Mk4 Roadster #7750 at 2015 Detroit Autorama: First Place Award

[edwardb]

This past weekend I took my newly completed Mk4 Roadster #7750 to the Detroit Autorama car show at Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit. This was the first public appearance for the new build and my second Autorama. I was very pleased to receive the first place trophy for the Homebuilt Sports class.

This is the trophy, slightly incomplete. A car statue that goes on the shelf for the first place awards was apparently delayed, so they are sending separately. Some assembly required I guess.



The event started for us on Wednesday with move-in, and waiting in the second longest car hauler line possible. The actual show was Friday through Sunday. I was there the entire time, most spent at my car talking with attendees, which I really enjoy. They didn’t announce attendance yet, but last year it was 170,000. There were people 4-5 deep by my car most of all three days. Many very positive comments about Factory Five, many questions about the build, numerous individuals who were either building or contemplating a build, and of course the multiple “Is it real?” inquiries. I was a little surprised how many people ask about cost, because I’m willing to bet most of the other 1,000 or so car owners weren’t asked those questions. But since much of what is there is unattainable by the average person, it’s probably natural they should ask to find out if it’s really possible for them. So I tried to see that as a positive. People were amazingly positive and complimentary about my car, and nearly everyone commented about the color. It really looked amazing. Thanks Rick (my painter) for suggesting it!

The Detroit Autorama, being the biggest, is also of course well known for the Ridler Award. The eight finalists were breathtaking, with a Chip Foose design winning this year, his fourth Ridler. It was fun seeing that award announced at the award ceremony. But it was a little funny because they do the Ridler award about halfway through all the various car class awards. By coincidence, the Homebuilt Sports class was the last one announced right before they announced the Ridler. So I was the last person on stage before that announcement, and can say that Chip Foose saw my car (they project them all on side screens as they are announced) and witnessed my award. I’m sure it was as memorable for him as it was for me.

Anyway, a long and exhausting weekend, and the first longest car hauler line possible for move-out. But a great ending receiving the award. Now just need the weather to warm up and the roads get all the salt washed off so I can get the new Roadster titled and driven.

Here is a slideshow, mostly of the Roadster from yesterday morning before all the spectators arrived. 2015 Detroit Autorama Slideshow by edwardb

[beetlespin]

Beautiful build. Well deserved award.

[skullandbones]

Super nice! It shows well with the red paint and all that bling. Way to go, EdwardB!

[rickyracer]

Congrats. She is a beauty. Nice job

[WIS89]

Edward-

Somehow it seems fitting that a home built award would have to be, well, home built.

Congratulations on a deserving award! Your build was excellent and the results speak for themselves. I hope spring arrives soon for you so you can get out and enjoy all your hard work!

Well done Sir.

Regards,

Steve

[pcww]

Edward,
Well deserved congratulations. Who is Paul, the owner?

[edwardb]

Edward, Well deserved congratulations. Who is Paul, the owner?

We are the same person. Edward is my middle name. Been using that as a screen name for years on multiple forums.

[Ray W.]

Congratulations on winning the award. I know it makes you feel good to have your hard work recognized and appreciated!

[Georg]

Congratulations! I was expecting at least one award for your car at this show! More will come... Cross the fingers for you for better weather soon and a nice spring for rock'n roll...
Georg

[bil1024]

Very nice, congrats!

[rmiller64]

Congratulations Edward

[68GT500MAN]

Congratulations on a job well done!

[edwardb]

First, thanks for all the kind comments. I had a blast with the build, fun sharing via the build thread, and a great weekend making its debut at the 2015 Detroit Autorama. I had so many positive comments and great responses from people that saw the car and talked to me about it, I kept telling myself no matter what happened with the awards all was good. But I have to say when I saw the pic of my car come up on the screen and the first place announced, I was pretty happy about it.

Anyway, last post on this topic from me, I promise! I was contacted by a reporter from Street Legal TV after the show who said he had seen my car at the show and wanted to do an article about it. After an exchange of information, he just let me know the article was posted on their website. Check it. Pretty cool write-up. Factory Five Cobra Wins "Best Hand Built Sports Car" In Detroit - Street Legal TV

And for those of you that don't know, that really is me he's talking about. As I mentioned in a previous post, Edward is my middle name. B my last initial. EdwardB has been my screen name for multiple forums, websites, eBay, etc. for years.

[carlewms]

Congratulations and most well deserved!

[sbak]

Nice writeup on Street Legal, too.. great job and congratulations!

[rwantin]

Congrats! What is the word I'm looking for here? I think it is...sensational!

I briefly considered heading down there this year (had not been to an Autorama in years), now I'm sorry I hadn't.

[chopthebass]

Well deserved! Beautiful build.

[fordboy]

Hey Coach !!! nice work... your attention to detail cant be beat. Absolutely beautiful.... and very gracious of you to offer the help you do on the forums. Somethings you cant put a price on. Thanks for your help when I asked. Bob.

[AverageIowaGuy]

Congrats! Obviously a well deserved award. Enjoy the sunshine!

[pcww]

Hey Coach !!! nice work... your attention to detail cant be beat. Absolutely beautiful.... and very gracious of you to offer the help you do on the forums. Somethings you cant put a price on. Thanks for your help when I asked. Bob.

x2 on the above. Whenever I asked Edward a question I have always received a prompt and very thorough reply. My build is a mirror in many respects of what he did, but obviously not as meticulous.
After a while using the forums you start to figure out who stands out as real experts. Not a slight on the other nice and helpful posters. Henry

[edwardb]

Thank you guys again for the very generous comments. I've received lots of PM's from my build thread, and have enjoyed responding to them. I'm far from an expert, but happy to share my experience and what I've learned through two builds. I remember quite vividly the feeling when Mk3 #5125 showed up in my garage in October 2009 and I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Very grateful for all the people on both forums who have assisted me. Happy to pay forward what I've learned. For the new builders that have joined since then, welcome and enjoy the ride. I sure do.

Meanwhile, back in the real world... Today passed the 100 mile mark on the new Mk4. I'm still trying to decide whether to have it professionally tuned or bite the bullet and buy an AFR gauge and learn to tune it myself. But based on the odor, exhaust color, reading the plugs, and the gas gauge (!!!) the Quick Fuel SS-750 was way rich out of the box. Literature said it had 70's in the primary jets. Upon disassembly, turned out to be 72's. I've stepped down a few times and got to where it was clearly too lean, based on the plugs plus how it ran. Back to 68's in the primary. Getting into the swing of changing the jets pretty quickly now. Today had a very nice test run. It ran nice and crisp. A new plug in #1 looked just the way it should have after 30 miles. I've got 76's in the secondary, 8 up from the primary same as it came from Quick Fuel (72 and 80), and will leave it there for now. At this point, I'm not in the secondaries much. Before all of that, I did get the T-slots dialed in and the 4-corner idle mixture set using a vacuum gauge. It's idling at about 11-1/2 - 12 vacuum inches, so the 6.5 power valve seems close enough for now. There would be much more to check, and probably improve, with an AFR gauge. But for now it's running really well, and certainly not lacking for power. Letting the cruising season begin!