I bought a new Hurricane!!

[dlampe]

Look, I will say this. The body is more accurate than the FFR or the SPF. The glass work is much better than the FFR's I have seen and worked on. The parts fit together much better too. This car is not intended to be a low cost kit to build. It is a top line kit that comes with everything you need to complete the project except what is listed as not included. I will say what others might not. There are differences in kits. Some are better for one reason or another. Some offer better customer service, some are more accurate, some are easier to build, some are cheaper, some are completely done when they arrive. FOR ME, this is the most accurate kit for the money. The ERA is more expensive and similar in quality. As far as I know, there have only been 3 people visit the new facility and see the changes done to the car. The other 2 know what I am talking about. That is why I immediately bought one when I saw what they have been up to. I don't think this is a competitor with SPF or FFR. Just different markets.

The company was purchased by a company in Dallas who ended up in some kind of SEC trouble. They never unpacked the stuff before it was purchased by some good ole boys from Iowa.

TButtrick, you might be right with your sense of smell!

Somedayaurora, this kit is totally different than FFR. It will likely cost you more to build. It will also be easier to build and is more complete than the FFR builds I have witnessed. Although it is untested, I think when it is finished you will have a car worth more money given similar drive train and personal choices. I built the "98" car they currently use for advertising and I traded it for a very nice Kirkham roller.

I really don't want to turn this into a "who has the better kit" thread, but I will answer your questions based on my experience with many different cars and car companies.

[gsharapa]

Hey Dean,

See the Hurricane that just came up for sale on clubcobra?

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=2647&cat=2

Alfredo is the guy I sold my black with gold stripes SPF too in Mexico about 5 years ago....He's selling Kirkhams and some Hurricanes. I like the aluminum pieces he did on this car........

[somedayaurora]

Thanks Dlampe , that was very helpful . I have been pouring over there website , and I have got too say the kit looks very nice and also a little less intimidating too build then the others I've seen . Am I correct in assuming the "new" kit is even easier too assemble than the original Hurricane ?
Happy Holidays
SDR
________
HERBALAIRE

[gsharapa]

Nicely stated Dean on the different kits. My first Cobra was a Component Craft (which is the past Hurricane), Superformance (4 of them) and then a Kirkham FIA. They all were very nice Cobras unique in their own ways. Picking a manufacture is a personal choice based on a lot of factors ie; your budget, where you live, what you want to do with the cobra, how much of it you want to build, big block or small block, 427 or FIA, what your friends may have or had, customer service, how original it is etc........
I like what I'm hearing on this new Hurricane and it's just nice to see another one out there to choose from. Can't wait to see your build thread!

[khansmith]

I like both the FFR and the Hurricane. When I went to the FFR build school and spent quality time with the FFR car, I noticed that the body would be a challenge. My hurricane body was by no means perfect but it required less work than the FFR. If FFR ever correct their molds (i.e. Get rid of perky butt, move mold seams from top of fenders to side, etc) they will have an even better product. In fact, I would love to build their ffr coupe!

[Kit Cars Mexico]

I have built more than 40 Cobras in our shop (three Hurricanes HM1040 that I am selling http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=2647&cat=2, HM1045 and HM1114) and when I decided to import some to Mexico after looking at many of them, I chose two levels or markets, Kirkham (for me the best) and Hurricane, the second was very easy to build and the price was very competitive.
I decided to put the aluminum panels and the tubular steel frames to give it a nice touch of originality.


Alfredo

[cj428]

I'd like to thank all who have responded to this thread, especially the OP, DLAMPE. I am one of those people who have been on the sidelines trying to decide for literally years. I have followed this forum as well as the FFR forum and researched and looked at many many finished replicas. I would have done a FFR years ago but I just can't get by the body shape changes FFR choose to do. I love their frame, the subframe, the aluminum panels, even the outer shape of the front part of the body. I could even live with the additional body work, but that rear end sticking up and the trunk in particular are 2 things that would hit me every time I looked at it. And before anyone accuses me of flaming FFR, I am only stating my opinion and choices for what I want my car to be and have the body look as close to original as possible (in this price range). I realize (because I was around to see originals in the sixties) that all kits have variations from the original. I do want to build myself so that eliminates some makes, and unfortunately even if it was still offered, a Kirkham "in a box" is a little out of my budget. I have to agree with DLAMPE that from what I can see so far, this new Hurricane looks like it may be the one I will finally get and build this coming year because it looks to be as close to what I want overall, and within my budget. Again I appreciate the responses from everyone, especially the honest opinions from those who have the experience. I don't see how in anyway your advice and truthfulness can be construed as being negative or blasting any other company. Hopefully I haven't offended anyone because that was sincerely not my intent. Hope you all had a GREAT Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Bill

