4 "guys" in the garage!

[Fixit]

Should be a breeze compared to getting a carry permit in IL!!

[Scubasommer]

Martin
You need to rent those boys out!

Jimmy

[broku518]

Well, well, well- it looks like we may be moving someplace warmer, Florida!
I had to call the IL office and withdraw my application. Will have to finish it down there

[KenWilkinson]

There's a bunch of guys here in Florida, Where exactly are you coming down to?

[broku518]

There's a bunch of guys here in Florida, Where exactly are you coming down to?

Jupiter

[Jeff Kleiner]

I have 2 wonderful long time Factory Five friends in Jupiter; John Phillips and Richard Bailey. Pretty much rank #1 and #2 on the list of the world's greatest guys Both have owned & built a number of FFRs dating back to the very beginning (I always used to tell Dave Smith that John was responsible for selling more of his cars than anyone who didn't draw a paycheck from FFR). I'll hook you guys up when you get there. Also my wife and her horses spend every winter just about 15 miles north in Stuart and I visit frequently so we'll for sure make it a point to get together when I'm there.

Best of luck to you and your boys on this new adventure!

Jeff

[broku518]

I have 2 wonderful long time Factory Five friends in Jupiter; John Phillips and Richard Bailey. Pretty much rank #1 and #2 on the list of the world's greatest guys Both have owned & built a number of FFRs dating back to the very beginning (I always used to tell Dave Smith that John was responsible for selling more of his cars than anyone who didn't draw a paycheck from FFR). I'll hook you guys up when you get there. Also my wife and her horses spend every winter just about 15 miles north in Stuart and I visit frequently so we'll for sure make it a point to get together when I'm there.

Best of luck to you and your boys on this new adventure!

Jeff

Wow, thanks Jeff! I don't know anyone down there, but now I know couple people
I will sure keep in touch.

Thanks,
Martin

[JOE A]

I'm building a 65 Coupe and live in Tequesta, a small village just north of Jupiter. My car is at Whitby's in North Carolina awaiting paint. Contact me when you get settled in.

[broku518]

It's done! The officer came this morning, took couple pictures and drilled/riveted VIN plate in my PS box.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...ion-in-IL-PASS!!

I was expecting that we would do some functional checking, lights, horn, safety...nope.

(it was raining and I ordered a hand windshield wiper from Amazon. Didn't even ask if I have one. I guess IL doesn't require one.)

Car is registered as 1965.

Now waiting 7-10 days to get the title and plates.

[q4stix]

Congrats! That's awesome it was that easy and you were able to get it done before the move

[cv2065]

Welcome to Florida. Jupiter is a nice place. Quiet and affordable. Maybe all us Florida guys will hook up sometime in the future on a cruise of some type.

[mcwho]

Hello there!

I am a widowed father of 3 boys, ages 3, 5 and 7 years old. My wife passed away last year from cervical cancer. I am hoping to build this car with my boys, coworkers and friend along the way. I would love to have my wife here, but can see now, life is short. No more dreaming about things, start living and doing!

I always wanted to have a sports car of some sort. I have been pretty frugal in my life and just dreamt about building a Cobra. This year I started looking at some older cars, like Fiat 124, MGM midget or Porsche 911. But then I realized and asked myself a question - "What car would really make you tickle?" I would be Shelby Cobra 1965 for sure!
So I dropped plans on purchasing anything else. Did some research and placed an order with Factory Five this month. Also called Mike Forte and placed an order there.
I really like this forum with many helpful hint and tips. Thanks!

Here is what I am getting:
MK4 Complete kit
17"/front 9"/back 10.5" wheels
+Appearance Package FREE

from Mike Forte:
SB FORD DART 347 TURNKEY ENGINE PACKAGE carburated
manual TKO600
3.55 8.8 REAREND
REAR DISC 11.65" KIT

I already spend some time and build the body buck. I am also talking to Al_C user and going visit his place this weekend. Very excited!

So this is for now.....more to come.

Thanks,
Martin

********************
I edited your title.

Ray

Sorry to hear about your loss, I have been away from this forum since last sept cause of a house purchase. Getting back to it now. Where in Florida are you going to be. I am in a small town called DeBary, halfway between Orlando, an Daytona Beach.

