North Florida 289 Build, #10306

[Chainsaw]

I’m working on finalizing my order details, so I thought I’d start this while I watch the movers box up our household for the move to St. Johns, FL. Went back and forth a bit on this, but I’m going with the 289 USRRC kit. I’m loosely basing my build on CSX2557. I don’t want to go full retro so there’ll be several modern conveniences added. The car will be used 90+% for cruisin’, but I’ll probably hit an autocross once in a while.

Here’s the major details I have settled on (I think):

Powder Coated Chassis
Hydraulic Clutch
289 USRRC Style Trunk
Power Steering
IRS
Vintage Low-Back Aluminum Race Seats
289 GPS gauges
Vintage Halibrand Replica Wheels, 17” X 9” all-around
Wind Wings
Sun Visors
Vintage Wiper Kit
Front & Rear Sway bars
Center Dash Support
Front Brake Ducts
Wilwood brakes

Drivetrain-wise, I’m leaning to a 306 with ProFlow 4 EFI with a TKX (wide ratios), mid-shift conversion*, and a 3.55 diff. (*Assuming I can get a true mid-shift conversion for the TKX.) I might could be talked into a 347, but my death wish isn’t as strong as it used to be. Based upon all the chatter on here, I’m leaning to going with Mike Forte for the engine/drivetrain, but I need to have that conversation with Mr. Forte. That part is a bit farther in the future.

Various and sundry add-ons, including but not limited to:
Russ Thompson Turn Signal mod and drop trunk
Boig Quiet pipes & Cool pipes
Lots of Breeze Engineering stuff
Cruise control
Etc. Etc. Etc.

I’m sure all you forum members will happily help me spend my money on the “etc.” part.

More to follow.

[narly1]

In the next few weeks I'll be dropping a PF4 (pending it's delivery) onto a 302/306 that I've been working on rebuilding.

I'll post up my experiences as far as that goes on my build thread.

Earl

[Straversi]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Welcome. Enjoy the process and keep us updated.
-Steve.

[cnutting]

Welcome to both the FFR family and the smaller 289 family! Mike is great to deal with. He built my 289. You have a good plan going.

[Chainsaw]

Thanks. Reading yours and VSpeeds’ build threads played a big part in leading me to the 289 solution.

[Chainsaw]

While not used on any racing 289 Cobras to my knowledge, I’ve got a real hankering to paint the car in a style similar to the ‘68/‘69 Gulf Oil-sponsored GT40s. Not really my style, but maybe that’s why I like it. The GT40s were the first race cars that really caught my attention and there’s something about that sky blue/marigold orange paint scheme on the Gulf cars that really stands out. I was/am also a big fan of the Gulf Porsche 917s. I’ll need to hash out how the orange nose would work out on a Cobra. Has anyone seen a Cobra in those colors?
Anyway, still hashing through the idea. Otherwise, I’ll default back to my original gunmetal gray with dark blue stripes.

[Vspeeds]

I’m looking forward to following your build. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

[CobraboyDR]

While not used on any racing 289 Cobras to my knowledge, I’ve got a real hankering to paint the car in a style similar to the ‘68/‘69 Gulf Oil-sponsored GT40s. Not really my style, but maybe that’s why I like it. The GT40s were the first race cars that really caught my attention and there’s something about that sky blue/marigold orange paint scheme on the Gulf cars that really stands out. I was/am also a big fan of the Gulf Porsche 917s. I’ll need to hash out how the orange nose would work out on a Cobra. Has anyone seen a Cobra in those colors?
Anyway, still hashing through the idea. Otherwise, I’ll default back to my original gunmetal gray with dark blue stripes.

Maybe something like this in the blue/orange?

[Chainsaw]

Maybe something like this in the blue/orange?

Very similar. I think I’d continue the orange (yellow in the picture) around the oil cooler and under the headlights to the wheel arches.

[CobraboyDR]

Very similar. I think I’d continue the orange (yellow in the picture) around the oil cooler and under the headlights to the wheel arches.

Maybe some yellow fangs hanging down...

[2FAST4U]

A GT40 paint scheme like the one I had on my GT40 woukd look really cool

[BlueMud]

While not used on any racing 289 Cobras to my knowledge, I’ve got a real hankering to paint the car in a style similar to the ‘68/‘69 Gulf Oil-sponsored GT40s. Not really my style, but maybe that’s why I like it. The GT40s were the first race cars that really caught my attention and there’s something about that sky blue/marigold orange paint scheme on the Gulf cars that really stands out. I was/am also a big fan of the Gulf Porsche 917s. I’ll need to hash out how the orange nose would work out on a Cobra. Has anyone seen a Cobra in those colors?
Anyway, still hashing through the idea. Otherwise, I’ll default back to my original gunmetal gray with dark blue stripes.

Neat idea. The Gulf Livery is super cool. Here are a few photos to drool over. The GT500 racecar was on display at Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA a few weeks ago. The GT40 is an ERA and was being stored there last year. Different interpretations of the blue and the orange, but they're close.
20200618_144754.jpg20210604_123016.jpg 20210604_122635.jpg

[Chainsaw]

Neat idea. The Gulf Livery is super cool. Here are a few photos to drool over. The GT500 racecar was on display at Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA a few weeks ago. The GT40 is an ERA and was being stored there last year. Different interpretations of the blue and the orange, but they're close.
20200618_144754.jpg20210604_123016.jpg 20210604_122635.jpg

That #6 car (or one painted like it) was the inspiration for the idea. A pic of it is the wallpaper on my iPad.

