[Roger Stine]

I'll add a little to Don Depontee's post. Ten years ago I collected info for most of the kit Cobra outfits. Cost was not a big priority for me but I was not satisfied with any of them based on the need for foreign car parts and some bodies that weighed as much as a Boston Whaler. My limited experience with 289 and 427 Cobras was based on the success of AC cars with a proven chassis and aluminum bodies.

In May 1997 a friend came by my boat yard with a new copy of SuperFord to show me an ad by Factory Five Racing. Based on the frame specs, aluminum panels and lightweight body I was sold. Within an hour I called them and ordered an FFR MK I Cobra kit for the dirt cheap price of $9,900 plus shipping. In a month the crate arrived and the frame was everything they advertised, I upgraded to one of their few 51 lb carbon fiber bodies.

In six weeks the car was driveable and painted Viking blue. Off I went to Willow Springs for driving lessons with COCOA, the best thing I ever did.

Two years later I retrofited in the new FFR IRS system, sway bars, Porterfield brake pads and the longer dropped footboxes.

We've been to Run and Gun, several Snakes to Lake, open track events by the dozens and four Dick and Heather Smith Coastal Cruises.

Most of our street driving is in an SUV with air bags.

Roger