Project 818 - General Info

[Sally Bean]

Hi Everyone,

If you send an email to either custserv@factoryfive.com OR info@factoryfive.com it comes to me and over the past few weeks I've seen an increase in emails from people wondering what the status is on Project 818.

At this point in time, I've only got two pieces of information that I can share. First, we are planning on unveiling the finished vehicle at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas and then we are planning on having the kits available for purchase the first half of 2013. Once SEMA is over, I'm sure we'll be releasing more and more information for the public but up until then progress is being made daily and we are all very excited knowing that the finished product is going to be the coolest project yet!!

Thanks for your patience.

Sally at FFR

[shinn497]

Thanks sally! This is a good sign that this project will be big!

[Gary in NJ]

Thanks for the update Sally. I'm looking forward to the SEMA release.

[Mechie3]

First half of 2013?

That's good and bad.

Good: I can work on my Fmod this winter
Bad: My 818 won't be done in time for spring.

[metalmaker12]

First half of 2013?

That's good and bad.

Good: I can work on my Fmod this winter
Bad: My 818 won't be done in time for spring.


I hope it is in full production march/april.

[riptide motorsport]

Always love seeing your avitaar Sally!:D

[NicksPapaw]

Sally, you are such a tease..........:) Thanks for the update.

[Niburu]

So are we going to see a new round of promotional DVD's from Factory 5 Racing featuring the 818?


Pleeease.....they're some of my favorite car porn.

[WIS89]

Sally-

Thanks for the update. Do you know if FF will be doing any posts from SEMA with pictures and such?

Or, if there is already a set of pictures ready to go up here on the forum or website once SEMA begins?

Just curious, because I am stoked to see the 818 ready to go!!

Thanks!

Regards,

Steve

[Highway Star]

I've seen the topic of trailer hitches for the 818 come up several times but haven't seen anything definitive about it. I have two reasons for wanting to see it as an option. First is for a light duty trailer to carry tires, the second is for a hitch mounted bike rack.

It the possibility of a trailer hitch a yes, no, or TBD?

[Ray]

I've seen the topic of trailer hitches for the 818 come up several times but haven't seen anything definitive about it. I have two reasons for wanting to see it as an option. First is for a light duty trailer to carry tires, the second is for a hitch mounted bike rack.

It the possibility of a trailer hitch a yes, no, or TBD?

Based on FFR's other offerings, I would not expect to see a trailer hitch included in the design. That being said, lots of builders have added hitches to the frames of the Roadsters in order to pull a small trailer to the track etc. I'm sure that a search will pull up some information. It's nothing that a supply of tubing, some time and a MIG couldn't fix.

Ray

PS: Scroll through this thread: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/240259-trailer-hitch.html

[skullandbones]

That's an interesting question about the hitch. I think a lot of people think you can install a hitch on anything. Not necessarily. I wonder if the exhaust system that is being developed will accomodate a hitch straightforwardly? I was going to install one on the Rav 4 and found a muffler positioned in such a way that it will require some "engineering" to make it happen. So I don't know if the final exhaust on the 818 will get in the way. Just as mentioned above: nothing a some tubing, a welder, and a little imagination won't fix.

[Racebrewer]

Most trailer hitch shops that have been around a while can probably do it easily. Especially if you have a small trailer in mind.

John

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Will the 818R (race version) be able to be registered and driven on the street. I wonder because of the lack of a windshield and wipers.
Bob

[Highway Star]

Thanks. I have no doubt that I could work out a receiver for the 818 but was hoping that there would be a factory solution.

BTW: Thanks for the link to the ffcars site. I hadn't discovered that.

[PhyrraM]

All versions of the 818 frame that have been shown so far have no structural members behind the rear wheel centerline (because they are not needed). The ONLY thing I have seen that far back on the frame is the support for the rear of the transmission, and that can be fairly light weight as there is only a bit of rotational force to counter.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

12049Here is a picture of the rear of the 818 frame (not the final version) not much for a trailer hitch.

[flynntuna]

Thanks Sally, will we see the 818 at Huntington Beach next year?

[flynntuna]

I've seen the topic of trailer hitches for the 818 come up several times but haven't seen anything definitive about it. I have two reasons for wanting to see it as an option. First is for a light duty trailer to carry tires, the second is for a hitch mounted bike rack.

It the possibility of a trailer hitch a yes, no, or TBD?

The way the frame is layed out, a traditional hitch probably won't work without adding a lot of steel. How about a 5th wheel type layout, with the ball centered in the rear hatch. It would require body mods to the hatch, removable louvers or something, and trailer mods. the trailer would have to be light, I'd guess less than 500 lbs.

[Oppenheimer]

Good idea, although won't accomodate the bicycle scenario he also mentioned.

Folding bicycle? Not sure how to accomodate this. Do you really want to drive your 818 all sweaty from a bike ride?

[BipDBo]

I won't be intested in a trailer hitch. If you're taking it to the track, you probably won't want the weight of the extra steel for a hitch. Also, with extra tires, you'll probably also want some tools, drinks, and who knows what else. In this case, it probably makes more sense to trailer the 818 behind another vehicle. Admittedly, I'm talking out of my rearabout this because I know very little about that scene.

I'd be more interested in figuring out a roof rack. I'm interested in the 818 as a daily driver. A roof rack would get my windsurfing equipment to the beach. Another reason I'll be waiting for the coupe.

[Highway Star]

Good idea, although won't accomodate the bicycle scenario he also mentioned.

Folding bicycle? Not sure how to accomodate this. Do you really want to drive your 818 all sweaty from a bike ride?

I've been just as sweaty after a day of autocross in the hot Carolina sun. As for a folding bike, that would be like putting all-seasons on an 818. Sure it will work, but it won't be fun.

We'll just have to wait until we have the chassis in hand to see what can be done.