[Chainsaw]

Well folks, I retired last Friday, so I bit the bullet and ordered my 289 kit yesterday. I did it late in the evening and on-line. Haven’’t heard back from FFR yet. The order was as noted in the first post. Here we go.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...Has anyone seen a Cobra in those colors?

Here ya' go:



Enjoy your build and keep us updated!

Jeff

Gulf_Backdraft_RT4-1.jpg

[KDubU]

Congrats! You’re in for a lot of fun.

[Vspeeds]

Congratulations on retirement! And enjoy your build.

[Chainsaw]

Here ya' go:



Enjoy your build and keep us updated!

Jeff

Gulf_Backdraft_RT4-1.jpg

Yes. Like that. Thanks!

[Chainsaw]

Expected completion date is 2/5/22. I've got a bit of work to do to complete our move to St. Johns and get the garage space ready, so it's good that I have some time.

[Chainsaw]

Current status: Received the Russ Thompson drop trunk hardware last week. Ordered the 3.55 IRS diff and knuckles/hubs from Mike Forte yesterday. I also had a great conversation about engines and transmissions. I’ll have to sort that out soon.

[Vspeeds]

Exciting!

[Chainsaw]

I’m still pondering transmission choices. Has anyone dropped a T56 in a 289 yet?

[Jimtmich]

The 289 car is the Mark IV with a different body and appearance items. So, you could search in the Roadster section as transmission options are the same.

[Chainsaw]

The 289 car is the Mark IV with a different body and appearance items. So, you could search in the Roadster section as transmission options are the same.

Thanks. I should have been more clear. I meant that more as a question about uniqueness than about fitment. A few people have done it with an Mk IV, but some tunnel mods are required. Those mods are possibly more than my meager mechanical skills can handle. Still pondering.

[Chainsaw]

(Insert Final Jeopardy theme) Waiting, waiting, waiting. ONLY 124 days left to the "scheduled" completion date.

I've been busy with my consulting gig the last 3 weeks, but I did receive the rear end/differential hardware from Mike Forte and will get to work on that stuff when I'm done traveling later this month.

Clock is ticking.

[Chainsaw]

Still Dullsville here, but made the payoff to FFR and have been receiving several upgrades in the mail. No updates on build status, so I'm assuming, naively maybe, that the build is still on schedule for the week of 2/5.
Rebuilt my work bench and worked some on hubs. Will start building the chassis dolly and body-buck-on-stilts this week. With new consulting work starting this week, I'll be hard pressed to get the dolly and buck done, but should still beat the car delivery.

[Zach Bohn]

I know the feeling, my kit is to be completed January 29.

[Chainsaw]

Talked to Factory Five today and the car is done. Stewart Transport indicated to expect it in late February or early March. Luckily I got the chassis dolly and body buck on stilts done yesterday. Game on.

[Chainsaw]

IMG_2520.jpg
Just practicing putting photos on here. My current and future DD.

[Chainsaw]

knuckles cut.jpg
IRS mods underway. (Crazy exciting, right?)

[Chainsaw]

Well. I thought my FFR had a completed my car, but as of last week they were still finishing it up.
2B48E1A9-CBD6-4ADD-923C-B76F31D7FCF6.jpg
I hope to receive it sometime mid to late March now.

[Zach Bohn]

Hang in there! My 289 Roadster completion date was 01/29/2022, I just received my kit on 02/27/2022 (So Cal).

[Chainsaw]

Quick update. Got the call from Stewart today. The car should be here between 3/11 and 3/13 barring any bad weather or transport mechanical issue.
31EC8F3F-5F0B-46D0-AC02-767D2BB5B409.jpg

[Fman]

Subscribed. Looking forward to following your build journey the 289 is a great looking car. FWIW I am running the Edelbrock PF4, so far it has been awesome

[JeffP]

Quick update. Got the call from Stewart today. The car should be here between 3/11 and 3/13 barring any bad weather or transport mechanical issue.
31EC8F3F-5F0B-46D0-AC02-767D2BB5B409.jpg

Congrats, mine must be in there with yours - picking it up Thursday!

[cnutting]

Looks like another wave of 289s. Congrats all!

[Chainsaw]

In_the_bay.jpg In_the_bay2.jpg
Car arrived Sunday. Been working on inventory the last 2 days. I'll take off the shell Wednesday or Thursday to finish the inventory. Lots of parts/assemblies on the POL and a few minor parts missing.

[KDubU]

In_the_bay.jpg In_the_bay2.jpg
Car arrived Sunday. Been working on inventory the last 2 days. I'll take off the shell Wednesday or Thursday to finish the inventory. Lots of parts/assemblies on the POL and a few minor parts missing.

Awesome! Let me know if you need help on anything and I try to get down there.

[Chainsaw]

Will do. Thanks.

[Chainsaw]

IMG_2618.jpgIMG_2620.jpgIMG_2619.jpg
Removed the shell, aluminum panels, and crammed it all into my garage.