Mark V Unveiling

[Danomatic]

Anybody else see the unveiling of the Mark V. Lots of big changes. New frame, better panel fitments and the hardtop. Altogether it probably cuts 30-40 % the build time. Especially the new molds that make it look easy. I spent more time with body prep work than anything else building the Mark IV and it's far from perfect. It still looks good but the adjustments are max'd out. The hard top is nice and it's removable. It would be very interesting to find out if the hardtop will fit a Mark IV.

[Dgc333]

IMG_20250118_102957911_HDR_AE.jpg

I was there today and did ask about the hardtop fitting the Mk4. Officially they are saying no.

[cv2065]

Anybody else see the unveiling of the Mark V. Lots of big changes. New frame, better panel fitments and the hardtop. Altogether it probably cuts 30-40 % the build time. Especially the new molds that make it look easy. I spent more time with body prep work than anything else building the Mark IV and it's far from perfect. It still looks good but the adjustments are max'd out. The hard top is nice and it's removable. It would be very interesting to find out if the hardtop will fit a Mark IV.

Where are you finding a 40% reduction in build time?

[fauxbra5.0]

Where are you finding a 40% reduction in build time?

I believe he misheard Jeff when he said it reduces the prep work required by the painter to get the body into primer by 40-50%. I can't forsee the build time being dramatically changed since all of the steps are still there.

Also, great to see how much Dave Smith respects and admires guys like Jeff, Ron, and the third parties.

[gbranham]

Yeah, the reduction in effort is for bodywork. Besides, who would want the total effort to build reduced by 40%? The build is the best part of these cars!

Greg

[egchewy79]

That hardtop looks sleek. Does the lip on the back of the top come up to access the trunk?

[Higgybulin]

IMG_20250118_102957911_HDR_AE.jpg

I was there today and did ask about the hardtop fitting the Mk4. Officially they are saying no.

Can't confirm or deny but the MK4 and MK5 bodies are basically the same. The difference is in the roll bars. Pretty much anything can be made to fit.
Higgy

[John4337]

Here's a video from FFR on showing more on the top

https://youtu.be/301gv1V89y4?si=F7WugQJvK6lBVnLT

[egchewy79]

That's quite the process. I can't envision swapping back and forth with the hardtop. I also didn't realize that the hardtop had it's own windshield.

[bil1024]

Looks good, still prefer the 427 hardtop though

[GoDadGo]

I Am 100% Impressed!
I was upset when they said they were getting rid of the round tube chassis.
My big take away is Dave and his team knocked it out of the park.
This car changes everything but in a very good way.

[John4337]

Odd that there is no mention of side windows

[GoDadGo]

Odd that there is no mention of side windows

I wonder if they could use Lexan windows that hinged via split style hinge at the A-Pillar?
The windows could swing out and be removed; however, they'd stay in place when latched.

[narly1]

I'm interested to see if and how some of the newest thinking incorporated into the MK5 gets ported over over to their other products: forged suspension arms, better body molds/shorter mold life cycles.

Earl

[TrackDay17]

Odd that there is no mention of side windows

Read on Facebook somewhere where someone asked about windows, FFR said they are working on it and it would probably be something like the Type 65 that lifts up and down.

[ProfessorB]

Regarding the hardtop, I LOVE the look (sleek, as somebody commented) but I would NOT want one. It looks like a REAL PITA to install and remove. It's kind of getting away from the original idea of the hardtop....something you can pop on and off on a whim. Not this thing! I wonder how many cars will have scrapes and scratches where the windshield bracket goes in and out. No thanks.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Can't confirm or deny but the MK4 and MK5 bodies are basically the same. The difference is in the roll bars. Pretty much anything can be made to fit.
Higgy

They look the same in the end but the only thing that has not changed between the Mk4 and Mk5 is the trunk lid.

Jeff

[Rian_Colorado]

Anyone seen the self cancelling turn signals yet? I thought that was a pretty interesting announcement....

