[Russ Gelberg]

I am near mounting my body on my roadster. Stock 5.0 with minor upgrades. Runs great. Should be an awesome daily driver. Should go to paint in a few weeks. Then it happened!

On friday I went to a local car get-together. probably 150 cars being shown. In fact, one of the most awesome rods I ever saw was there. Just amazing. I think there were 7 or 8 cobra replica's. There was a 427 side-oiler, a 500+ aluminum monster, a buick turbo and several other gorgeous cars and engines. I'm very proud of my car. Damn, I built it. How cool is that! But They sure did look good. Save me, please. It sure would be easy to stray from my plan and spend serious $$$ to improve performance and looks on the engine. But I'm building a daily driver. Could I open my hood and show the stock 5.0L there?

I'm building a daily driver, I'm building a daily driver. I'm building a daily driver, I'm building a daily driver. I'm building a daily driver, I'm building a daily driver. I'm building a daily driver, I'm building a daily driver.

Russ 3048

[ June 04, 2002, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Russ 3048 ]

 

[WingnuT]

I feel your pain. I have been working on my Mustang for years and have the same issues when going to car shows. Now I am selling my stang for an FFR kit and am sure it will be the same old issue all over again.

I will be building a daily driver too, so don't fret, we will just have to hang out together when they are finished.

 

[Jack ffr1846]

Russ,

Don't feel bad. I too have a daily driver Cobra with a very pedestrian explorer engine and mustang FI. When I go to shows, I park the Cobra, get my boy (6 in July) out and go look at all the other cars. Come back with food and use the trunk floor as a table. I leave the hood closed. Almost every time, someone comes and looks and starts asking questions. From the questions, I can tell that they know a lot about FFR already. Usually they are the only ones who ask if they can see under the hood. And for them, they want to see how things fit and go together. Sure, it would be great for looks to have a BB and dual carb set up, but I would quickly tire of it if it didn't run perfectly all the time. Turn the key and it starts, runs and gets 22mpg.

I've got a Cobra...what do I have to complain about?

 

[Gary Evans]

I am there too, there will always be a nicer car at the shows and at cobra get togethers, but luckily we built these cars for ourselves and thats where the enjoyment comes through for me, knowing I built it, and that everybody that looks at it loves it. I get a kick out of the little kids comments also they really like it. I can't wait to get the thing on the road! plates should be coming soon! that will probably be even better driving the cobra around.

 

[Klayfish]

Russ,
That's easy. First and foremost (at least for me), I don't let it bother me what everyone else has. I have no problem admitting I couldn't afford a big block car. But I say several different things to people who ask about it.
1. Most of the original Cobras were not big blocks, and had engines smaller than the 302.

2. The car only weighs around 2300 lbs, so the 302 has NO problem pushing it around.

3. There is nothing wrong with the 302 engine. It's reliable, cheap parts and easy to squeeze power out of.

Sure there are some people who think only the big block cars are great, but many of those same people are the ones who say "Oh, it's just a KIT car". Whatever.

There's no embarassement in taking the hood off. The 302 can still look great.

I was at a car show yesterday, and there were three of us there. My car is a Jasper HO 302 with the Cobra dress up kit. One of the other cars had a ZZ4 GM 350 in it, the third had a Ford Racing built 514. I honestly heard many people who pointed to my car and said they liked it the best. Also, my car and the GM 350 got trophies, and the 514 did not. And I'm not at all knocking the 514 car, I thought it was absolutely beautiful and the owner should be very proud of it. But I'm just as proud of my little 302.

Steve

 

[David G]

Saw a great little 289 replica a few days ago. This nice old guy was leading a motorhome back to his place and I just couldn't help getting out and saying "hi"

He's the third owner, car was completed in 92. Very nice. Lots of original parts, but not a lot of chrome under the hood.

Know what it looks like to me? A LOT OF FUN to own and drive. No worries from him, he was driving it down to the local all Ford show last weekend.

The moral? Build the car as nice as YOU want it. Go to the shows and have a good time. Everyone there knows the difference between a trailer queen and a car you're not afraid to drive across the country.

IMHO, EVERYONE who puts in all the hours needed to build one of these FFRs deserves to stand tall at a car show. (This includes all you guys and gals who bought them completed, it was built by someone who put a lot of time in it.) Everyone's car is a one of a kind.

 

[Racerdon]

Russ, I learned something years ago as track announcer at 2 local drag strips. Every car that comes to the starting line is just as beautiful as the next and the owner has worked just as hard as the next to get his car to the way you see it. Remember that you own a COBRA that few people will never be able to sit in let alone own or drive and be part of the COBRA family of friends. Because you built it or had it built doesn't change that either. BE PROUD! Don

 

[teamfour]

I just did a cruise-in Saturday night with about 200 cars in attendance. I can't believe the attention that my car gets. Not one person asked to see the engine (hoods stays on - no hinge) and everyone agreed that a 302 is plenty of power. I have the B303 cam and people think I have a big block without opening the hood.

