Wallace18"s 818 Build

[wallace18]

What new tank? FFR is building a new tank for the 818?

It has been talked about for some time. It is smaller behind the driver giving more legroom. Not sure of its release date.

[wallace18]

Here is some photos to prove a tall guy fits in my 818S. My friend Richard is 6'5" tall with a 36" inseam. He was wearing cowboy boots. He had plenty of leg, foot and headroom even with the top on. He was able to drive the car and operate all the pedals and shifting fine. Here are some photos to prove it. Note that I did not use the FFR tank. And yes the car is still for sale for 25K firm.

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[Frank818]

Just to clarify, your steering column has NOT been compressed, right?

[wallace18]

Just to clarify, your steering column has NOT been compressed, right?

Not sure what you mean. I did not alter it any way. It still has the tilt function and was tilted up in the photos.

[Frank818]

I am referring to this http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...Column-Spacers

Collapsing the steering column. You did not need to do it and a 6'5" guy fits.

[RM1SepEx]

Flat wheel, minimum column spacer (thin quick dis-connect perhaps) the key is his aftermarket seat being low, way back, and angled... notice how bent his legs are. It all comes down to seating position and geometry.

[EricScottZehnder]

Fits, but I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam and I know what it feels like to drive a car when the angle of your legs looks like that. Heel-toe is impossible and the whole experience is poor. Granted, I'm sure that the average person looking to buy this car from you will be less than 6' tall and everything will work out great for them.

[RM1SepEx]

Ergonomics... problem is everyone is built different and also feels comfortable in a different position. All depends on the person... what is comfortable position for you might be unbearable for me...

[AZPete]

Eric, Dan is correct that we are all different and one great thing about FFR cars is each of us can build it to fit . . . if you want. In the much bigger world of FFR roadsters the same question is posed and many taller guys (6'7"+) have made it work. In my roadster I mounted Kirkey seats, moved the steering wheel and pedals. In my 818 I've moved the steering wheel and cut down the Subaru seats. After more time I may get other seats but the 818 is easier to get into/out of because the door is hinged much more forward compared to the roadster. I'm 6"3", 32" inseam, 235 lbs. If you want to make it work, you can.

[bbjones121]

What mirrors did you use?

[wallace18]

Hollywood mirrors from Speedway. It is in the build thread.

[bbjones121]

Thanks, i tried finding.

[wallace18]

There have been some questions about my pics of the soft top. I took the first ones right after I mounted it. Don't forget I was the first customer install of the top. I since have adjusted the rear straps for a much tighter look. The top seals near the front of the humps. The sides are a styling element IMO. Here is current pics.

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[wallace18]

Well it looks like I sold my 818. 2 really good guys near FFR bought the car. The good news for me is I get to build an 818 for one of them as well. I am leaving for MA on Tuesday the 29th to deliver the car and pick up the 818S kit to bring home with the donor parts. I'll start his build thread next week. Here are some closing shots of the car getting loaded to head to its new home, I am happy and sad at the same time. It is such a beautiful car and is so fast. But it has been my dream to do customer builds and now I get to fulfill that wish. I hope my build was helpful to some of you as some of you have been helpful to me. My type 65 is going on the back burner for a time till I build this 818. We should all have such problems. LOL.

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[metalmaker12]

Well it looks like I sold my 818. 2 really good guys near FFR bought the car. The good news for me is I get to build an 818 for one of them as well. I am leaving for MA on Tuesday the 29th to deliver the car and pick up the 818S kit to bring home with the donor parts. I'll start his build thread next week. Here are some closing shots of the car getting loaded to head to its new home, I am happy and sad at the same time. It is such a beautiful car and is so fast. But it has been my dream to do customer builds and now I get to fulfill that wish. I hope my build was helpful to some of you as some of you have been helpful to me. My type 65 is going on the back burner for a time till I build this 818. We should all have such problems. LOL.

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I personally know both the new owners and they will take good care of this cool ride. Happy building man!!!

[RM1SepEx]

Congrats Tom! Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Chris, going to be some great get togethers around where you are over a few beers or what?

[Aloha818]

Congratulations! Looking forward to watching your next build progress. Should be a lot easier the second time!

[AZPete]

Congrats. We all know your buyer got a great car and I also look forward to your innovations on the next 818.