[broku518]

20180629_160842_HDR.jpg

So my plates showed up in the mail today, yeah!!! I am legal now

I did some totally unnecessary trips to random place, like get groceries and gas.

Wonderful drive and I can't wipe the smile off my face!

[Scubasommer]

Congratulations!!!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wow! Looks like you were so excited you parked the car on the ceiling

Congrats Martin!

Jeff

[broku518]

Congratulations!!!

Thanks Jimmy! Hope everything is well with you and your build will be fun.

[broku518]

Wow! Looks like you were so excited you parked the car on the ceiling

Congrats Martin!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff! I still have couple cosmetic things to do...and then it is all yours! To work your magic!

[broku518]

Approaching 500mile mark. So far so good! Car is steady, fast, and loud

Couple things I learned the last couple of weeks:
- It isn't easy to order Starbucks
- Very thankful that I did the trunk mod. I can do Costco/groceries trips!
- I find every excuse to drive the car.
- This isn't commuter car, but I am still in denial
- I may have ~410HP, but I am only using ~120HP
- Make sure to lock the door while driving, the DO open wide!
- The sun screen and hat is a must!
- Manual steering is a work out while parking.
- I haven't done any more work on the car.

Boys did some custom paint job and hand prints!

[JoeAIII]

Ive got loud exhaust on my truck, and my solution to #1 is I pull up to the window and shut it down. Only way I can order or pay tolls without shouting or the person in the window choking on fumes.

[Flyguy561]

I don't know if you are down south yet but welcome to Jupiter! Its a great place to live and raise children. Let me know when you get down this way and i can show you some nice places for a ride west of town, we have 12 months of good driving weather too. Quite a few cobras around here.
Terry

[broku518]

I don't know if you are down south yet but welcome to Jupiter! Its a great place to live and raise children. Let me know when you get down this way and i can show you some nice places for a ride west of town, we have 12 months of good driving weather too. Quite a few cobras around here.
Terry

Hi Terry,
I am still in Illinois, moving out in 3 or 4 weeks.

[Yama-Bro]

Love the "paint job"!

[broku518]

Hello!

Finally here in Jupiter! What a place, really nice place and wonderful folks around here, blessed.

[broku518]

Doing some much needed improvements. This trunk mod is pretty slick, I was afraid I may have to cut the rod and have a less height, but didn't have to. It was pain to add the retaining pin without dropping the gas tank, but couple curse words and it was right in there.

20181103_180539

The way is closes it appears like it wouldn't go under, but with a small nudge it is right there!

20181103_180554

done, this is how it looks when trunk is closed. Done!
20181103_180609

[broku518]

Also worked on my safety gear, got this 1.4lb Halotron canister. I tried couple location, but found this to be the most practical, easy to reach and stable.

20181104_104410

[broku518]

My first 1/4 mile run, great experience, room for improvement. Practice makes it better, have fun!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...ile-run-DID-IT!

[broku518]

PBIR Track Night.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...779#post354779

[broku518]

Hello,

So here I come again. I built my car, and been driving in gel coat for over 2 years. Always planned on having someone else to do the body prep and paint.

Now I am considering doing the body fitment and body work myself. I live in Florida and the summer can be brutal, so this is considered my off season.

Can someone share some existing forum treads please? I would welcome really basis steps and pictures.

Thanks!

[mcwho]

Hello there!

I am a widowed father of 3 boys, ages 3, 5 and 7 years old. My wife passed away last year from cervical cancer. I am hoping to build this car with my boys, coworkers and friend along the way. I would love to have my wife here, but can see now, life is short. No more dreaming about things, start living and doing!

I always wanted to have a sports car of some sort. I have been pretty frugal in my life and just dreamt about building a Cobra. This year I started looking at some older cars, like Fiat 124, MGM midget or Porsche 911. But then I realized and asked myself a question - "What car would really make you tickle?" I would be Shelby Cobra 1965 for sure!
So I dropped plans on purchasing anything else. Did some research and placed an order with Factory Five this month. Also called Mike Forte and placed an order there.
I really like this forum with many helpful hint and tips. Thanks!

