Please Graduate FFR #6558

[Smada001]

I've decided to finally graduate my wife's car. After going through my shakedown and turning 600mi on the car this past week, I've decided it's time for me to graduate FFR #6558. And yes, you read correctly. This is my wife's car. Granted I am the one that mostly drives it, but I built it for her as a thank you for all the extra duties and more she's had to deal with since I tweaked my leg overseas. There are a few more things I'd like to add (running an oil cooler, mesh covers for front openings, wheel well liners, etc), but for the most part she's 'done'. Well as done as they ever get, heh.

When building one of these beasts, there's generally an initial decision to be made. Do I go for a classic look, or a more modern look. I opted for the cleaner more modern look. I do love the beastly stance of 15s on many roadsters, but I'm please with how #6558 turned out.

Details:
3.1 Complete Kit, 3 link
Crate 392 (438hp on dyno by Wayne Presley at VCP) with Vic Jr intake
Mass-Flo EFI
TKO600 Dual disk clutch from Spec Clutch
3.55 gears
Factory Five 17" Halibrand wheels
Bodywork and paint (Corvette Green w/ Marbelized stripes) by Cliff Mount here in N. Al.
Titled as a 1965

Extras:
Carbon Fiber Dash
Carbon Fiber Spats
Duck Clutch Hand control shifter (Made by Guidosimplex)
Koolmat insulation
Canton overflow tank
CNC brake reserviors
fire extinguisher (both cockpit and trunk)
Breeze radiator support
Herb's Carbon Fiber door panels
Chromed rollbar
Breeze fan shroud
Front bumper grommets
********** Louvers
Radiator Protective mesh (.5" spaced out)
hidden body mounts
Front and rear bumpers
Body undercoated w/ bed liner
Guard Dawg Keyless ign system
Battery Kill switch in trunk
E-brake on top trans tunnel
Driver side seat track/slide
Snap-less tonneau cover
Remote Battery Terminals
Driver's side footbox access panel
Dark Water Custom Trunk storage boxes
Dark Water Custom Glove box
Dark Water Custom Battery drop box

The two mods that stand out the most are a clutch shifting system I use (made necessary from losing my leg overseas), and the marbelized stripes that my friend/painter suggested. We thought the stripes would stand out more, but the almost 'ghosted' appearance has really grown on me and my wife.

Here's a link for the thread for the hand control that allowed me the ability to stay with a manual trans which I am extremely thankful for: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/272328-clutch-fun.html

As most have said before, I'll say again...... This build would not have been possible w/o the support of both the FFCars forum and the FactoryFive Forum. That includes wonderful forum vendors such as Herb, Wayne Presley at Very Cool Parts, Mass-Flo, Breeze, Dark Water Customs, Forte, etc. Thanks to all of them for the willingness of taking time out of their day to answer all questions large and small (thinking of y'all Mike and Steve). Thanks go out to Factory Five as well for their customer support on any and all things. I'd especially like to thank the members of the N. Alabama Cobra Club who treat all builds as a community build and help out more than can be expressed.

The pictures (w/ exception of the trunk done in go-cart) were taken this past weekend during a car show. We lucked out and placed first in our class. It was overcast so there aren't any good shots of the green paint in the sun. I'll try to post some later. Sometimes the overcast shots come out the best.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7987/graduation1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/graduation1.jpg/)

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4214/graduation8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/204/graduation8.jpg/)

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9220/graduation5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/252/graduation5.jpg/)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3438/graduation2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/205/graduation2.jpg/)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3393/graduation6.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/graduation6.jpg/)

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5760/graduation7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/graduation7.jpg/)

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2161/graduation3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/818/graduation3.jpg/)

[Smada001]

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4315/graduation9.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/graduation9.jpg/)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1879/graduation4.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/140/graduation4.jpg/)

Many compile a documentary, scrapbook, or build site through the process of their build, but my only documentation of my build was a nice tally sheet of frosty beverages drank while working on the car. It is missing a dozen or two that were not marked during time at the body shop however.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/1346/graduation10.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/641/graduation10.jpg/)

[LuckyWinner]

Congrats on the complete car, its beautiful! Also from one serviceman to another, thank you for your service!(someones got to do it...it might as well be us)

[MVRight]

Right, the beer count! Congrats on the build!

[riptide motorsport]

Looks great....congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NicksPapaw]

First, thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country. Second, WOW....... what a beautiful car. You have to be proud of what you did. Lastly, you "TWEAKED" your leg???? You crack me up. Gotta love a great sense of humor. And your wife sounds like a keeper also. :)

[dallas_]

VERY nice!
I especially like the stripes. Did he pull saran wrap or something across the paint to make it look like that? I'd like to know more about the process. It really makes your car stand out.
Really nicely done. Good work.

[Smada001]

Thanks for all the comments and kind words. And thanks Lucky for your service as well.

Dallas, the method for the stripes was as you figured. He painted the car green and then taped out the stripes. He sprayed one coat of the silver and then used a saran wrap or other thin plastic and the scrunched it up. We thought the silver would be a bright 'standard' silver just w/ the marbelized design, but it came out more subdued and much lighter since it was just one coat. The subdued and almost ghosted look has really grown on us and I'm glad it came out the way it did.

Here's another picture that shows the stance and ride height a little better. I'd prefer the look of 15" wheels, but I'm happy with the 17" wheels. That's something that can always be changed later.

Notice how the reflection on the side of the body and door are lined up and straight. My body work guy did an amazing job.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1286/carshowadjusted.jpg