the beginning...

This will be my almost Weekly Build Blog, (although, I'm a little behind) while I'm building my Factory Five, Roadster.

AC Cobra, real deal... thanks Shelby

While more then likely this will not be the color of my car, I'll be choosing, this is a great example of an AC Cobra.

You might be wondering why name Howling Cobra for this project. The build plan is to build a Cobra and have it powered by the new Ford Modular motor named the "Coyote"... over 400HPs out of the crate!

Fords new modular 5.0 coyote

so far,where I'm at... today being 12/27/12

8/16/12 placed an order with FFR (Factory Five Racing) looking for a delivery near the end of the year. I was taken advantage of the FFR 50% off everything above the kit sale... I "saved" $4500.00.
I opt'ed to purchase a complete kit instead of taken parts from a Mustang "Donor" car. I'll highlight the option as I go through the build.

My kit on the rack, waiting to come home!

11/09/12 Lori and I traveled to Michigan for a three day build school. 12 guys and myself got to together with 2 instructors and build a complete car in a weekend.

Build school in Michigan

First day of class

yep, yours truly! Practicing on Riveting... some 1500 of them in the kit.

Motor in....

getting ready for the first start up

Me sitting in the project car, No, I was not allowed to drive.. the instructor was and did a great job wearing down the tires!

A great class to attend gives you a great grasp on just what it was going to take to build a car... needless to say afterwards I was ready to go!!!

12/01/12 wire transferred the cost of the kit to FFR, My CFO (Lori) felt that sting! now with less then a month to go we had to prepare the (nursery) garage to be able to have a car and many boxes to fit comfortably.

The kit was to be picked up by Stewart transportation around the middle of the month from the Factory in Massachusetts  Meanwhile a couple of items were to be dropped shipped to the house.

12/20/12 the Brakes were on the front porch. Always wanted a car with two things... Big Brakes w/ Red Calibers and a large V8! This project should help fulfill both of those items

Wilwood brakes, 6 caliper, 12.8" diameter!

12/21/12 the next stack on the porch... Halibrand Vintage wheels the rears are 17" x 10.5" wide! Should help fill the wheel wells... nicely!

On the same day I got a call from Stewart transportation that the driver (Bob) was to be at my house first thing in the morning on Saturday!! Holy crap! more then a week early. Bob lived out in Phoenix and wanted to be home in time for Xmas. 

12/22/12 the day has finally arrived! The driver called and he was going to be nice and early for the delivery.

Bob from Stewart transportation doing a great job backing down our street!

And there she is!

Waiting for the boxes of parts to be off loaded... over 30 of them!

Just one of the cart full of boxes

more parts...

Time to unload the chassis and with sheet metal and body in place

Bob, the driver has delivered over 100 FFR kits. Earlier in the day he delivered a Roadster kit to a gentleman in Poway... the owner gave Bob his contact information. So, I might have another guy to follow along with. In total on this trip from Massachusetts  Bob delivered 8 kits.

Placement of the body on jack stands in the "Nursery"

Of course, the first order of business was to take a picture of me sitting in my new (future) daily driver. Living in southern California does have its advantages!

Grandson number one, enjoying the view... don't get to comfortable there, just yet! your time will come.

12/27/12 today's posting... still working on inventorying all of the parts to make sure that I received everything. So, far everything is dead on. Thanks FFR! this weekend I need to build what is called a Body buck. this is a rack that is designed to hold the body above the chassis to allow me to work on the chassis without damaging the body.

Similar to this body buck

Notice the wheels on the bottom, designed to be wheeled away from the chassis during build and wheeled back, still only taking one car space in the garage. Doesn't mean that we can park a car next to it... still have to put the 30+ boxes somewhere.

After the body buck is in place, the build will start. Front Suspension will be first followed by the rear. The plan is for a three year build.

I should mention before I get to far along in this blog to mention just how grateful I am that Lori (Wife, Friend, Mother to my children and CFO of the house) has given me this great opportunity to build a dream. Been almost 30 years of marriage and what a ride it has been so far. Can't wait to have her at my side while blasting down the road in a car that I built for the next 30!