[JohnK]

They look the same in the end but the only thing that has not changed between the Mk4 and Mk5 is the trunk lid.

Jeff

Hey Jeff, I watched the announcement video and there was a good amount of discussion about some of the body changes, i.e., doors fitting better, transitions from door to body improved, etc. I'm curious to know if this new body has addressed some of the historical issues with regard to lack of symmetry in various places?

[Kbl7td]

I was excited about the hardtop but not so much anymore.

427 hardtops takes the cake here. Hopefully that still fits the body lines.

If it doesn’t fit then it looks like something other than a ford can finally be put in the car ��

[CraigS]

I had an APE top on my MkII. The side windows were easily removed and I redid the rear window so it was fairly easy also. Not being a fan of sitting in the sun it turned out that the top never came off the car. The windows went on and off according to the temp. If I were to order a MkV the only reason I'd even buy the standard trunk and w/s would be for resale value because I'd never install them.

[Erik W. Treves]

Side windows are like the 65 Coupe

[Railroad]

There seems to be some misalignment of the gas filler notch in the top. Posing this for Jeff, does that look like like a lot of work?
Just wondering, I will be in my Mk IV, forever.

[rich grsc]

I had an APE top on my MkII. The side windows were easily removed and I redid the rear window so it was fairly easy also. Not being a fan of sitting in the sun it turned out that the top never came off the car. The windows went on and off according to the temp. If I were to order a MkV the only reason I'd even buy the standard trunk and w/s would be for resale value because I'd never install them.

I agree. If I put on the hard top, it would stay on, and that one looks so damn good.

[bartock]

Anyone seen the self cancelling turn signals yet? I thought that was a pretty interesting announcement....

Will be cool if they include those in the kits! I got one from Frank (i.e. 427) and it looks great, and works as advertised.

[Jeff Kleiner]

There seems to be some misalignment of the gas filler notch in the top. Posing this for Jeff, does that look like like a lot of work?
Just wondering, I will be in my Mk IV, forever.

The top on the silver prototype is a pre-production fiberglass version. The production tops will be carbon fiber and will have revisions made to improve fit.

Jeff

[JCB52]

IMO they did a great job with the MK5 hard top. But, the Cobra is a roadster with its unique lines and making it a coupe changes this charismatic look. If I wanted a coupe, I’d build a type 65. Also, for us old guys, getting in and out of a low coupe has its own issues. This old guy also has an old wife, need I say more.

[Mike.Bray]

IMO they did a great job with the MK5 hard top. But, the Cobra is a roadster with its unique lines and making it a coupe changes this charismatic look. If I wanted a coupe, I’d build a type 65. Also, for us old guys, getting in and out of a low coupe has its own issues. This old guy also has an old wife, need I say more.

one hundred percent agree!

[Jeff Kleiner]

IMO they did a great job with the MK5 hard top. But, the Cobra is a roadster with its unique lines and making it a coupe changes this charismatic look. If I wanted a coupe, I’d build a type 65. Also, for us old guys, getting in and out of a low coupe has its own issues. This old guy also has an old wife, need I say more.

I'm old and getting into and out of the Mk5 is not difficult. It's pretty much the same as getting into and out of any low sports car with a roof; Miata, Toyota 86/ Subi BRZ, Boxter/Cayman, etc. It's a WHOLE lot easier than a Type 65 Coupe!

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

I'm old and getting into and out of the Mk5 is not difficult. It's pretty much the same as getting into and out of any low sports car with a roof; Miata, Toyota 86/ Subi BRZ, Boxter/Cayman, etc. It's a WHOLE lot easier than a Type 65 Coupe!

Jeff

I'm the guy in the video when I had my Viper

[rich grsc]

Getting in & out of a Type 65, is like being a one legged man at an a$$ kicking contest.

[John4337]

Here i am getting in my Mk 4 with a top. If the V has more room, probably wont be too bad.

https://youtu.be/yI1ve0vSB0Q?feature=shared