Okay, I admit it. My 3 year old, daily driver FFR Cobra is slightly damaged. It's slight despite a 50 mph rear end hit into some unnamed guard rail along I-4 in Orlando. Thanks to one of our daily torrential downpours and a tourist from Michigan who "just wanted to get a closer look."

But this is not about a dillweed tourist. It's about integrity of design, good engineering, probably less than excellent driving skills, and a demerit for the naysayers of other Cobra web sites.

The hit was square in the rear...right where those quick jack bolts are supposed to rupture my gas tank and blow me into Pinto oblivion. Not the case at all. The quick jack bolts simply slid aside, the fuel cutoff switch shut down the fuel pump (and electricity to the rear lights...I have it rigged that way), the fuel cell wasn't touched, and the carbon fiber body looked like it has a Volvo crumple zone halfway up the trunk from side to side. The 3/4" subframe absorbed the hit, as did the aluminum trunk panels and carbon body. Ralph Nader would be proud. And so should the pros at Factory Five.

I would have hated to experienced this crash in a Mustang, or Toyota, or even a Volvo. Damage certainly would have hit the $20K mark and the car would never be the same. But my Cobra still drives perfectly (sans taillights ) and speedy repairs are underway.

Thank you Factory Five, for engineering safety in and designing defect out.

Maybe that's why I'm an authorized FFR builder...because the FFR cars I build are designed to be safe. After all, any idiot can go fast, but how many are safe and can walk away with a smile?

Peace.

Al Kamhi

PS: Pictures to follow