What next?

[Jazzman]

The Fliptop is now in her final stages of preparation. She is sequestered in a secret location for her final primping. Much like the daughter getting ready for the prom, She is putting on her very best in preparation for her full debut. But I am already getting bored. I am already missing the build process. I promised my longsuffering wife that the next car would have certain requirements:

Must have Automatic Transmission (so she can drive it!!)
Must have Air Conditioning and heating.

Beyond that, she has pretty well given me carte blanche on what to do. Here are my thoughts. I would appreciate any thoughts or comments you might have on any of these subjects:

Do another Factory Five car. I have loved doing the MKIV, and continue to be impressed with the quality of the product. However, I deviated a LOT from the stock build, so I ended up not using a bunch of stuff. I am considering a "donor build" next time, even though I still plan to use all new parts. Might save me a bit of money not buying stuff I didn't end up using. So here are my thoughts on models:

Another MKIV? Been there, done that. Need new challenges.
Coupe? The metal body Gen 3 Coupe is interesting, but much like what I already have done. I like it, I am seriously considering one, but something nags at me to push myself further. I am not sure if I can shoehorn an automatic tranny in there.
Hotrod? My son loves it, but he isn't interested in building it. I like it, but am not passionate about it. Every conceivable version has already been done. What can I add to the mix that is new, innovative, and really great?
818? I like it, but it is even smaller than the MKIV. Would pose new challenges working with a Subaru powerplant. Just not sure if I want to go that far away from the American Muscle powerplants. Also not sure if I can shoehorn an Automatic Tranny in.
GTM? LOVE the car. Not sure I can shoehorn my own . . . magnitude (?!!) into the doors and onto the seats. Worse still, can I get out?!!! To do it right, the price point is steep. (What am I saying, look what I did to the MKIV!!!) I will have to beg someone that has one at Huntington Beach to let me sit in it to see if I want to go this direction.

Other potential options and interests: (These take me outside of the realm of having a "build manual" and remove the excellent support network of all of you on the Factory Five Forums. They will push my education, ingenuity, and creativity. )

'67 Mustang from all reproduction parts: This is probably the car that first captured my imagination for cars. Every conceivable version has already been done. What can I add, and do I even want or need to? Easy to get an Automatic Transmission into it. Parts are readily available. Easily saleable, even though not a "original" Mustang.

Early mid 60's Bronco: I think an automatic is feasible, just not sure if I can mate it to a Coyote and still get it in there. Lots of fond high school memories in a Bronco. Lots of repro parts available, but they are really getting pricey now.

mid 60's Corvette from all reproduction parts: Many of the same comments as the Mustang apply here. My wife likes this car, but she is not a "car lover". She doesn't really care what I build as long as she can drive it.

1955 Ford F100 truck: Not sure if all the parts are still available as reproductions, but many are. May be a bit more difficult to find parts than the previous two.

1951 Mercury Eight "Lead Sled": This one would really push my learning curve for metal work. (certainly a goal.) Much harder to find parts. Would have to find an original car to restore, and this might involve extensive rust repair and metal fabrication. Lots of these already done, but I like the flowing line after the top is chopped. It is a really big beast! IT would really fill the garage!

Something else even more unique:
I have always loved the 1970's era Porsche 911, but they have really jumped in price. Automatic Tranny is also out of the question. Plus modifying these very much is akin to painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa!
I love the old Triumph TR6 and TR7. They are similar in style to the MKIV, and an automatic Transmission is probably out of the question.

I am going to be looking around at the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction for inspiration and ideas.

[Mark Eaton]

Maybe something like this 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...15411098691560

I'd probably hold off on the Flip-Top mod. But for a challenge you could put a Cummins turbo diesel engine in it!

[edwardb]

Coupe? The metal body Gen 3 Coupe is interesting, but much like what I already have done. I like it, I am seriously considering one, but something nags at me to push myself further. I am not sure if I can shoehorn an automatic tranny in there.

??? The only steel body FF is offering is the steel body '33 Hot Rod. None have been delivered yet, to my knowledge, but supposed to be close I guess. If you mean the Gen 3 Daytona Coupe, it only comes in a glass body. Same as the Roadster. It's already a tip-up nose, so you don't have to go through that modification again. With a Gen 3 Coupe kit sitting in my garage for a little over one month now, I think it's a great next project. Leverages what you already know, but has enough differences that it's a whole new challenge. And the final result should be awesome. The new chassis is radically different than the Roadster. Very impressive. I can't say for sure obviously, but the engine compartment and transmission tunnel are very open and I have to believe an automatic would be a natural to fit in there. I'm putting a T56 in mine, which has already been done on several builds, and it apparently fits fine even though it's bigger than the usual TKO. But I don't have mine so I can't cite personal experience yet. My main focus on modifications will be the interior. Seats, dash, instrument panel, etc. Nothing too radical, but hopefully more DD level vs. race car. Still a work in progress. Planning heat and A/C, but will say I'm finding the choices are limited. Probably the Factory Five one is the only one that's acceptable, even though there are a lot of options in the marketplace. Because of the frame design, and multiple tubes and angle pieces, space for the heat/AC unit is somewhat limited.