[Kit Cars Mexico]

Here is my HM1045 build thread if someone wants to see more of these Hurricane Kits:

http://forum.hurricane-motorsports.c...m=1151629002/0

Alfredo Canalizo

[danc30]

I'll weigh in. Mine took 9 months to build just spending nights and weekends on it in a small 2 car garage. (full time job back then). The build was actually very fun, but the driving is even better......

I'm mechanically inclined but have never built a car before, it was easy for me. A few rough spots, but keep at it and you'll figure it out. I like to tell people the glove box was the hardest part of the build......

I also researched a lot of companies before deciding on HMS. Hurricane had the best all around kit for me and had everything to build it included, zip ties, shrink tubing for the wiring, elect. crimpers, even a test light for the wiring.

Again, just my opinion. Do some research and come to your own conclusion.

I will be building another Hurricane as soon as I get all my ducks in a row.

Dan

[somedayaurora]

Originally Posted by Kit Cars Mexico

Here is my HM1045 build thread if someone wants to see more of these Hurricane Kits:

http://forum.hurricane-motorsports.c...m=1151629002/0

Alfredo

Getting an error message ?
SDR
________
Bmw museum

[Kit Cars Mexico]

You need to login as a guest if not an owner...

Alfredo

[somedayaurora]

Wow I feel dum lol (dumb), thanks I'll try that .
SDR
________
Buy Herbalaire Vaporizer

[TButtrick]

somedayaurora,

I didn't offer up any comparisons as I haven't seen the changes that Dean has and I haven't built a Hurricane kit. I love my FFR but the body shape is nowhere near as authentic as the Hurricane. Authenticity will be more important to you than anyone else. Authenticity has become more and more important to me over the years and given the changes to the Hurricane frame that Dean has alluded to, I'd have a difficult time passing it by today. What I like about both kits is the use of late model, lower cost suspension stuff which lends itself well to easy upgrades and performance tweaking.

I have about 400 hours and north of $50K in my FFR ride. I have 70,000 miles of seat time logged and I have zero regrets. My relationship with FFR has gone way beyond just a kit car company and a customer. The support I've received over the years has been priceless and not just for the product. Any company will have a percentage of unhappy customers. The magnitude of that percentage can only be determined by research with visits to the facility AND with the company's customers.

I don't think you'd go wrong with Hurricane and I wish the new company all the success in the world. If you have time on your side, then it may be smart to observe from the sidelines how the company delivers on the product and supports it down the road. If I had bought a Hurricane kit when it was introduced and the company hadn't been revived, I wouldn't be feeling to good about acquiring kit-specific parts when the time comes and it WILL come. Sh!t happens and it happens often in the kit car world. Whichever kit you choose, don't build it yourself to save a dime. We don't build these cars to save money. We build these cars to save our sanity. If you're not comfortable with the build, then go the roller route. FFR does not have a roller offering.

Have a Blast!! You're in for some pretty exciting times.

[somedayaurora]

Great post Buttrick . You have given me some great insight and a lot too think about . I gotta say " don't build too save money " may be the best advice I have been given . In this economy maybe I should try too go used . Thanks again .
happy holidays
SDR
________
Xr Falcon

[gsharapa]

