SoMuchEntropy's Mark IV Roadster Build

[SoMuchEntropy]

Hi Guys,

My name is Miguel. I've been lurking around these forums for about a year or so. When I found out about kit cars, I became very intrigued. I love cars and I love building things. After reading about 20 build threads, I finally got the courage (and, just as important, permission from my wife) to pull the trigger on a Mark IV roadster. After contemplating for about a week, my order went in one late afternoon...August 6th actually. The journey had begun!

I figured I would receive my kit around November - December as I was reading threads that said it was taking around 3-4 months. Turns out, these threads were a little old. Boy was I surprised when, I received a response from Factory Five that my completion date was Sept 7th and delivery around 2.5 weeks later. Sure enough, Stewart transport contacted me about receiving my delivery towards the end of September. So here we are!

Without further ado, here is my build:
- Factory Five Mark IV roadster Complete kit
- 351W engine mounts
- Hydraulic clutch
- 351 Headers
- Independent rear suspension complete kit
- touring IRS shocks
- Wilwood brakes
- Power steering kit
- Vintage GPS gauges
- Black leather seats
- powder coated frame
- 17" Halibrand wheel/tire package
- driver/passenger chrome rollbars
- Wood Steering wheel
- Blank dash (I'll likely go with the competition layout)
- sun visor set/trunk gas struts/wiper kit/brake duct mesh/over-rider kit.

The choice of engine and manufacturer are still being decided on. My heart wants the 427ci. I figured I'm quite a bit away from that so I have time to save up for it. My biggest concern is actually body work and painting. I have no experience nor desire to undertake that specific part by myself so if any of you know a good shop in southern California that you recommend, please let me know. I live in Orange County, CA

This will be one of the biggest challenges I have taken. An engineer or mechanic I am not. I'm actually an anesthesiologist. So everything I have yet to learn will be from these amazing build threads, Youtube, and a friend of mine. I'm sure I will face some frustrating obstacles but it will be that much more rewarding when I overcome it.

Alright! Let's Go!

[danmas]

Welcome. I’m a little bit ahead of you. It’s fun and frustrating and awesome and you will learn a ton. I look forward to your build.

Dan

[Daddy O]

Welcome and congrats Miguel. I am in Long Beach so not too far from you. As far as body/paint goes, Ken Pike is the closest to us that specializes in our cars. He is in Marysville. My MK4 is currently at his shop. Do you have a body buck and chassis dolly? I still have mine if interested. Feel free to PM me.

[JimStone]

There's a couple doctors on here building cars. I work for the VA - Internal Medicine. If you can keep a patient under and alive for a 9 hour surgery, you can build a car. Meticulous attention to detail translates well to this hobby.

Best of luck!

[Blitzboy54]

Welcome aboard.

It will be more fun than you can imagine. Take your time and enjoy the process.

[Rebostar]

Welcome to the insanity. Remember it's all about the build process. The end result is just a bonus! Make use of this forum, there is a wealth of very good knowledge here. I've been here on the forun since January, everyone, with one minor anoying exception has been very supportive and helpfull. I'm about 800 miles due north of you in Oregon. So an in person visit wont be in the cards. This is my first Cobra build, but I've been a mechanic for 45 years and restoring classic muscle for the last 15 years. So fire away if you have any questions.
Good luck and happy trails.
Allyn

[SoMuchEntropy]

Welcome. I’m a little bit ahead of you. It’s fun and frustrating and awesome and you will learn a ton. I look forward to your build.

Dan

Thank you everyone. Thanks Dan. It's nice to be part of such a welcoming community. I look forward to the build and learning tons from all of you knowledgeable people.

Welcome and congrats Miguel. I am in Long Beach so not too far from you. As far as body/paint goes, Ken Pike is the closest to us that specializes in our cars. He is in Marysville. My MK4 is currently at his shop. Do you have a body buck and chassis dolly? I still have mine if interested. Feel free to PM me.