I love the GTM. Was very interested at one point. But the build price and complexity put me off some. Plus it's even harder to get in than the Daytona Coupe. Decided it wasn't for us. Also really like the 818. Have seen them in person several times and they're cool. But I'm with you. At this point, don't really want to try to learn a whole other powerplant setup. Just not into the tuner thing right now. I like the '33 Hot Rod, but especially around SE Michigan where I live, those kinds of rides are very common and for me anyway wouldn't really stand out. At this point I haven't looked outside the FF family. For now, plenty here to keep me interested.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Funny thing Kevin, when you started talking "outside of the FFR family" my first thought was an early Bronco! I did one for a fellow FFR Roadster owner a couple of years ago:



I love these things! This one has an EFI 5.0 Windsor coupled to an AOD automatic. Simple, reliable, plenty strong. Chassis and suspension components are almost all James Duff or Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. You can darn near build the entire thing from catalogs. An autocross buddy is doing one with a Coyote and automatic; it's a rolling running chassis at this point. He's asked me to the body and paint which brings me to one caveat if you decide to go down this road---get all the body pieces from one source. For the blue one in the photo above the owner had a fiberglass body tub from one manufacturer, door cutouts from another, hood from a third and finally a repro steel tailgate. They didn't all match or want to play nice together which kinda' gave me fits on the bodywork! I likened it to trying to marry a FFR body with Shell valley doors, a Backdraft hood and SPF trunklid

I say go for it (and if you do you have to promise to share the process with us via another epic build thread )!

Jeff





nickbronco2.JPG

[Straversi]

That's pretty much the same list I had prior to ordering the MK IV. I'm not done but will be revisiting the list soon. All have pros and cons. My skill set is a little better now and so is my confidence but still concerned about biting off more than I can chew. Love the support of FFR community. Good luck. Love to see what direction you go.
- Steve

[Jazzman]

Maybe something like this 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...15411098691560

I'd probably hold off on the Flip-Top mod. But for a challenge you could put a Cummins turbo diesel engine in it!

Very Creative!! I wonder if my wife would appreciate trying to park that! I'll bet it doesn't normally have power steering. No matter. That can be fixed. I agree the Flip top mod might be one step too far. She would sure get noticed driving that to church!!

[Jazzman]

Funny thing Kevin, when you started talking "outside of the FFR family" my first thought was an early Bronco! I did one for a fellow FFR Roadster owner a couple of years ago:



I love these things! This one has an EFI 5.0 Windsor coupled to an AOD automatic. Simple, reliable, plenty strong. Chassis and suspension components are almost all James Duff or Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. You can darn near build the entire thing from catalogs. An autocross buddy is doing one with a Coyote and automatic; it's a rolling running chassis at this point. He's asked me to the body and paint which brings me to one caveat if you decide to go down this road---get all the body pieces from one source. For the blue one in the photo above the owner had a fiberglass body tub from one manufacturer, door cutouts from another, hood from a third and finally a repro steel tailgate. They didn't all match or want to play nice together which kinda' gave me fits on the bodywork! I likened it to trying to marry a FFR body with Shell valley doors, a Backdraft hood and SPF trunklid

I say go for it (and if you do you have to promise to share the process with us via another epic build thread )!

Jeff





nickbronco2.JPG

I just love that one Jeff! That is really great looking. I love every facet of that one. A bronco is certainly solidly on my list. I had a 1987 bronco years ago, and loved it except for the exceptionally lousy mileage. i was driving over 500 miles a week at the time at 13MPG. It about broke me!

My grandfather was a realtor and real estate investor. He counseled me to buy raw land in forty acre parcels as close as possible to where there is current building on subdivided parcels. He found this offered excellent appreciation potential in a reasonable time frame. I wonder if there is any way to determine what cars have greater appreciation potential. I know that popularity, scarcity, uniqueness, and provenance are all factors. I wonder which more modern cars are currently ignored that might have significant appreciation potential? Of course, do I want to hold on to them for years? The 1950's and '60s cars are in vogue right now. That is 55 to 65 years old. I wonder if the logic holds that 10 years from now, 1970's vehicles will be all the rage? I think there was more "style" in the 1950's and '60s cars than in the oil embargo 1970's. Perhaps I need greater "vision". Any thoughts on predicting the future of car values, oh oracle of Bloomington?!!