Been re-reading a bunch of the posts and popping into many of the current Hurricane owners pics and your chassis's look fantastic on many of your cars and have to admit the body does have more of an original look. My first Cobra back in the mid 90s was a Component Craft (Father to Hurricane) which I bought used but I forgot just how much aluminum work is on the car, which I really like. I moved to Superformance (had 4) basically because of their quality, finished roller and their dealers are fantastic to work with. With all the cars I have had including building a few street rods over the years I was at a point where I just wanted to do the engine, drivetrain and finishing of a Cobra vs a complete build which is where I'm again today. After my last SPF, moved to a GTD GT 40, Kirkham FIA, 1965 GT350R race car clone to landing on a 2007 Shelby GT500. Miss the Cobras and ready to come home and do another one so really been researching this new Hurricane in fact I was about to pull the trigger on another SPF (couple roller deals out there) until I heard about this new Hurricane. Talked to the factory numerious times over the last 5 days (including one of the owners) and I have to say I'm extremely impressed with what they are offering including a complete roller with other options which is what I would want. Of course since their 1st car (factory demo) won't be done until the mid to late January I can only make my observations on what I have read, talking to Hurricane, current Hurricane owners and others that have been up to see the new operation. This has given me a lot to consider

[rustyBob]

Gary give them a chance to get production up and running they are new at this and it sounds like Steve and everybody involved wants to get it right the first time.
they are willing to listen to former and present customers and make improvements
and thats more than can be said for some companys.
i don't think you can go wrong with Hurricane in the past or in the future.

[fastraxsg]

I've got 1081 from Hurricane and while I'm not more than half done, its been fun and so far, I haven't had to spend time looking for parts and odds and ends. I'm not really mechanical and when i have had questions, the Hurricane forum has been really helpful and the other owners have been fantastic, even while the company was going through "resturcturing". I went with a Hurricane cause they were the only ones who would build a right hand drive car, not a simple task when you only build left hand drive. They delivered as promised. So did their product and it sounds like it is going to be even better this time around.
ken

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Can you share more details on their IRS?

I haven't seen anyone take a shot at this so I'll try....when I visited Hurricane in Lee's Summit I saw their "cage" and talked to them about the workings. They use(d?) the 8.8" IRS differential/associated parts from a Thunderbird SuperCoupe or a Cougar XR7. Standard Ford parts, often available for reasonable prices in salvage yards.

Here are a few photos of their "cage" (Sorry for the poor quality of these photos):

Originally Posted by gsharapa

Are they only doing the 427 version or FIA289 also?

Well, now, that's the $64,000 question, isn't it? I saw the 289 development project in Lee's Summit, too, liked it very much. It had the standard 289 style fishmouth with an oil cooler scoop below it. When I saw it, it was no more than the body sitting on a frame, but discussions regarding the project revealed that it would be nothing more than a styling exercise, and if the 289 were offered as a kit it would use the existing Hurricane 427 frame/suspension. The 289 body I saw was not an accurate FIA replica, lacking at least the "bumps" on the trunk for FIA required luggage, but like I said, it was just a development mule at the time.

Originally Posted by dlampe

Gary, I didn't see the FIA body lying around anywhere. I know Hurricane had one in KC but no mold. I don't know what might of happened to it.

I do .....patience, all, it may yet see the light of day (and before anyone asks, no, it's not mine, DAMNIT!!).

At the time that the company was in Arlington, TX, there were quite a few developments in progress (although, in actuality, they may well have been in development when the company was in Lee's Summit). Here's a few photos of the "tub" showing the footboxes molded in "white", a detail that seems exciting b/c it more closely replicates the original:







Look carefully and you can see the "dimples" added to the rear wheelwells to allow greater adjustability for the seats....one of the many Hurricane product improvements over the originals!

Like others have said, Dean, I can't wait to see your build thread.....knowing your affection for the Hurricane, I'd say it'll be one fine production!!

Dugly

[LMH]

Interesting photo's of the IRS cage. I switched mine to IRS from the live axle. Has been a lot of work as the aluminum differential with heavy duty rear cover was just different enough at the mounts that I had to make new ones for it. Oh well!

BTW, I got my key chain and hat from the new Hurricane owners! Very cool!
Thanks guys!
Larry

[PaulProe]

Dugliness,
Your pictures might be outdated. There have been substantial changes in the IRS mounting frame on the Hurricane.

The picture on their website is more representative of the unit: Hurricane IRS

You may have taken pictures of their prototype unit as it does appear similar to current production but it is not as your pictures show it. Not criticizing your post, just adding corrected info

Paul P