Shelby Cobra Replica

[drl911]

Anyone ever build or drive a Factory Five Racing Shelby replica? How does it compare to driving a SC or Carrera?

I have just begun the process of building the FFR kit mostly for the fun of it and perhaps make a few dollars (or at least break even) by selling it later. This will be a "low budget" build with a 306 (302 bored over) carb'd engine.

FFCobra.com has tons of info, but I was looking for a 911 perspective.....

Thanks,
Dan

[Racerbvd]

I've driven a few Superperformance Cobras and love the way they drive, fun, fun, fun!!!! I say go for it!!!

[Joe Ricard]

Huge differences in superformance and Factory five (stripped down Mustang).

The superformance car I drove was down right scary fast. needed an alignment and better tires I backed out at 120MPH.

[sammyg2]

About 10 years ago or so the factory five cobra was junk. The worst one made.
I was planning to build one and did my homework. I have a book at home called the complete guide to cobra replicas (1st or second edition) and they had an entire chapter pointing out how poorly the factory five car was built and designed. They're on the 4th edition of that book now. http://www.cobracountry.com/cobrabk.html
There used to be a place in Orange called cobra City, it was a used car dealer than only sold cobras (real and replicas). They absolutely bagged on the FF, saying it was a plastic mustang II. I spent allot of time there and drove at least 10 different cobras.

But having said alll that, FF is building some pretty nice looking GT40s and daytona coupes nowadays and I've been told that their cobra is much better than it used to be. The new FF cobra now uses most of the parts from a 86-95 mustang and is the least expensive way to go.

Superformance makes the very best cobra but they are 5 times the cost of a factory five.

[TWork]

FF doesn't actually do a GT40. They do the Cobra, the Coupe, a '33 Ford and what they call the GTM.

I have a Coupe kit sitting in my shop that I'll start putting together after I get my 911 is back on the road (hopefully this spring). I've seen a lot of FF cars and quite a few Superformance cars as well (GT40, Cobra and Coupe). There's no doubt that the Superformance cars are nice. They've got a number of creature comforts that you won't find in a FF car. The FF cars really are what you put into them. I've seen some exceptional cars and some that are just so-so. Some go for a donor bulid, others go completely with new parts. The sky really is the limit. Superformance and FF are really two different markets -- those that want a look of the old cars, and then those that want to do the work themselves. I think Grassroots Motorsports had a write up recently comparing the spec Cobra with a bunch of other "entry" level cars for those that want to get into racing wheel to wheel. Not really fair to say their glorified Mustangs as there's a lot of ways to build them up and a huge "aftermarket" for them.

Good luck if you decide to do it!

Originally Posted by sammyg2

But having said alll that, FF is building some pretty nice looking GT40s and daytona coupes nowadays and I've been told that their cobra is much better than it used to be. The new FF cobra now uses most of the parts from a 86-95 mustang and is the least expensive way to go.

Superformance makes the very best cobra but they are 5 times the cost of a factory five.

[pavulon]

I know you didin't ask about them but ERA makes nice cobras and a nice GT...I've an NOS ZF fully set for the GT if you would go that route....I've decided to try for an '89 930 instead.

[Rich Lambert]

Originally Posted by drl911

Anyone ever build or drive a Factory Five Racing Shelby replica? How does it compare to driving a SC or Carrera?

I have just begun the process of building the FFR kit mostly for the fun of it and perhaps make a few dollars (or at least break even) by selling it later. This will be a "low budget" build with a 306 (302 bored over) carb'd engine.

I had a Unique Cobra for 6 years and for most of that time I also had an '82 911SC. There is simply no comparison. They are two totally different animals.

My Cobra was a bare bones, nothing on there that didn't make it go faster car...no heater, no top, and no radio (like you could hear it anyway). The car handled adequately, but went like a scalded cat in a straight line.

The SC, on the other hand, was a comfy GT car that handled magnificently and had a heater, a CD player, and a top. It wasn't a rocket ship though.

The two complimented each other perfectly!



Just one other thought...please don't take this the wrong way, it's not a slam on FFR's, I've seen some flat out gorgeous FFR's, but I think you're being a touch delusional if you think you're going to come out ahead (or break even) on a Cobra replica, especially a "low budget build". Keep telling your wife that though.

[mcuozzo]

Stripped down mustang???



I'd venture to say the majority of factory 5 cars, especially over the last decade are made with mostly new parts - crate engines, high perf brakes etc. You think the pelican parts community is tight knit. Try the factory five community. The owners of factory five have been known to show up at club meetings. Factory Five is being sued by Shelby (the bastard!), but I haven't followed how that is going.

