Open house - wasn't there supposed to be a big new product reveal?

[JohnK]

I thought I had heard it mentioned somewhere that there was going to be a big reveal of a new product at the open house. I haven't seen anything mentioned here or on social, so I'm guessing that didn't happen. Any idea when/if anything new is coming down the pipe, and when it will be revealed?

[John289]

They unveiled the 30th Anniversary Coupe with full carbon fiber body.

[Aleinsteingenius]

We had a great time at the open house. We really enjoyed getting to meet all the people we did and seeing all the great finished cars. I especially loved seeing Ron" (FFinisher)'s beautiful black Mark V. The fit and finish on that car and the speed with which he completed it gave me hope for my project214804214805214806214807

[Jeff Kleiner]

Finally revealing the CF bodied Coupe is kinda big news. Dave hinted at and did not deny guesses about another big product in the works.

John289 and Aliensteibgenius, great to meet you both!

Jeff

[Papa]

Have any of the 30th anniversary coupe buyers heard what the option cost for the carbon fiber body is yet?

[JohnK]

Agreed that the CF-bodied coupe is big news. Is the shape the same as what's been previously shipped, or is it a new scan/shape?

It's that "other new product" that I've heard rumors about that I thought was going to be announced at the open house. Guess we'll just have to hang on a bit more. :)

[John289]

Finally revealing the CF bodied Coupe is kinda big news. Dave hinted at and did not deny guesses about another big product in the works.

John289 and Aliensteibgenius, great to meet you both!

Jeff

Great meeting you as well Jeff, it’s nice when you meet someone you’ve read about for years!

[JTG]

I spoke with Dave Smith briefly and he quoted me some unofficial numbers that are dependent on tariffs. I don't want to repeat any of that since it's not final yet, but let's just say it's more than I can swing since there are still about a dozen or so Anniversary Coupes left. He also mentioned that they ordered (30) carbon bodies and not all the Anniversary orders will check that option so the remaining will be available to other Coupe owners / builders.

[edwardb]

I've heard some really round numbers about the C-F bodies as well. But remember the intent is that they don't need bodywork or paint. I've reserved judgement until I can see in person. But if truly the case, that can be a significant offset to the added cost. Paint prices are all over the map and the Coupe is definitely at the high end. I'm not in the market for another Coupe, but I would at least consider it if I were.

[Mad Dog]

Here's the video (Facebook Live) from the 30th Anniversary Coupe with the carbon fiber body unveiling during Open House:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIWa8Bsi6Dw

[Higgybulin]

Not sure of the cost but it sure looked slick!!
Higgy

[JTG]

I've heard some really round numbers about the C-F bodies as well. But remember the intent is that they don't need bodywork or paint. I've reserved judgement until I can see in person. But if truly the case, that can be a significant offset to the added cost. Paint prices are all over the map and the Coupe is definitely at the high end. I'm not in the market for another Coupe, but I would at least consider it if I were.

Your right, it would definitely be worth seeing in person before making the call, but to me the quality looked really high. There were a few seams like where the roof meets the A-Pillar where the weave doesn't match but that's just going to happen with the nature of the material and how it has to be formed.

I really wish it was in my budget, but even factoring in the cost of paint it's still a significant chunk more then the fiberglass body.

[GoDadGo]

Have any of the 30th anniversary coupe buyers heard what the option cost for the carbon fiber body is yet?

You Need The Carbon Fiber Body For Your Next Build Papa Dave!

[Papa]

You Need The Carbon Fiber Body For Your Next Build Papa Dave!

That ship has already sailed for me, Steve. I chose the regular kit over the 30th anniversary kit based on my build plans. I should have mine in July.

[q4stix]

Are there any close up pictures of the carbon body to show how the weave looks, how it lines up hood to body, and the splice regions? I've been debating some carbon work already but independent of that I'd like to see how well the new body looks

[Justin]

GT40 is coming. Dave didn't deny it. Start pinching them pennies boys!

[J R Jones]

Dave made a comment on scaling the next car, and critiques on GT40 replicas suggest cramped interiors.
Note the scale of our GT40 MKIV to Ford GTs below.
jim

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[edwardb]

Dave made a comment on scaling the next car, and critiques on GT40 replicas suggest cramped interiors.
Note the scale of our GT40 MKIV to Ford GTs below.
jim

214852

Don't assume anything until the details are released. Just saying...

[bil1024]

GT40 is coming. Dave didn't deny it. Start pinching them pennies boys!

Yep heard it myself

[J R Jones]

Don't assume anything until the details are released. Just saying...