[Kalstar]

I'll be watching your next build very closely. Looking forward to the outcome. Wink wink.

[tango68ss]

Well it looks like I sold my 818. 2 really good guys near FFR bought the car. The good news for me is I get to build an 818 for one of them as well. I am leaving for MA on Tuesday the 29th to deliver the car and pick up the 818S kit to bring home with the donor parts. I'll start his build thread next week. Here are some closing shots of the car getting loaded to head to its new home, I am happy and sad at the same time. It is such a beautiful car and is so fast. But it has been my dream to do customer builds and now I get to fulfill that wish. I hope my build was helpful to some of you as some of you have been helpful to me. My type 65 is going on the back burner for a time till I build this 818. We should all have such problems. LOL.

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Tom,

Glad to hear about the sale! The guy buying this beauty is getting one helluva vehicle at one helluva price! Sad that I won't see it when I visit (since I'll be picking your brain on my eventual build) but glad you have moved it on so you can continue your "retirement dream"! I hope we will continue to see this great car hanging around these pages!

See you when I return!
TC

[tango68ss]

Tom,

Glad to hear about the sale! The guy buying this beauty is getting one helluva vehicle at one helluva price! Sad that I won't see it when I visit (since I'll be picking your brain on my eventual build) but glad you have moved it on so you can continue your "retirement dream"! I hope we will continue to see this great car hanging around these pages!

See you when I return!
TC

...BTW... I am seriously watching Wayne and Jeff's (Sponaugle) EZ30 builds... that will be the NA vector I will take (if all things are do-able by those pioneers!)

[metalmaker12]

I'll be watching your next build very closely. Looking forward to the outcome. Wink wink.

I hope to catch a ride soon !!!

[metalmaker12]

I'll be watching your next build very closely. Looking forward to the outcome. Wink wink.

I hope to catch a ride soon !!! And many good times to come.

[Frank818]

Lucky owners they are! And lucky you to do what you wanted!

[shinn497]

That is a seriously beautiful car! Do you have any more pictures of it?

[wallace18]

That is a seriously beautiful car! Do you have any more pictures of it?

Most of them are here in this build thread.

[metros]

Congrats on the sale. Sounds like a win win situation for all involved. I enjoyed watching your build and will keep an eye on the next one as well.

[wallace18]

Well I handed off my 818 to the 2 new owners on Wednesday this week. 2 great car guys who both have GTM's that are works of automotive art IMO. It has started a new itch for me. LOL. Sometimes in life God steers you in the right direction if you listen IMO. This time he steered me to some great people who bought my car. It makes me feel good to know someone will enjoy and take good care of something I put so much of myself in making. One of them is making one of my dreams come true. I am getting to do a customer build of his 818 Kit. I have hoped that after building and selling a few of my cars this would be the direction I take in the future. I hope to do 2-3 customer builds a year if possible in the future. I will start his build thread soon for all to follow. Here is a photo of all of us. Maybe you will recognize some of us.

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[Kalstar]

That is one handsome man!

[Frank818]

I thought the sale was completed on the 24th and the car off in a trailer.
Either way, let's see what you get up to with the start of a new life and new 818!

[tango68ss]

Tom,

Again congrats on the sale and the "future plans coming together" for you! BTW, the article on your 818 is posted... enjoyed the read!

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-ne...-tom-w-s-818s/

See you soon.

-TC

[wallace18]

Tom,

Again congrats on the sale and the "future plans coming together" for you! BTW, the article on your 818 is posted... enjoyed the read!

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-ne...-tom-w-s-818s/

See you soon.

-TC

Thanks TC!

[harrymorrow1]

Hi Wallace,

Thanks for the detailed info, I am still researching if this is the right kit for myself to build, I live in central Ohio so I want to drive the car longer than the 6 months of good weather we get, so this soft top was one of my main concerns, you mention that the windows did not flap until about 70mph, also not recommended for heavy rain, will be very interested in the hard top and how this pans out, anyone know if there is plans for glass windows in the doors? BTW I love the finish of the car, Wallace and the spoiler finishes it off very well, really glad you are doing what you always wanted to do and got the price you need to move onto your next project, congratulations.

Harry

[wallace18]

Found this video of the first 818S I built. Still is one cool looking and running car.