Steve’s Type 65 Coupe Build

[Smiley]

So I pulled the trigger today, November 22, 2024, and placed my order for a Type 65 Coupe, I got the last coupe production slot for 2024, projected completion date approximately December 28, 2024. Happy New Year to me.

I also ordered the engine and transmission from BluePrint.

Here is my proposed build list:

From Factory Five Racing:
Type 65 Coupe Complete kit
302/351 mounts
2015 IRS
GPS gauges
Powder coated
18” Vintage Halibrand wheels
Cut outs traced
Leather steering wheel
Carpet
Floor mat
Battery cutoff switch
Front and rear sway-bars

From BluePrint Engines:
427 EFI stroker with 4R70W auto transmission

From Forte:
Mustang 2015 IRS 3.55 center section, spindles and hubs
Surge tank
Mechanical throttle linkage
Dual brake reservoirs

From Gordon Levy:
14” Aero 6 front brakes
14” Aero 4 rear brakes
E parking brake

From Gas’n:
Headers
Touring side pipes

From Boig:
Cool Tubes - upper and lower

From FormaCars:
Power windows
HVAC system

Misc:
VRaptor Coupe side louvers
Wolfbox rearview mirror camera
Quicklatch rear hatch latch
Lokar 4R70W floor shifter
Twist Machine paddle shifter
WWK-21 windshield wipers
Breeze fan shroud
Cruise control
Warmseats seat heaters

I will strive to post as the build progresses and I will update the build list as things progress or change.

Thanks for watching,

Steve

[JimStone]

Congratulations!

Auto trans with paddle shifter - very interesting. I don't recall anyone else doing a coupe with auto trans, but may have.

Good luck!

[PNWTim]

Congratulations on your kit! Looks like you have a great build sheet. My kit is shipping next Friday so about a month in front of you. I look forward to following your progress.

[Smiley]

Thanks Jim, I have a “little” nerve damage in my legs so the auto is a requirement, BluePrint is confident it will fit, as is FFR, although some fab work will be required. Luckily my neighbor is an old fashioned car guy, a machinist with a Bridgeport mill in his garage, and a gunsmith to top it off. His wife says he’s at least as excited as I am. I am confident we can make it work.

[Smiley]

Tim, I am envious, I look forward to following your build.

[Kbl7td]

I have a locking quick latch brand new if you want, bought a set of two.

[Smiley]

I have a locking quick latch brand new if you want, bought a set of two.

I will take the latch, I PM’d you. Thanks

[burchfieldb]

Congrats, looking foward to seeing the build.

[8secDuster]

Steve, Congrats! When you ordered your engine from BP, did they mention when they start their warranty? I assumed when it ships? But unsure. Funny this popped up, I was going to call them tomorrow and ask.

[Smiley]

Steve, Congrats! When you ordered your engine from BP, did they mention when they start their warranty? I assumed when it ships? But unsure. Funny this popped up, I was going to call them tomorrow and ask.

From Darian at BluePrint:

"The warranty is 30 months or 50,000 miles and includes parts and labor. It technically starts when you receive the engine, but once it is installed and fired up for the first time you fill out our warranty form on our website. We also take that date into account when starting the warranty."

[lewma]

Congratulations!

Auto trans with paddle shifter - very interesting. I don't recall anyone else doing a coupe with auto trans, but may have.

Good luck!

Very interested to see how that turns out!

[lewma]

BluePrint is confident it will fit, as is FFR

You'll likely have to build a new transmission mount plate to get it to fit. I used sendcutsend.com and it worked out fine.

[8secDuster]

From Darian at BluePrint:

"The warranty is 30 months or 50,000 miles and includes parts and labor. It technically starts when you receive the engine, but once it is installed and fired up for the first time you fill out our warranty form on our website. We also take that date into account when starting the warranty."

Huh... good to know.

Thanks

[MPTech]

Hey Steve, where are you located? (I think I saw your post on the Gateway Cobra Club forum).
Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the adventure!

