Value on MK1 kit?

[RonnieType65]

Just curious what you guys would value an untouched Mk1 kit at....

What are some differences that come with an older kit like that....pros? cons?

Thanks in advance for the info, I'll keep checking the thread.

[BS]

Hard to pin down the value without knowing exactly comes with the kit, but a couple things come to mind to consider.

The Mark I kits were priced lower than the present kits by several thousand dollars if I remember correctly. Also, parts, aluminum panels, and many other pieces unique to the Mark I kits are not available from Factory Five any more, so you would have to make your own or find someone who has these parts for sale if anything is missing or damaged.

If it were me and it is a base kit with no real extras, I would offer somewhere in the neighborhood of $6K -$7K for the kit if it is in good shape and complete. Extra parts like engine, rear differential, transmission, and other optional items must be considered on a piece by piece case and priced accordingly. To most guys, this is a great way to get into a Cobra kit cheaply.

Bob

[RonnieType65]

Its still on the pallets like it came from F5.

[michael everson]

I'm not interested until they are half of new. There's nothing wrong with the Mark1 kit. It doesn't compare to the other marks though. Some things that come to mind.
Bodies are much better now
No hood hinge
Exposed trunk hinges
Lousy door hinges
Early cars did not have any frame work in the transmission tunnel.

If you can get it for around $6000 you could build a cheap Cobra that will impress as much as the newer mark4
Mike

[DaleG]

Its still on the pallets like it came from F5.

How many of those are still around. Collector's item?

[michael everson]

I know of 2 in my area. One is untouched an the other isnt even at roller stage yet.
I am going to pick up an unstarted Spyder in a couople of week. Now thats a rare one.
Mike

[bil1024]

6k at the most

[RonnieType65]

Thank you for the price suggestions, now I know what to bargain for if it comes to the negotiating stage.

[Dan Babb]

Post up the kit number and pictures of the frame if you can get them. The MK1's went through a few changes before they officially launched the MK2...so people here can tell you some good info about the one you're looking at.

My first car was what many called an MK1.5. It had some of the footbox changes over an MK1...but didn't have the transmission tunnel bracing that was in the MK2 (which supposedly adds a lot to the overall stiffness of the frame). I remember seeing posts where guys were welding in that support at home...so it's possible if you have the skills.

One thing to consider is checking to see if an MK4 hood will fit that car. It's a lot nicer than what came on the MK1's.

[RonnieType65]

I will call FF to ask some of those questions. Maybe the hinges and hood are upgradeable. Also, another thought I had was that I don't think I will be able to use a 4.6 in a chassis that old. I assume its not going to be compatible with anything but the 302/351 without modifying the frame.

[Tom Mauldin]

Even putting a 351w in a Mark I requires modifying the driver footbox. I had to build a new inside and inside top panel to put a 351 in FFR1461 back in '98.

[RonnieType65]

Wow, after doing some more research there is just way too many updates between Mk1 and Mk4. The seller would have to offer the kit for $3-4k to make it worth it and give me room on the budget to update the frame to as close to Mk4 as I could get. Its just a headache waiting to happen....no go. :(

[michael everson]

Ronnie. There are at least several hundred mark ones out there. You can still build a great car on that platform. Sure it doesn't compare to the mark 4. Build it and sell it to finance a mark 4.
Mike