Papa's MKIV Roadster Build - #9115 (Post Grad) - One million + views!!!

[VAHokie]

Looks great, Dave. Congrats!

[ydousurf]

Dave, I will no doubt try and get down that way soon! It would be awesome to meet up with both you and GTBradley sometime. I'm actually going to be traveling this coming week for the next 10 days or I would for sure make the trip down! Can I possibly get a rain, er, snow check? HAH! That's a little bit of humor living in Colorado But yes, I would love to come down and meet you and just take in your beautiful car and any feedback you could give me personally.

I mean, I've wanted to the post the question: If you could do a few things over, what advice would you give to someone that would help steer (pun intended them in the right direction. I'm going with a 351w (427ci) but I'm hoping I"m not making a mistake by not going with the coyote? In the end, I want to actually drive my care everywhere and all the time, minus weather. I'm building this car to drive it, not to leave it in my garage. When I think of long drives, I like your idea with the headphone communication option and I'm planning to look into a set of those as well. You'll have to give me your opinion on them once you give them a go. Anyway, I just hope that the 427 is the right choice for me? My heart says go with the 427 and so that's what I'm doing. Anyway, that's only the beginning of my long list of "what if's" regarding my choices that I'm making.

Again, thank you for the invite and I will for surely take you up on that offer, even if to just see it in the garage on a snowy day! Enjoy your ride and savor in all the success of all the hard work you've put in these past years. Again, beautiful work from you and Jeff as well!

Dj

[Papa]

Dj,

So, what would I have done differently? I think the biggest thing would be the treatment applied to the aluminum panels. I would definitely have powder coated them instead of the rattle can bedliner spray I used. Next, I would have done the drop trunk mod. If money hadn't been a driving force when I started, and with the cost of components now compared to two years ago, I would have done the IRS vs. 3- link rear. On my engine choice, I'm really torn. I love the look of the 347, and once I get the EFI set up correctly, it should be very reliable and driveable. But, the reliability and drivability of the Coyote are very tempting for a regularly driven street car. I'm not sure I'd do anything differently yet, but I'm also a little frustrated with how my car is running right now. The good news is, there are certainly fixes that will get me past my current issues. The last thing I would have done differently would have been getting on Jeff Kleiner's waiting list much sooner. Besides deciding to build my car instead of just buying one, having Jeff do the body and paint was one of the best decisions I made.

Dave

[jlw]

Jeff is done with my car!

Are those the 17" rims currently on your car?

[Gizmosrcool]

My favorite color combo. Beautiful car!

[Papa]

Are those the 17" rims currently on your car?

Yes. I'll be putting my new 18" wheels on this weekend and the 17's will be offered for sale.

[Papa]

The car was loaded onto the transporter this morning and should be in my garage before the snow hits tomorrow evening.

[ydousurf]

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the feedback and honesty on those questions. I can fully understand the "budget" element and how it can control and direct what a person buys -vs- what someone can only dream about. I had the same with the budgeting for this kit. I was actually planning on buying complete kit in 2020, and I would've still had a chunk of change for the engine, trans, would get the tires later. As for the paint it will no doubt have to wait, since I plan to drive in gelcoat for a year (seems like the normal recommendation) which will work for me budget wise too. However, I decided to take all those dollars and put it all down on this 25th Edition. Not sure that was wise decision or not? Either way, I was planning on waiting to get the motor/tranny for one year or so. I may have to push that out a bit, but I'm okay with that too. I didn't want a brand new motor just sitting around in my garage collecting dust and not being fired up sooner and rather much later type of deal. I think my plan will work out just fine, since I am really focused on the build. So many of you say that's the best part and only to miss it once they are done. I plan to meticulously work my way through, documenting and detailing as best as I can and just truly savor each step as I go.

As for the dropped trunk, I do plan to get that and a couple other things from various vendors out here on this site. I want to show them some love and help contribute to buying their products. But since this was FFR's Anniversary Model, I've changed the way I'll do this build. Instead, I'm now planning to stay as true to all the parts that come with the kit, where as if I would've just got a complete kit, I was going to go nuts with the extra vendor stuff. As for the painting advice, I just hope either "Jeff or Jeff" are still throwing down the color when I get to painting mine. I will no doubt go with someone who specializes in the Roadsters. And I'll heed that advice and contact them here in the future to discuss my ideas and eventually get in the queue as well.

