TboneWilliams
09-28-2025, 08:59 AM
Howdy all!
I am the new proud owner of a previously built FFR MK3 that I recently purchased. I am a life-long hot rodder and have owned dozens of cars (even more vintage bikes) over the years, Tri-Five Chevys, Impalas, old pickups, '64 Corvette, as well as Triumph Tr3, 4 and 6's, and many, many others. Currently I own a '67 Ford Bronco (good for the winters out here), a 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup and now this FFR MK3 Cobra. I was in the middle of restoring a '57 Chevy 2 Door Hardtop when my wife agreed to let me sell that project to fund the purchase of a completed car. I just turned 60 and was able to recently retire, so this was a retirement present to myself and to also allow me to spend more time with my two teenage boys. Time in my shop is time away from them and the '57 was eating too much of it.
After looking at many cars, old Corvette coupes, Tri-Fives, Hot Rods, and many Cobras from various suppliers, I decided to buy a Cobra. Since I first saw Gumball rally as a kid in the movie theaters, I have been a life long Cobra fan. I have followed FFR for a long time, and have always admired FFR's build your own, made in America philosophy. But, at this point in my life I was looking to avoid having to do major work in the shop, so I opted for a previously owned, already built car and found one in my original home town of Kansas City that was built with all of the components that I would have chosen, and was built with a high attention to detail.
So I struck a deal and booked some flights. First, I needed to visit an old friend in Austin to help him get his '34 Dodge hot rod pickup on the road. So I spent a week down there wrenching on it. Then from Austin, I flew to KC to visit with my Mom and pick up the Cobra. After a few days, I drove the car to the west side of KC to spend some time with some old friends. I was able to get the car up on my buddy's lift and really look it over and inspect everything for my drive to Steamboat Springs. The car is gorgeous but even more impressive underneath! I just love FFR's chassis.
I took off at dawn from KC and was in Steamboat Springs 13 hours later. The car drove flawlessly and was just humming at 75 to 80 mph all the way. West of Denver the scenery became epic. Our fall colors were coming alive and let me tell you, these cars are MADE for mountain roads! That's one of the main reasons I bought it. I have access to some epic drives here in NW Colorado and wanted a car that could really shine on these twisty mountain roads and at the same time offer spectacular views from the cockpit! The Cobra really was the perfect car for me and I was able to purchase it at a price within my budget. I couldn't be happier.
My Cobra was purchased by its original owner in 2005 and finished in 2007. It had a cosmetic face lift by it's second owner in 2017 including the engine bay and also had a professional engine tune at that time. As stated, this is a FFR MK3 with a high performance Ford 351W (Aluminum heads, 10:1 Comp, Edelbrock Air Gap, Crane 274 110 cam, Demon carb and MSD ignition, engine is mated to a rebuilt and strengthened where possible T5 transmission, this car also has FFR's Ford 8.8 independent rear end and upgraded suspension throughout, and features an FFR aluminum fuel tank. It is powerful, loud, handles like it's on rails and everything I was looking for in a Cobra replica!
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and my car. Some of you may recognize this car. I do have extensive documentation of the build and all of the components, which will be helpful moving forward. I have adressed some very minor things and will be making a few changes to better suit me, steering wheel, gauges, etc. Cobras rule!
I am the new proud owner of a previously built FFR MK3 that I recently purchased. I am a life-long hot rodder and have owned dozens of cars (even more vintage bikes) over the years, Tri-Five Chevys, Impalas, old pickups, '64 Corvette, as well as Triumph Tr3, 4 and 6's, and many, many others. Currently I own a '67 Ford Bronco (good for the winters out here), a 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup and now this FFR MK3 Cobra. I was in the middle of restoring a '57 Chevy 2 Door Hardtop when my wife agreed to let me sell that project to fund the purchase of a completed car. I just turned 60 and was able to recently retire, so this was a retirement present to myself and to also allow me to spend more time with my two teenage boys. Time in my shop is time away from them and the '57 was eating too much of it.
After looking at many cars, old Corvette coupes, Tri-Fives, Hot Rods, and many Cobras from various suppliers, I decided to buy a Cobra. Since I first saw Gumball rally as a kid in the movie theaters, I have been a life long Cobra fan. I have followed FFR for a long time, and have always admired FFR's build your own, made in America philosophy. But, at this point in my life I was looking to avoid having to do major work in the shop, so I opted for a previously owned, already built car and found one in my original home town of Kansas City that was built with all of the components that I would have chosen, and was built with a high attention to detail.
So I struck a deal and booked some flights. First, I needed to visit an old friend in Austin to help him get his '34 Dodge hot rod pickup on the road. So I spent a week down there wrenching on it. Then from Austin, I flew to KC to visit with my Mom and pick up the Cobra. After a few days, I drove the car to the west side of KC to spend some time with some old friends. I was able to get the car up on my buddy's lift and really look it over and inspect everything for my drive to Steamboat Springs. The car is gorgeous but even more impressive underneath! I just love FFR's chassis.
I took off at dawn from KC and was in Steamboat Springs 13 hours later. The car drove flawlessly and was just humming at 75 to 80 mph all the way. West of Denver the scenery became epic. Our fall colors were coming alive and let me tell you, these cars are MADE for mountain roads! That's one of the main reasons I bought it. I have access to some epic drives here in NW Colorado and wanted a car that could really shine on these twisty mountain roads and at the same time offer spectacular views from the cockpit! The Cobra really was the perfect car for me and I was able to purchase it at a price within my budget. I couldn't be happier.
My Cobra was purchased by its original owner in 2005 and finished in 2007. It had a cosmetic face lift by it's second owner in 2017 including the engine bay and also had a professional engine tune at that time. As stated, this is a FFR MK3 with a high performance Ford 351W (Aluminum heads, 10:1 Comp, Edelbrock Air Gap, Crane 274 110 cam, Demon carb and MSD ignition, engine is mated to a rebuilt and strengthened where possible T5 transmission, this car also has FFR's Ford 8.8 independent rear end and upgraded suspension throughout, and features an FFR aluminum fuel tank. It is powerful, loud, handles like it's on rails and everything I was looking for in a Cobra replica!
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and my car. Some of you may recognize this car. I do have extensive documentation of the build and all of the components, which will be helpful moving forward. I have adressed some very minor things and will be making a few changes to better suit me, steering wheel, gauges, etc. Cobras rule!