 

[GregR]

I'm building a daily driver also and went to an all Ford show on Sunday. There was a really nice Superformance with a 427 topped with Webers and a GT-40 (man, those cars are low!). When I look at those show cars I just think to myself "I put more miles on in a week than they do all year". The daily driver Cobra is kinda like having your cake and eating it too.

Greg

 

[todger]

Just remember the originals were not built for show. They were sparce and very fast. There appeal was great lines and a horse power to weight ratio that couldn't be topped. Don't let anyone put you down JUST BECAUSE IT'S A KIT or that it has a small block instead of a big block. Most of those commenting it's only a kit are probably dripping with envy inside.

 

[dpmac]

Dior's FFR is dark green, no stripes, white PSE Halibrands, carbed BB, great paint, awsome sound. I have a Silver/Black 302, FMS Cobra EFI intake, 65MM, Vortech, fair paint, black Halibrands.

We go to cruise nights and shows and park together many times a year. I was surprised that that both cars draw crowds all the time. Both cars get compliments all the time, both cars get some kind of trophy's some of the time.

Go to the show/cruise open the hood or don't open the hood. It does not matter, you built the car for you. Over time you will do what you need to do to bring the car where you want it to be, or not. Every car there is a work in progress. Some just need more progress than others. Its up to you. That is the fun part of owning these cars is that can upgarde over time.

I find my self doing the smallest, inexpensive things now and then to bring the car to where I want it to be. Its fun. Just do it!

PS: Whatever Dior posts as a reply to this reply is pure bull$hit. It's his way you know.

 

[SteveMoriarty]

I usually do about 2 carshows or cruises a week. I have a 302 EFI with a Cobra Intake in KERMIT & leave the hood open at shows/cruises all the time. About a year ago a guy comes by at a carshow and tells me that FFR Cobras owners are afraid to open their hoods because they are embarassed by the engine. He has another manufacturer. KERMIT [hood open]beat his Cobra at that show. Well, in the past year KERMIT [with the hood open] has beat his Cobra at every carshow we have done together. Be proud of what you have done. You'll be amazed at how your peers at the car shows will appreciate what you have done. Interestly, its not the other car show people that give you the hard time, its usually the spectators [that don't have a car at the show, or anywhere.] THe trophies are neat, but the friends you make at the carshows & cruises are even neater.

 

[d boothe]

I don't plan on going to car shows...BUT IF I DID....I'd have a sign saying..."this is NOT a show car...this car was built to be street driven...AND RACE!!!"

My neighbor, Isc89...built a show car...absolutely gorgeous in every respect. I honestly hope I'm not there when he gets his first rock chip!!! dino

 

[Ozona]

Russ!!

Be PROUD of your ride.

Mark W.'s baby blue FFR was there right next to Dave Rodak's superformance, and got LOTS and LOTS of compliments!

Here's a picture of Mark's SWEET FFR. That's my wife that's standing next to it. Mark is in the back enjoying a pipe and Len's cobra.

Here's one of the really nice Superformances he's referring to:

I would say that the very BEST thing about the Windy City Club is that it's very diverse from a manufacturers standpoint. Superformance, FFR, B&B, ERA, Classic, and A&C - so far!

Heck one guy drove a FFR down that was still in gel coat, complete with seams from Wisconsin (I believe)... AND it had TN plates on it!

Ozona

 

[Wes Tausend]

There are only factory cars and kit cars...or do some people think most of their rod came out of something other than a catalog?

 

[Stu Spencer]

This is the same philosophy as going to the gym; there is always someone who is bigger, in better shape and just plain better looking than you. You go because it makes you feel good and you are proud of what you've got. Hey, you car is better than my Cobra which is just couple of donor parts so far. Go and have fun.

 

[Don Moffitt]

I agree with advil, who ever he maybe, I sat next to these older people with the 289 this weekend in Hillsboro. They were the best to be next to at a show. I too have an FFR 302 carb paint by me..... Be proud of your efforts, PISS on the ones that BUY their cars and expect trophies, drive it like you stole it have fun and upgrade when the finances and time are there I'm starting to look forward to the bad weather so I can make it better, as the finances will let me. Piss on em and enjoy.....

 

[David G]

Hey Don, was probably the same guy I was talking about. Red 289 with the tonneau snaps?

 

[ddimick]

Do I still get urinated on if I BUY my car and DON'T expect trophies?

 

[concobra]

Now you guys make me feel guilty for pulling the 5.0 for a bigger, carbureted 418W -- and I hadn't even finished the car! The 418W is not a 427 by any means, but it has lots of HP! I had major "motor envy" every time somebody asked if I had a 427 in my Cobra and I had to tell them it was a "three-oh-two." Of course, John Q. Public has no clue what a 418W is anyway . . . maybe I can sell the house for a 427 . . . yeah, that's the ticket!

Are these cars ever finished anyways?

Karl