Yes, If there is interest in whatever build I do next, I probably will do a build thread. I enjoy sharing the experience with others, and my kids are not particularly interested. This forum is sort of my "adopted family" that actually cares about cars!

Has anyone done a Hot Rod with a rumble seat? Do you think there is legroom there to do it? Hmmmm . . .

[Vette1972]

Hi Gang,

I drove a 1972 Bronco for several years. It was a great vehicle. 302 with 3 speed on column and was peppy. Mine had the dual fuel tanks and we did the fender flares. That thing would go anywhere a jeep could go. A custom version would be awesome. My 2 cents worth.

Len

[AZPete]

I share a lot of your questions, goals and dilemmas as I search for more things to do to my 818. In 2011, I sold my Mk3 when there was nothing more I could do to it. I'm also beginning to ask "what's next?" Our priorities are a little different, but let's have a few beers next week at Barrett-Jackson to swap ideas.
Pete

[GoDadGo]

Jazzman,

Build The New Type-65!
You have the skills plus EdwardB / Paul for assistance.
In the meantime, I'll try to finish my MK-4 in an attempt to catch up with you.

Steve

[PeteH]

Jazzman, I did a 71 TR6 with a 302 and C4 auto. Took a bit of sawzall and welding to get everything to fit. I made a new chassis out of 3x3 1/8" squre tube, which led me down this path. The TR6 rear diffs are the weak point. I am in the process of rebuilding another diff this winter.
Other than louveres in the hood, it looks stock at a glance until you hear it.

[Jazzman]

You're on AZPete!!

[Jazzman]

Jazzman,

Build The New Type-65!
You have the skills plus EdwardB / Paul for assistance.
In the meantime, I'll try to finish my MK-4 in an attempt to catch up with you.

Steve

Yes, the Type 65 Coupe is tempting. I have already stolen ideas from EdwardB unmercifully, feel a bit guilty doing it a second time. (Ok, not really guilty enough not to do it again!!!) My concept for the next project has to be more "daily driver" than show car. Very soon we will be back down to only two cars, my truck and the Roadster. Since my bride won't drive the Roadster, she is limited to whenever I am not using the truck. Not a very big deal since I control my schedule, but can be a minor issue. I can't decide if I can "tame" the Coupe enough to move it to daily driver status without neutering it. It's definitely on the list.

I expect to see the Dark Side rising at Huntington Beach in 2019!! I'll proudly escort you in!!

[Jazzman]

Jazzman, I did a 71 TR6 with a 302 and C4 auto. Took a bit of sawzall and welding to get everything to fit. I made a new chassis out of 3x3 1/8" squre tube, which led me down this path. The TR6 rear diffs are the weak point. I am in the process of rebuilding another diff this winter.
Other than louveres in the hood, it looks stock at a glance until you hear it.

It's tempting. If I went the TR6 route, I might consider dropping in a 3.5L V6 Ford Ecoboost with a turbo like my truck has. It is really an amazingly powerful engine. I would have to figure out how to get the adjustable engine controls with it to go from standard to sport mode. I love sport mode on my truck!! If I am going to go so far as to change out the engine and tranny, I would definately do a complete new rear end, better brakes, and completely replace every inch of the wiring! I have heard about the "quality" of english wiring in that era.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Kevin,
Have you tried on a Coupe and done the entry & exit drill? GTM is easier for in/out (keep in mind that "easier" is relative).

No room for a rumble seat in the 33...that's where the rear axle and suspension resides. I've preached to Dave for years (and again when we were together at PRI last month) that they need to stretch it a few inches and do a Phaeton version with a kid sized back seat.

TR6, Spitfire, MGB...love 'em and was about to pull the trigger before doing the FFR thing a decade and a half ago when I remembered that Jeff don't do rust!.

Prediction on future values? Look to the Land Of The Rising Sun my friend, specifically Datsun (NOT Nissan), more specifically 510s, 240Zs and the 520/521 and 620 pickups. There's been a rumble for a few years but it hasn't blown up into a full roar yet...I think it will.

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

I expect to see the Dark Side rising at Huntington Beach in 2019!! I'll proudly escort you in!!

My better half (Mrs. Go-Dad) started planning the trip.
Need a finished car, a top and three days to get there.

[Jazzman]

My better half (Mrs. Go-Dad) started planning the trip.
Need a finished car, a top and three days to get there.

To Mrs Go Dad: on the evening of your second long day, you are going to need to stop for dinner, friendly company, and a warm bed. Please put our home as one of your waypoints. We would love to have you stay with us!