[Smiley]

Hey Steve, where are you located? (I think I saw your post on the Gateway Cobra Club forum).
Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the adventure!

Yes, that was my intro to GCC. We live in St. Charles on the North end, near New Town.

I am excited for the build, I can’t wait.

[Smiley]

You'll likely have to build a new transmission mount plate to get it to fit. I used sendcutsend.com and it worked out fine.

I’m pretty confident that’s the case also, thanks for the lead.

[Smiley]

Damn I just realized I fat fingered and mis-titled this thread type 35 coupe instead of type 65 coupe, any suggestions on how to change it before I start a new thread with the proper title?

[Smiley]

I received a call today from Todd at Stewart Trucking letting me know that my kit will be picked up next Monday for delivery the following Thursday-Saturday TBD. I’m starting to get excited!!!

[PNWTim]

Damn I just realized I fat fingered and mis-titled this thread type 35 coupe instead of type 65 coupe, any suggestions on how to change it before I start a new thread with the proper title?

Email David Hodgkins, he should be able to fix it. And congratulations on you soon to be delivered coupe!

[JimStone]

I received a call today from Todd at Stewart Trucking letting me know that my kit will be picked up next Monday for delivery the following Thursday-Saturday TBD. I’m starting to get excited!!!

Woohoo! Exciting times!

[Smiley]

Got an email from Factory Five today and this was in it:

IMG_4690 resized.jpg

[PNWTim]

Nice Steve. Those emails are pretty fun. I also see you managed to change your thread title .

[Smiley]

Nice Steve. Those emails are pretty fun. I also see you managed to change your thread title .

Yes, David was a great help, thanks for the lead.

[burchfieldb]

Congrats, let the fun begin!

[460.465USMC]

I'm late (as usual) to the party, but a friendly welcome aboard, Steve! You have a lot of sweet options in your build. The automatic will be interesting and fun to follow along. Let the fun begin!

[Smiley]

Well, Hello Dolly

I spent yesterday, while waiting to hear from Stewart about a firm delivery date, building my dolly.

It's base loosely on "Chris's Chassis Dolly Build Plans": http://cobra.chrisarella.com/chassis-dolly/

and the dolly built by B Campbell: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...4-Chassi-Dolly

I built it using what I had laying around and I raised it up so the top of the dolly is at 30" to make working on the initial parts of the build a little easier...we will see how that works out.

It sits on six 6" casters rated at 3,000 pounds, a little overkill, but I had purchased them for another project that I didn't use them on.






Dolly 1.jpg

Dolly 2.jpg

Dolly 3.jpg

[PNWTim]

That looks pretty nice. I opted for a cart but I guess same/same although you will have greater access to the underside/middle. I am curious re: how tall you made it. I built mine so I could work sitting down (fundamentally lazy I guess) but it looks like you did the opposite and went for a working height while standing? Or maybe you're splitting the difference. Either way, it will work well.

[Smiley]

That looks pretty nice. I opted for a cart but I guess same/same although you will have greater access to the underside/middle. I am curious re: how tall you made it. I built mine so I could work sitting down (fundamentally lazy I guess) but it looks like you did the opposite and went for a working height while standing? Or maybe you're splitting the difference. Either way, it will work well.

Thanks Tim,

Me lazy too

My goal was to keep most of the initial work between my belt and shoulders while seated on my work stool (my stool goes from 18-24” off the floor). Sitting on the stool I guesstimated what height that most of the work would be at, I hope I guessed well.

While I don’t mind standing, with my back surgery, I want to keep bending over to a minimum. I hope to have a four post lift installed by the time it’s a roller.

Best, Steve

[Smiley]

Loaded up and on it's way

I received these this afternoon from Matt C at Factory Five.

While depth perception in pictures is tough, it looks like my Coupe is in the back of the trailer close to the door, I hope that means it arrives sooner rather than later, we'll see I guess.





