FFR Roadster 7486 Is Complete!

[Broadwaydan]

On March 1, 2014, at 2 pm I put in the floor mats and my roadster was finished! This was something I took on as a retirement project. I have always loved cars but really did not know much about how they worked, and what better way to find out than actually building one! I've always liked to "build" and do things myself, but this was a big challenge. I chose not to do my own engine - more than I wanted to chew off - but was able to be at the shop when the top half of the engine was built, so I at least got a pretty good understanding of what goes where and why. And with dropping it into the car and all the connections to make it run, I met my needs for that part. I had attended the build school to convince myself I could do this, and was happy to find out I would be able to get it done. I began the build by picking the kit up on April 1, 2011. And then the fun began. I would be lying if I did not admit I was ready to quit on many occasions, but time on the forum, a couple of beers and a fitful night of sleep usually got me ready for the next day and resolution to my problems. There are some things I wish I could do over - cracked windshield, poorly placed drills, faulty measuring tools (can't be my fault!), boy I thought that would work?!? - but I am happy with the outcome. I did end up with a couple of spider web cracks in my paint from transporting on the body buck (if you transport make sure you cushion between the buck and the body!!!). Depending on the light and where you are looking from they are either invisible or frustratingly obvious, but I resisted the urge to swallow anti-freeze, and my painter and I agreed I would assemble the car, we would give it some running time and then come back and take care of any flaws when the weather is a bit nicer (below zero when I got up this morning). Like others, there were some frustrations with some of the parts and instructions, but I could not have done this if not for everything FFR has done to make it possible for someone with limited car knowledge to build such a great machine. Overall, a very worthwhile and fulfilling project. Oh, and an awesome car as a side benefit!

Here is a link to some photos: http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/th...NAME=snapfish/

If you are not a Snapfish member and don't want to join, here is another, easier link to photos: http://gallery.roadster.mightypirate...ed-car-photos/

Light was not really good for the pictures today, but you get the basic idea.

Details of the car:

Complete Kit FFR7486 - Paint Chevy Corvette ('73) Silver Mist code 914 with Chevy Corvette ('66) Nassau Blue code 976
3 Link rear suspension, 3.31 gears
Vintage gauge set
Kirkey Hi Back Aluminum Seats
Adjustable Seat Tracks Driver and Passenger
Seat Heaters
FFMetal Battery Box and Fan Shroud
Replicaparts Dash Steering Hole Trim, Seat Belt Trim, Underdash Filler Panel and Weatherstripping kit
Heater/Defroster (did not connect defrost)
Windshield Wipers
Stereo with four speaker system
Custom vinyl on dash, shifter and e-brake boots, Herb's Door Panels and trunk lid access cover
Dash extension below dash with heater vents, stereo, seat heater controls and 12V adapter plug
Expanded driver footbox
Halibrand 17x9 front and 17x10.5 rear wheels
Nitto NT555-Extreme Tires - 255-40 front and 315-35 rear

Engine - Ford 302/347 Stroker/425 HP with Powerjection III EFI
Eagle Cast Steel Stroker Crankshaft
Eagle I-Beam Connecting Rods
Keith Black Pistons
Custom Ground Hydraulic Roller Hi Performance Street Camshaft
Roller Lifters
1.6 Ratio True Aluminum Roller rockers
Aluminum Performance Intake Manifold
Powerjection III 750 CFM Throttle Body Assembly
62 1b/hr port style injectors
MSD Pro-billet distributor, MSD 6AL ignition control, MSD Blaster II Coil
March Performance Pulley Kit
Tremec TKO600 Transmission
Ford Racing Bellhousing, Clutch fork, Clutch kit and Throwout bearing

I did also keep a build page online to keep track of what I did - and re-did and shoulda did and wish I didn't - here is the link:

http://www.roadster.mightypirates.com/

Thanks to everyone on the forum for your questions (I had a lot of the same) and answers and help with my build. Now, I just have to wait for warm weather, pray for luck with PA DMV/DOT, and then I can enjoy some driving!

[68GT500MAN]

Congratulations on the accomplishment! A very nice looking addition to the growing number of completed roadsters around the world.
Doug

[Scott Zackowski]

Ditto on the congratulations. Very nicely done. You should be proud.

[DaleG]

Great! You should be proud of that one.

[Walt]

Great job. Now in joy the ride

[Jeff Kleiner]

Great work Dan! Enjoy it

Jeff

[2bking]

I enjoyed your build site. Just wish I could see the photos without joining SnapFish.

[carlewms]

Congratulations! Really like your build site.

Carl

[bil1024]

Congrats!

[JimiD]

Congrats Dan!

[Broadwaydan]

I enjoyed your build site. Just wish I could see the photos without joining SnapFish.

King and others - my bad on Snapfish. I guess I have been a member so long I forgot they want you to join to see photos. I updated the main post with a new link to the photos - easier to get to. Also have it here:

http://gallery.roadster.mightypirate...ed-car-photos/

Everyone, thanks for the comments.

[first time builder]

Like you choice of color , dont think have ever seen that before !!!

Kenny

[vincent]

congratulations, nice job

[riptide motorsport]

Very nice work, congratulations.

[WIS89]

Looks great. Love the color!

Web/build site is a great resource.

You all must be very proud of your hard work. Congratulations!

Regards,

Steve

[christenfreedman]

Lookin Good!

[JL1958]

Great looking car.