Anyway, I"m planning go back and read through your entire build. So... You may see more likes and reply's popup here in there. Dave, I think you did great! Car looks so awesome and you should be very proud of yourself. Again, it's an incredible and beautiful car --- OUTSTANDING JOB! I really love that blue!!! Enjoy getting it back and working out any of the small issues and getting it dialing in. I'm sure you'll have it running smooth and loud! Oh, and I can't wait to meet you and see it in person someday. I hope we can get together soon. Thanks again, Dave. Enjoy the drive...

Dj

[Papa]

Thanks, DJ. I'm looking forward to following your build. Just PM me any time you want to come down and check out the car or just chat about the build process.

Dave

[delta0014]

Car looks great

[cv2065]

End of the road Dave....now watcha gonna do...?

[Papa]

End of the road Dave....now watcha gonna do...?

I'm going to get it legal and drive the wheels off of it!

[GoDadGo]

I'm going to get it legal and drive the wheels off of it!

Definitely Wonderful Words of Wisdom From Papa Dave!

[Papa]

The car arrived home today!

[Higgybulin]

You lucky dog!!!! Have fun!
Higgy

[RJD]

Woo-hoo! Garage party.

[cv2065]

"Do you want it or do you want me to put it down there"....."I'll get it"...LOL

[Cruzzz]

Looks and sounds great! Hope you get a few days to enjoy it before the weather totally turns on us.

By the way, who hauled it for you? I will probably need to trailer mine to Jeff this Winter.

[GTBradley]

And just in the nick of time, it’s snowing like crazy around here.



Luckily Saturday is going to be nice. I hope you’re ready to take some pictures.

[Papa]

Looks and sounds great! Hope you get a few days to enjoy it before the weather totally turns on us.

Bye the way, who hauled it for you? I will probably need to trailer mine to Jeff this Winter.

The car was delivered just after noon and the snow started at around 3:30pm. I'll PM you with the transporter's contact info.

Dave

[Papa]

And just in the nick of time, it’s snowing like crazy around here.



Luckily Saturday is going to be nice. I hope you’re ready to take some pictures.

I'll be ready!

[GoDadGo]

Is that what snow looks like?

[Papa]

What, you can't remember from last year when you got snow in the swamp?

[GoDadGo]

What, you can't remember from last year when you got snow in the swamp?

I tried to block it from my mind.

[WIS89]

Dave-

Have you been able to do much since she got home, or have you been busy with snow chores, and other things?

I saw the video of the unloading, but I was hoping to see some more pics of how she looks now. I understand if you want to keep us in suspense until a graduation post, but...

You must be stoked that she's home!

Regards,

Steve

[Papa]

Dave-

Have you been able to do much since she got home, or have you been busy with snow chores, and other things?

I saw the video of the unloading, but I was hoping to see some more pics of how she looks now. I understand if you want to keep us in suspense until a graduation post, but...

You must be stoked that she's home!

Regards,

Steve

Steve,

I won't be able to do anything until this weekend. The transporter took a dirt road that coated the car with dust. I'll want to get it cleaned up before showing any pictures.

Wait for it ...

[GTBradley]

Is that what snow looks like?

That's what sideways snow looks like, or more accurately what the world looks like if you drive a Cobra in it!

[Papa]

After a grueling week at work, I sat down and put together a final punch list to get started on tomorrow. My list includes several small items like installing my Cobra Herbs door cards, carpet pieces on the door sills, door limit straps, seatbelts, wind wings, mirrors, etc. The weather should be cooperative tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to a day in the shop.

[Papa]

We had beautiful weather today and I was able to spend a good part of it out in the shop. First order of business was to get the car cleaned and then I drilled the holes for the rear legs of the roll bars and bolted them in. I waited to do this until after the roll bars were installed for the final time. I have the Tangent hidden roll bar setup that I was lucky enough to have purchased before they closed up shop. Next, the door cards were installed using the hook & loop provided with them from Herb.



Next I swapped out the wheels with the new 18" Halibrands. Man they look good! They definitely fill out the rear wheel wells better than the 17s.