Here is what I am getting:
MK4 Complete kit
17"/front 9"/back 10.5" wheels
+Appearance Package FREE

from Mike Forte:
SB FORD DART 347 TURNKEY ENGINE PACKAGE carburated
manual TKO600
3.55 8.8 REAREND
REAR DISC 11.65" KIT

I already spend some time and build the body buck. I am also talking to Al_C user and going visit his place this weekend. Very excited!

So this is for now.....more to come.

Thanks,
Martin

********************
I edited your title.

Ray

Martin, would be glad to kick around some ideas w you. My son did the bodywork a d paint. We both built it. Took me 8 years, life is short.

I am in debary fl

Bob

[broku518]

Started taking the parting lines down. I went bit deep as I noticed a lot of imperfections and bubbles. The worst are was around the gas cap.

20200512_101041

20200512_101054_HDR

20200512_101102_HDR

[broku518]

Here is to more sanding. One thing I am learning is that nothing is straight on this car. And when something feels and looks right, it is the right way.
I am glad that Jeff K. is just a phone call away and willing to help out and give advice.

I worked on trunk and it turned out pretty good. I used a 1/4" tape and it took me about 3 or 4 times to get it in right shape. After that it was just more sanding and blocking. I think the hardest part was to attach the trunk to brackets !!! I got it pretty close, but it can get better, so much pain in a butt

I do realize this will take time and I can't cut any corners as the body work is the most important part in paint job. I don't plan on painting it myself, I have couple painter leads and plan.
All I am doing is the best job I can. I won't hold my painter liable for any bodywork mistakes.

The good thing is, the more I spend sanding and fitting the panels, the more confident I feel about doing this work. (also, having the right tools helps, big air compressor, air sander, air saw, air grinder)


20200519_124902

20200519_124855

20200519_124850 (1)

[broku518]

Here is tool corner.

20200519_131422

Here I was working on the hood. Same process, taping with 1/4 inch tape and sanding in stages, took 3 or 4 times again to get the gaps right. The hood looks recessed, but that is due to missing rubber seal.

Again, this is challenging, but very rewarding when I see the gaps are even and it looks right. (in pictures the hood is just loosely sitting there now. I had to move it so many times, so I just took this picture today)

20200519_131345

20200519_131339

[Al_C]

You're making great progress! Good for you!

[miller7448]

Great to see someone else crazy enough to do the body work themselves. Maybe based on inexperience I tended to use the Rage Gold hardner up before reaching the end of the gallon. You can order the harder online for 10 bucks or so. I think I went on the high side because one time early on I was on the low side and even after 12 hours of cure it tended to gum the sandpaper. Used 2 gallons but I'm sure more than a gallon was sanded off.

[broku518]

You're making great progress! Good for you!

Thanks! BTW Your car looks great!!! Enjoy

[broku518]

Great to see someone else crazy enough to do the body work themselves. Maybe based on inexperience I tended to use the Rage Gold hardner up before reaching the end of the gallon. You can order the harder online for 10 bucks or so. I think I went on the high side because one time early on I was on the low side and even after 12 hours of cure it tended to gum the sandpaper. Used 2 gallons but I'm sure more than a gallon was sanded off.

Yes! I was overwhelmed how much work that is. Right now I am focusing on one task at a time and it is more manageable. It will take some time to get this right, but I am patient and sanding along

I am still just sanding, Rage Gold is next. One thing I am learning I need to rely on my fingers a lot, how things feel and flow. If it feels right it is likely good.

[miller7448]

In one of your pictures it looks like you went all the through the fiberglass on the rear of the passenger side door. Assuming the horizontal lines are some type of internal channels. Had a similar high spot but I chose to build up around it. Curious what the experienced guys have done in this type of situation.

[broku518]

In one of your pictures it looks like you went all the through the fiberglass on the rear of the passenger side door. Assuming the horizontal lines are some type of internal channels. Had a similar high spot but I chose to build up around it. Curious what the experienced guys have done in this type of situation.

Oh no! That is a sticker my boys put there. I haven't started working on doors.

[broku518]

I guess we are done, well at least for now!

I outsourced the body work and paint to a body/paint shop. It saved me my sanity! Glad I DID.

20201122_095904_HDR(1)

[Papa]

Great picture! The boys are looking so "cool". Paint looks great.

Dave