As far as the driving experience, as mentioned the 911 (even the older ones)is a luxury car compared to the cobra. The cobra is fast, loud, fast, cramped, fast, raw, and about 100 times the attention getter that a Porsche is. When I lived in Phoenix I drove the cobra out to dinner at a swanky restaurant. Felt bad for the guys who drove up in a 996 Turbo and Modena 360. They had to park around back.

I actually have a hard top with windows, heat and ac in my cobra and it's still nowhere near as comfortable as the Porsche.

I had the cobra and a 993 at the same time, talk about tough choices.

And as far as that book bagging on the Factory Five cars, the book is written by someone who makes his money selling "high line" cobra replicas, ie Superformance, ERA, etc. I'd put mine up against any of those makes. I had some custom work done to my car by an ERA owner and he wasn't ashamed to be working on it!!! At the DV spring fling (a cobra event in OH), some Superformance owners couldn't believe mine was a factory five. And I don't even have the nicest Factory Five in NJ.

That being said, there are some FF's that are put together with left over parts, by someone not skilled enough to build a car. They should be easy to spot. Just like an ill maintained 911 would be. Buyer beware.

Now the cobra hardly gets driven (weather and a leg injury). In this economy Its hard to justify having the cobra, but I'm still hanging on to it (trying to at least!).

[Racerbvd]

I been with both, side by side, multiple, not just a 1 & 1, and from what I have seen at track events, the Superformance are typically much nicer quality, but FF has there own race series, and for people like me, who are drivers over looker, that is a major plus. If you are just doing to thinking that you will make money off it, build a ricer.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by drl911

Anyone ever build or drive a Factory Five Racing Shelby replica? How does it compare to driving a SC or Carrera?

I have just begun the process of building the FFR kit mostly for the fun of it and perhaps make a few dollars (or at least break even) by selling it later. This will be a "low budget" build with a 306 (302 bored over) carb'd engine.

FFCobra.com has tons of info, but I was looking for a 911 perspective.....

Thanks,
Dan

Dan

I built and have a FFR spec racer. I took it to the track for the first time last month and had a great time. It actually felt very similiar to my early 911 which I used to race with a few local groups. Because my spec racer is set up for the series, power to weight is very similiar to my 911. My 911 has a 3.2, coil overs, bigger sways, modified struts, the works and besides getting used to being in an open car, I immediatally felt comfortable driving the FFR at speed. The only area that my 911 is hands down better was in brakes, but since your not building yours to comply with a series, there are plenty of options to improve that. I originally bought the FFR to race in the series and was going to sell the 911. But, I still love my 911 so I just can't sell it. I'm hoping to do a few enduros with the FFR this summer.

Oh BTW, I love how inexpensive parts are for this car. I purchased a spare rebuilt transmission already set up as a mid-shift for less then 500 Bucks and the 5.0 motor was rebuilt for less then 2K.

Although you have an excellent source of info at FFCobra.com, If u have any questions during your build shoot me a PM.


Also a Factory Five only has as many mustang parts as someone wants to build it with. THere are plenty of them that are built with all new parts and you would be hard pressed to find a mustang specific part on them. Sammy every time someone posts something about a Factory Five you post that inacurate reply about the mustang II suspension. They have never used mustang II anything and do not and have never done a GT40 kit. I would be more then happy to show you mine for accurate reference.

Although a Superformance is a more accuarate replica of a real cobra and is a great car, A properly set up Factory Five is a better handling car then a Superformance. Ask anyone who as tracked both and doesn't have a dog in that fight and they will tell you the same. The build quality of a Superformance is great, but you buy it that way. The Factory Five is as good as the person building it, so some are outstanding and some are junk. With the money some have dumped into their factory Fives they could buy a Superformance, but wanted to enjoy the process of BUILDING it on thier own.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Rich Lambert

Just one other thought...please don't take this the wrong way, it's not a slam on FFR's, I've seen some flat out gorgeous FFR's, but I think you're being a touch delusional if you think you're going to come out ahead (or break even) on a Cobra replica, especially a "low budget build". Keep telling your wife that though.

Gotta agree with you there. Build it for yourself to enjoy and don't worry about selling it for profit later.

[drl911]

Guys, thanks for all the insightful comments!

I know they dramatically look different, but I need the FF to drive and feel different as well. Sounds like that is the case.

My father and I are actually starting the build this weekend for the enjoyment of the process, but also trying to maintain a strict budget so we can at least get our money back out down the road if we don't really like the driving experience. We know going in the labor return will be next to nil!!!

I have a friend with a recently completed FF with basically stock 5.0 EFI that ran 12.9 quarter mile on his first drag strip run ever in his life. So, yes, the cars are fast.

Dan