Here are couple of shots out in the sun.





And finally, I attached my fender emblems, wind wings, and my Terry's Mirrors side mirrors. The mirrors are awesome!



I also got a visit from GTBradley and got to see his beautiful car, complete with VIN plate and a Colorado temp tag. I have a ton more little stuff to do, but it sure felt good to be working on the car again.

[Aircontroller]

Incredible! Jaw dropping!

We had beautiful weather today and I was able to spend a good part of it out in the shop. First order of business was to get the car cleaned and then I drilled the holes for the rear legs of the roll bars and bolted them in. I waited to do this until after the roll bars were installed for the final time. I have the Tangent hidden roll bar setup that I was lucky enough to have purchased before they closed up shop. Next, the door cards were installed using the hook & loop provided with them from Herb.



Next I swapped out the wheels with the new 18" Halibrands. Man they look good! They definitely fill out the rear wheel wells better than the 17s.



Here are couple of shots out in the sun.





And finally, I attached my fender emblems, wind wings, and my Terry's Mirrors side mirrors. The mirrors are awesome!



I also got a visit from GTBradley and got to see his beautiful car, complete with VIN plate and a Colorado temp tag. I have a ton more little stuff to do, but it sure felt good to be working on the car again.

[EZ$]

If you haven't already installed your door straps, and haven't done anything to darken the color of the leather, try "vinagaroon". It's vinegar and a piece of steel wool, allowed to rust. Brush it on the leather, and it will darken the leather, but leave the stiching white when you rinse, and it won't transfer color onto any surface.
By the way, I knew i wouldn't be disappointed once you got it home. The car is stunning!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Totally different look with the 18s

Jeff

[Papa]

If you haven't already installed your door straps, and haven't done anything to darken the color of the leather, try "vinagaroon". It's vinegar and a piece of steel wool, allowed to rust. Brush it on the leather, and it will darken the leather, but leave the stiching white when you rinse, and it won't transfer color onto any surface.
By the way, I knew i wouldn't be disappointed once you got it home. The car is stunning!

Rick,

I dyed the door straps and the seatbelt buckle pads black, but I've seen the treatment you are describing and it looks nice as well.





Dave

[Papa]

Totally different look with the 18s

Jeff

I'm really happy with the look!

[GoDadGo]

I'm really happy with the look!

As You Should Be Papa Dave!

The Car Is Truly Magnificent!

[Aircontroller]

Howdy Papa,

Just posting this in case anyone would need this after reading your build thread.

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...ries-switches/

Today I'll be working on the SDC Self-Cancelling turn signal module. My switches arrived from Australia and I plan to mount them in a piece of aluminum trim. I drilled holes into a 1/8" thick piece of aluminum bar stock and then used another piece of the same bar stock to create the marks that I'll trim the aluminum down to. Once the plate is shaped, I plan to create either a brushed look or polished finish on the aluminum and will treat it with clear powder coat.





Here are a couple of pictures of what looks like an assembled car!





We're getting closer to paint and I've settled on Indigo Ink Pearl for the body color. I'm toying with the idea of a ghost stripe. Jeff is going to put some sample spray outs together for me, but I'm thinking a slightly "silvered up" version of the Indigo Ink Pearl for the stripes.

[Papa]

Howdy Papa,

Just posting this in case anyone would need this after reading your build thread.

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...ries-switches/

Nice find! Watson's makes some pretty nice stuff. Looks like they also offer a full switch and plate kit. Those switches are quite a bit larger than the ones I ended up using. I wonder if the depth would accommodate the padded dash thickness that my smaller switches didn't.

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...s-switch-kits/

[Aircontroller]

Nice!

[Aircontroller]

Hey Papa,

Maybe next time you build, you incorporate the lighted cup holders. Lol!

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...e-cup-holders/

Nice find! Watson's makes some pretty nice stuff. Looks like they also offer a full switch and plate kit. Those switches are quite a bit larger than the ones I ended up using. I wonder if the depth would accommodate the padded dash thickness that my smaller switches didn't.

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...s-switch-kits/

[Papa]

Hey Papa,

Maybe next time you build, you incorporate the lighted cup holders. Lol!

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...e-cup-holders/

Uhhh - NO!