Graduation of A California Special Roadster FSR1005394RD
These photos are of my Factory Five 1965 ................ Roadster Replica. The kit was purchased in 2006 and is a all new component non-donor build. Finally over the course of twelve and 1/2 years (extended delays due to work schedule), twelve plus months of hard labor, gallons of sweat equity, hours of research and re-engineering the California Special is now presentable. It is powered by a 351 Windsor that is rated at 400 Horse Power, 5 Speed Tremec Transmission and a Ford 8.8" 355 Gear Ratio Differential. It has Independent Rear Suspension, Power Steering, Four Wheel Power Disc Brakes, Air Conditioning, Vintage Gauges and Simpson Racing Seat Belts. The upgrades and options are to numerous to list here. The most notable one being the sheet metal. The panels supplied by Factory Five were fabricated out of .040 Aluminum. Early on I decided to re-fabricate all these panels out of .048 Stainless Steel.
Last edited by Ray; 08-26-2019 at 10:26 PM.
Reason: Removed trademark protected text
Complete Kit pickup 09/05/2015, 351w, QF680, 3.55, 3-Link, 15" Halibrands with MT's, Painted Viking blue with Wimbledon white stripes on 03/15/2017. Sold in 08/2018 and totally regret it.
These photos are of my Factory Five 1965 ...................Roadster Replica.
Car looks beautiful! Congratulations on finally completing it. You didn't mention if you love driving it, after all your blood sweat and tears..
Tip- Don't mention the name "Shelby", in the same sentence as Factory Five..lol
Several years ago, Carroll Shelby put Factory Five through the wringer, and cost them a lot of money defending themselves in court. And at the same time that was going on, Shelby and Ford were also suing the best internet builders forum in existence, FFCobra.com. Many forum members supported the web site financially during the battle, for fear of it being shut down completely. The Shelby name, left a bad taste in many peoples mouths, by the time that kerfuffle ended. FFR can never use the word Cobra, and the web forum had to change it's name to FFCars.com.
Last edited by Ray; 08-26-2019 at 10:27 PM.
Reason: removed trademark protected text
Beautiful. Where did you get the dash emblem “California Special”
"Doddmoore," Mitchell Moore on facebook, Follow Tonks347Cobra on Instagram
MK IV Complete kit, SB Ford 347, Holley Sniper EFI, TKO 500, Moser 8.8 Solid axle, Wilwoods, Power Steering
My Build Thread: Tonks347, The Baker's Build
Slow and steady wins the race.
Per request, here are a few photos of the stainless steel panels and some of the body work. At one point I thought I would be sanding for another decade.