Someone in the crowd shouted "GT 40", Dave said "I did not admit that". Kind of the 5th ammendment. Then "it wouldn't work unless it was scaled and you couldn't do that without CNC surfacing" after proclaiming FFR and their CNC surfacing resource. So maybe not GT40, maybe a bigger truck or a smaller 818.
Now that GT40 replicas have exhisted since the eighties and manufacturers are almost ubiquitous, maybe the market is saturated. There are more interesting cars to scale and it has not worked well on the Roadster.
I tracked and streeted the GT40 MKIV and while exciting, it was not pleasant; another definition of endurance car.
jim

[Higgybulin]

Are there any close up pictures of the carbon body to show how the weave looks, how it lines up hood to body, and the splice regions? I've been debating some carbon work already but independent of that I'd like to see how well the new body looks

Here's one...
214867
Higgy

[edwardb]

Someone in the crowd shouted "GT 40", Dave said "I did not admit that". Kind of the 5th ammendment. Then "it wouldn't work unless it was scaled and you couldn't do that without CNC surfacing" after proclaiming FFR and their CNC surfacing resource. So maybe not GT40, maybe a bigger truck or a smaller 818.
Now that GT40 replicas have exhisted since the eighties and manufacturers are almost ubiquitous, maybe the market is saturated. There are more interesting cars to scale and it has not worked well on the Roadster.
I tracked and streeted the GT40 MKIV and while exciting, it was not pleasant; another definition of endurance car.
jim

I'm well aware of what was said (and not said...) at the open house. Dave will give full details when he's ready. In the meantime same response as before: Don't assume anything.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Are there any close up pictures of the carbon body to show how the weave looks, how it lines up hood to body, and the splice regions? I've been debating some carbon work already but independent of that I'd like to see how well the new body looks

Here are a couple of shots of the body as delivered that show the panel gaps, matchup between panels and splice. I was especially impressed with the matchup splice down the center of the nose which comes to a nice sharp matched "V". Body arrived with a matte finish; as shown at the Open House it was sprayed with a semi gloss clear and vinyl stripes and roundels.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214870&d=1749560479

This butt splice on the nose right in line with the vent opening is the most apparent on the whole body. The others you really have to make an effort to find.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214872&d=1749560556

Cost has been mentioned. I've heard the estimated ranges and if it actually winds up on the low end it is not really much of a premium over body prep and paint (for a Coupe I charge a flat 12K for labor plus materials which will run 3,000 at a minimum). Of course this assumes that it is left in the matte finish, if you put a clear or color tinted clear on the CF that has to be factored.

Jeff

214870 214871214872

[Jphoenix]

Any discussion of the weight of the CF body vs. the fiberglass? If it's all CF layers throughout, it should be comparatively light - and stiff.

[PNWTim]

Here are a couple of shots of the body as delivered that show the panel gaps, matchup between panels and splice. I was especially impressed with the matchup splice down the center of the nose which comes to a nice sharp matched "V". Body arrived with a matte finish; as shown at the Open House it was sprayed with a semi gloss clear and vinyl stripes and roundels.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214870&d=1749560479

This butt splice on the nose right in line with the vent opening is the most apparent on the whole body. The others you really have to make an effort to find.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214872&d=1749560556

Cost has been mentioned. I've heard the estimated ranges and if it actually winds up on the low end it is not really much of a premium over body prep and paint (for a Coupe I charge a flat 12K for labor plus materials which will run 3,000 at a minimum). Of course this assumes that it is left in the matte finish, if you put a clear or color tinted clear on the CF that has to be factored.

Jeff

214870 214871214872

All I can say is it's pretty neat looking.

[Papa]

I'm curios to see more pictures of the dash. It looks like there is a CF molded dash?

[edwardb]

I'm curios to see more pictures of the dash. It looks like there is a CF molded dash?

Screen grab from the unveiling video. Looks nice.

214873

[Papa]

Screen grab from the unveiling video. Looks nice.

214873

That's a nice touch! I wonder if FFR will offer that as an option for all the coupes?

[JTG]

I took this picture of the dash at the unveiling, and it was the same high quality as the bodywork.
I don't love the gauge layout, but still really nice.

214874

[q4stix]

Here are a couple of shots of the body as delivered that show the panel gaps, matchup between panels and splice. I was especially impressed with the matchup splice down the center of the nose which comes to a nice sharp matched "V". Body arrived with a matte finish; as shown at the Open House it was sprayed with a semi gloss clear and vinyl stripes and roundels.

...

This butt splice on the nose right in line with the vent opening is the most apparent on the whole body. The others you really have to make an effort to find.

...

Jeff



Thanks Jeff! That covers what I was wondering. I noticed the splice on the side so that made me wonder about the rest of the body. The shape and transitions all look great and I can see tons of time savings compared to my early Gen 3 body. The fact that the weave looks to match up going across the panels makes it feel higher end.

-Matt

[FFinisher]

I took this picture of the dash at the unveiling, and it was the same high quality as the bodywork.
I don't love the gauge layout, but still really nice.

214874

FYI- I built that car. Jeff’s photos are in my garage.

The gauge layout was my doing. I would do it differently as well. I had one shot.😊 the gauge panel is not drilled so you can do it however you like. I would move the gauges up and maybe move on of them out of the gauge panel
Onto the dash itself.

[Higgybulin]

I took this picture of the dash at the unveiling, and it was the same high quality as the bodywork.
I don't love the gauge layout, but still really nice.

214874

I looked at this pic and did a double take! Hey that's me!
Higgy
214912

[JTG]

FYI- I built that car. Jeff’s photos are in my garage.

The gauge layout was my doing. I would do it differently as well. I had one shot.😊 the gauge panel is not drilled so you can do it however you like. I would move the gauges up and maybe move on of them out of the gauge panel
Onto the dash itself.

Really nice work on the car!! And no offense meant on the gauges, just not my preference :)

[GT-SK]

I remember a couple of years ago that Dave was talking about wanting to do a Stratos too. Still just speculation!