It looks like I'm getting this posting pictures thingy down although they are still awfully big

[PNWTim]

Loaded up and on it's way

I received these this afternoon from Matt C at Factory Five.

While depth perception in pictures is tough, it looks like my Coupe is in the back of the trailer close to the door, I hope that means it arrives sooner rather than later, we'll see I guess.





It looks like I'm getting this posting pictures thingy down although they are still awfully big

Yours is definitely at the rear of the trailer. Those booms you see making the "x" swing out to extend the trolley for unloading. And for what it's worth, I like the big pictures - it saves a click.

[8secDuster]

Oh Man! Almost home Steve!

[bcorner]

Hey neighbor, I’m in Jacksonville, FL. My build is set for 01/25/25. I’m going with vintage Wheels 15x7.5 and 9.5 with custom backspace. So won’t need spacers. Do you perchance go to the Caffine and Octain at the Avenues? Would love to meet up and talk shop with a fellow builder.

So I pulled the trigger today, November 22, 2024, and placed my order for a Type 65 Coupe, I got the last coupe production slot for 2024, projected completion date of approximately December 28, 2024. Happy New Year to me.

I also ordered the engine and transmission from BluePrint.

Here is my proposed build list:

From Factory Five Racing:
Type 65 Coupe Complete kit
302/351 mounts
2015 IRS
GPS gauges
Powder coated
18” Vintage Halibrand wheels
Cut outs traced
Leather steering wheel
Carpet
Floor mat
Battery cutoff switch
Front and rear sway-bars

From BluePrint Engines:
427 EFI stroker with 4R70W auto transmission

From Forte:
Mustang 2015 IRS 3.55 center section, spindles and hubs
Surge tank
Mechanical throttle linkage
Dual brake reservoirs

From Gordon Levy:
14” Aero 6 front brakes
14” Aero 4 rear brakes
E parking brake

From Gas’n:
Headers
Touring side pipes

From Boig:
Cool Tubes - upper and lower

From FormaCars:
Power windows
HVAC system

Misc:
VRaptor Coupe side louvers
Wolfbox rearview mirror camera
Quicklatch rear hatch latch
Lokar 4R70W floor shifter
Twist Machine paddle shifter
WWK-21 windshield wipers
Breeze fan shroud
Cruise control
Warmseats seat heaters

I will strive to post as the build progresses and I will update the build list as things progress or change.

Thanks for watching,

Steve

[Smiley]

I just received “the call” from the Stewart driver, Eric I think, my Coupe will be delivered Sunday morning. I guess I’m going to Saturday night mass.

[8secDuster]

That's Awesome !

[TBull]

Steve,
I wish I would have known. I'd have given you my old dolly. Also be aware the club does have certain tools available to borrow, plus 4 corner scales when you are ready.

[Smiley]

Steve,
I wish I would have known. I'd have given you my old dolly. Also be aware the club does have certain tools available to borrow, plus 4 corner scales when you are ready.

Thanks Dan, no worries, I needed to do something to keep my mind busy waiting for Stewart to call anyway and I had the scrap lumber laying around. Are you going to be able to help on Sunday? I’m providing hot coffee and donuts along with mid- teen temperatures

[Smiley]

I received a call from Eric at Stewart, in order to beat the cold front he delivered a day early. YAY!

Unloading onto the dolly


With a little help from my friends


Resting comfortably


My son trying it on


The delivery truck parked at our shop

[PNWTim]

Hey, hey, let's get to work! Delivery day is kind of like no other, just really cool. Congrats!

[JimStone]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[Smiley]

I couldn’t have done it without the help of the guys from the Gateway Cobra Club.

With only four hour notice, and the only way to reach out being on the club website, five of them (Kevin, Rich, Jim, Tim, and Regan) showed up and made short work of the unloading and photo documentation, what a great bunch of guys. I may have been able to do it without them, but there is no way it would have gone as smoothly. Thanks guys, you’re the best.

Steve