport]

Welcome!! yes you can build it for the same money as you Z06.......it will never be a s refined or civil as the vette unfortunately......just the way it is......After time with mine I'd trade it for the Z06.......Steven

[DFlannery]

Thanks for the great replies!!

As far as chevy vs ford...i dont care what brand it is as long as it looks good and performs well.

I totally understand the nature of the beast. I've never driven or ridden in one but i know they are not as refined as the vette. But thats what i realized i want in a car. I want it loud, mean, and my neighbors to hate me ha! i only drive my sport car on the weekends so refinement is the least of my worries. sunshine cruisers, garage queens.

Currently the vette is worth about 53k private sold and this is where id like to keep the budget. I said i would like a 427 but i am also interested in the new coyote 5.0.

[DFlannery]

BTW i entered the power block tv FFR contest ;)

[riptide motorsport]

"It's loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every ten minutes. It's so damn wonderful you can’t believe it." -Automobile Mag. Oct. '04

[Bob Cowan]

You're in the right place.

The first thing to recognize is that a Corvette and a Cobra are worlds apart. They're nothing alike. A cobra is loud, obnoxious, a handfull to drive, and stupid fast. If possible, get a track ride in a corvette and then in a cobra on the same day at the same track. Find you local NASA group. Many people there are pretty happy to give people rides.

The London Cobra Show is coming up pretty soon. Nows' your chance to look at Hundreds of Cobras and related cars all in one day. Take lots of pictures, take notes, try not to drool too much. http://londoncobrashow.com/Default.aspx?pt=LCSHome

I won't say a FFR is "easy" to build. But there's very few special tools needed, and no fab skills required. Unless you read this board often. Then you'll see way too many cool ideas, spend way too much money, and attempt a lot of new fab skills ;)

[Crawleyscobra]

Hey Dustin, Welcome Aboard…

Sounds like you have all the skills you need to build a Factory Five. No welding is necessary, which was one of the first questions I asked too. I chose a Factory Five because there is a larger knowledge base for these cars (two forums) and a larger aftermarket product selection (Custom FF parts) available.

As for cost… That can range from 35K to 75K… It all depends on what you put into the kit. The latest version of the FF Roadster (MK IV) is a great kit.

I live in the Louisville area and I am currently building a Factory Five Roadster (MK 3.1). Take a look at my build site to get an idea of what is involved in a FF build.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me with your phone number and I’ll try to answer any question you might have. If I don’t know the answer, I can direct you to someone who does…

[MPTech]

I think we're all biased on this forum (we wouldn't be here otherwise! :cool:)

I researched and saved for my Roadster for 2 years, before placing my order and haven't regretted the decision yet. My kit arrived April of last year and so far I couldn't be happier with the quality and support I've received (from FFR, the forums, and my local club).

If you can find a couple guys currently in the build process, ask them if you can see their build in-person, and I think you'll be hooked!
I don't know the extent of your Mustang restoration (looked pretty good in the "before" pictures), but if you can tackle that, I think the FFR will be a piece of cake. If you build it by-the-book, you'll finish it in no time and at a reasonable cost. Hang around here long and we'll help you spend your money and consume all of you available time! :D
There are some truely great mods and ideas here!

Here's my build plan for starters: MPTech build plan revision 9 and counting (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/264052-mptech-build-plan-revision-9-counting.html)
documenting your build plan is a good way to start.


Good luck.

[gtaroger]

Welcome! That's one fine Corvett. The 67 is very nice. I had a 67 GTA that I owned for quit a few years. I love it, but sold it to build my roadster.I would do it all over again.Love the raw feel of the roadster.The performance is pretty good for just a mild 5.0. Roger