Oh DaddyO! I will have many questions for you regarding the process of getting it to Ken Pike. I may hit you up soon for some information. Thanks again!

There's a couple doctors on here building cars. I work for the VA - Internal Medicine. If you can keep a patient under and alive for a 9 hour surgery, you can build a car. Meticulous attention to detail translates well to this hobby.

Best of luck!

Haha the human body is resilient! It amazes me still. Brother, I have not done a 9 hour surgery since residency and I sincerely hope I don't have to anytime soon. Although I did recently do a 5 hour hip revision, man that was rough.

Welcome aboard.

It will be more fun than you can imagine. Take your time and enjoy the process.

Welcome to the insanity. Remember it's all about the build process. The end result is just a bonus! Make use of this forum, there is a wealth of very good knowledge here. I've been here on the forun since January, everyone, with one minor anoying exception has been very supportive and helpfull. I'm about 800 miles due north of you in Oregon. So an in person visit wont be in the cards. This is my first Cobra build, but I've been a mechanic for 45 years and restoring classic muscle for the last 15 years. So fire away if you have any questions.
Good luck and happy trails.
Allyn

Thank you very much. I look forward to the process and challenges ahead. Friends of mine said, why not just buy a completed one, when they found out i ordered one. My response? Because I want to BUILD it, and enjoy the journey! I want to know the intricacies, the ins and outs. I want to put it together and be proud of what I accomplish. This is what I want to happen anyway. Hoping it turns out that way.

[SoMuchEntropy]

My dad got as excited as I did when I told him what i had purchased. He had a few of the 60 and 70s muscle cars when he was younger so when i told him what i was going to build, I know he wants to be part of it. I know he can't be present for the whole process so, with the power of technology, I'm able to let him see the whole process. For him and for my family and friends that were as intrigued as I am, I decided to document the build online via a blog and stream on Twitch. This will allow them to watch the build, ask me questions. One humorous downside is that they can and will see all my failures...LIVE. That's ok by me

I got the inspiration for the blog from a few members on here that have one of their own. I saw that as such a great idea to make and keep memories and to pass on something one can be proud they made with their own hands.

http://somuchentropy.com If any of you are interested. It doesn't have much content right now but i plan on updating it for my family and friends.

[SoMuchEntropy]

Quite a bit has happened since my last post including the main event. On September 29th, Michael from Stewart Transport arrived with my kit. Impressive maneuvering of the giant semi truck. Props to him.



Here it is in all its glory:



The body buck makes an appearance there on the right.

I made the taller body buck as many people on this forum have. Such a great idea. My wife likes to park inside the garage so the tall buck in conjunction with the chassis dolly will by super convenient. Once i'm done for the day, i can just roll it under the buck and the whole thing only takes up 1 bay in the garage.




Obligatory picture in car

Next up is inventory of all the parts. Some may find it tedious. I actually can't wait to open up all the boxes and see whats inside even if it is 30 boxes.

[JimStone]

Such an exciting time! Nothing better than seeing the front end of that red car for the first time.

I had a great time doing inventory, inspecting and touching each part and getting a feel for everything.

Enjoy!

[SoMuchEntropy]

Inventory Day

Inventory was done a few days after I got the kit. I was just super excited, lost track of time and eventually arrived at box 45 without realizing it. I enjoyed opening and looking through everything.

Not too many things were missing - a few nuts and bolts, door strikers. My box 19, which included the hydraulic clutch and double reservoir kit were missing the whole kit. A quick email to factory five and it was resolved. No big deal as I am nowhere near close to being able to install them.

Here are some of my favorite parts:



I really like the factory five logo on lower control arms. Very Nice




I bought these two racks for my garage for some organization. I can't believe I actually got everything to fit on the two racks. Maybe playing Tetris back in the day helped

[TXeverydayDad]

Welcome! I actually enjoyed the inventory part as well. Lots of fun boxes to open and explore…and it just gets better from here.