FFR MK4 . Some great new additions

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

You can still digitize a car and then make changes to fit your application. The great thing about today's modeling software is that it allows the user to tweek and not lose critical proportions. In other words, and as an example, If FFR needed to length the vertical space between the bottom of the door to the bottom of the sill to fit their frame mounting points, they could enlarge the entire area from the top of the door to the bottom of the sill and forward to the front wheel arch so they keep the relative shape and perspective and the changes become less notable.



You really believe that? You really believe that what they've been able to accomplished is far less of a feat than making IRS standard rather than optional? Nonsense. The same could be said about struts vs. A arms. Regardless, I believe the FFR Spec series still require solid axle.



The additional beauty of this forum is that you can quickly distinguish between those who have first hand experience and those that may be biased for one reason or another.

I guess the Fall Foliage Cruise won't be including FFRs any longer.

I don't know what any of this discussion has to do with the Fall Cruise, but it's really taking on a tone that has "taking my toys" feel to it. Which is too bad, have a hot dog and read it all through again... one thing our shop has always been is open door to owners of all replica makes.

Regardless, I am a distributor and NOT a manufacturer. If a manufacturer has something to distribute that I feel is better for me or the market I can explore it and go with it. For now I am quite happy where I am. If another manufacturer improves their product HURRAY, that means my manufacturer will step up too (if it is warranted).

I have experienced the benefits overall of a little more wheelbase and some more track width coupled to an IRS and I don't want to compromise and give that up... sorry if that does not fit your preference. Quite a few stunning cars out there I would never be comfortable to throw around the street.

My point on the digitized body is now you have a scan of that body and you obviously have some form of plot of the new body, if you want to demonstrate how close you came then show that. I have no dog in the fight for "accuracy" when it comes to the lines, I am happy to see improvements wherever they may be.

But it is too early for anyone to get all hopped up on the authentic body claim when all you have is a couple forklift photos... let it develop. ERA has been offering a beautiful "historic" body for 20+ years in a kit form BTW

[TButtrick]

Jay,

Seriously man. We are ALL waiting for the 13th and there seems to be many more than just FFR owners that are jacked about the news. Many of the comments I read, while sitting here eating my hot dog, regarding differences from #198 to the MK4 are coming from current FFR owners. Other than someone unearthing an already-been-beatin-to-death problem, I don't see any other unhealthy tone here other than sour grapes.

IRS is superior. Nobody stated otherwise and it will be on my next FFR. Make it standard and they'll raise the cost which doesn't seem to fit well with FFR's build-it-yourself and build-it-cheap strategy. But until my next IRS build, if these guys are comfortable throwing solid axles around, then it works for me.

[Cashburn]

Is Patrick 2' under snow or what I am seriously jonesing for a Blackies dog though after all that.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Is Patrick 2' under snow or what

It's going to be soooo bad that I'm actually following this FFR thread.

[jmimac351]

FFR shared another photo:

[jmimac351]

Comparison:

(I didn't do this)

[jmimac351]

It's all over but the crying.

And for all of the years of talk about FFR and what's wrong with them... yeah that's ok to say. Kudos to those guys.

It's good to be a cobra customer these days.

[Cashburn]

Is this the Dominos Pizza approach? I kid, I kid. The new car really is a major leap for the FFRmy ... it's all good.

[jmimac351]

That comparison shot looks kinda freakish to me. Have I been wearing cobra beer goggles all this time?

[mr bruce]

http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

[jmimac351]

CSX 3035


Mirrored-image 4000 Series


Mirrored-image FFR mk4


Kirkham

[Bill D]

The rollbar is still too straight. But owners can fix that rather easily

[Buzz]

That is a fantastic improvement! Kudos to FFR for the metamorphosis. An entire new set of customers has just been potentially added to Factory Five's already considerable market share.

The appeal of a big block Cobra is more than just blazing performance, a few styling cues and street cred. There is a subtle and difficult to quantify athletic beauty in the lines, stance and proportions that was not contrived by a stylist in a studio. These qualities were the by-product of a perfect storm of necessary modifications to an already attractive shape that accidentally made the Cobra one of the most appealing automotive shapes of all time.

The evolution of the FFR roadster, regardless of anyone's agenda or affiliations, cannot be downplayed and is a major development in the Cobra Replica industry.

[aks801]

Buzz: well said.

[Buzz]

I was curious. Not all replicas can gracefully hold up to the unadorned scrutiny of the street configuration. No changes to the body other than color, removal of pipes, scoop, gas cap recess and roll bar along with addition of tailpipe and bumpers. hmmmmmm...

[cscobra]

Too much rocker panel, making the car look "high" and "stubby," rather than low and sleek.

Still an improvement, though.

[Buzz]

Yes, there is a bit of extra depth in the rocker - an issue one sees on a few replicas; Contemporary and Everett Morrison and to a lesser extent, Spf. The improvement in the positioning of the sidepipes (higher) offsets the effect and the increased "droop" in the nose and tail help to compensate as well. I would really like to see a front quarter view that shows the relationship of the wheel/tire to the fender and body.

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I would really like to see a front quarter view that shows the relationship of the wheel/tire to the fender and body.

[Buzz]

Thanks jmimac. The rear fender shape looks good and the line of the front fender curves nicely down into the headlights. The rear tire sticks out just a wee bit, but it's minor and quite probably fixable with a wheel size/offset adjustment. The overall look of the MK IV is quite good. Not the most dead nuts accurate out there (within the range of original car variations); but far more "correct" appearing than many - including one or two that are often touted as being faithful to the original car.

[RACERAL]