New Cobra Owner Here!

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 03:10 PM

I will be a FFR owner come Saturday, June 14th. My dream has finally came true. : )

I was looking at some various pictures of replica/authentic Cobras. Is it me, or do the FF's look a little off? Either way, I'm happy to be an owner...but there's just something different that I can't put my finger on. Can someone tell me?

Thanks,

Brent

Brent Mills · #2 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 03:30 PM

Congrats Brent. There are some which are more authentic looking, but you got a good kit, and one that many are more than happy with! Probably the most distinctive difference is that the rear appears a little more propped up than others. Is it assembled or in kit form? Regardless, post some pictures in your gallery when you have them.

Fred Douglass · #3 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 03:31 PM

I live about 15 miles from the FFR factory in Wareham, and I've been to several of their open houses. What I've learned is
that they used an existing set of molds for their bodies--some say Contemporary. The other view came from my own observations of Butler cars---(I'm a brand new owner of a used Butler myself)---the Butlers have "built up" widened but not raised rear fenders. The Butlers are able to mount hugely-wide rims and tires in the resulting space, provided that the Jag rear is moved an inch or so aft to avoid the seats. The FFR appears to have the opposite modifications. The rear wheel-well stays within Cobra specs but has a higher build-up or profile. There seems to be a narrow "crown" to the rear fender.
That's the only difference I've seen. I DO know a lot of owners of various makes have compained that 295s and 305s (on 15" rims) "rub". Most people fix this by going to 17" rims and lower-profile tires. They then can get 335s on SPFs, etc. with ease.
Hope this helps.

blykins · #4 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 03:39 PM

Thanks for your input guys. I'm extremely excited about owning one. I have been hand assembling a 425ci Windsor stroker for the past two years in anticipation on putting it in a Cobra.

The Cobra I have bought is in kit form. I arranged with FFR to obtain delivery in 6 months so I could get some other things in order prior to putting it together. I still received the kit for $10990, so it was a bargain to me.

I suppose that is the difference I'm seeing. The rearend seems a little high. I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Some look more authentic than others. I've noticed that John's Cobra (www.my427sc.com) looks pretty close. When comparing dead-on side shots, the rearend doesn't look as high. Maybe it's the fact that he's taken other stakes in making his true to form.

Thanks for all your help. I'm looking forward to being a part of the club.

Brent

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 03:47 PM

I've noticed that FFR and SPF share a common trait in how the license plate light\mount is mounted on a "hump" in the middle of the trunk.

FFR has a somewhat larger "hump" in the middle than the SPF. I always wondered WHY they did that???? The original cars have a smooth flowing trunk surface (no "hump").

In addition the rear fenders on the FFR either:
1. Come up to high revealing the lower edge of the gas tank. Add this to the license plate mounting "hump" and you get what is often referred to as the "FFR perky butt" syndrome?
2. The rear fenders are "right" and the gas tank mounting is to "low"?

What ever it is, it makes an FFR pretty easy to pick out from the "crowd", even at a distance. Some like it, others don't, it is what it is!

Ernie

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2003, 05:35 PM

Thanks for your input guys. I'm extremely excited about owning one. I have been hand assembling a 425ci Windsor stroker for the past two years in anticipation on putting it in a Cobra.

The Cobra I have bought is in kit form. I arranged with FFR to obtain delivery in 6 months so I could get some other things in order prior to putting it together. I still received the kit for $10990, so it was a bargain to me.

I suppose that is the difference I'm seeing. The rearend seems a little high. I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Some look more authentic than others. I've noticed that John's Cobra (www.my427sc.com) looks pretty close. When comparing dead-on side shots, the rearend doesn't look as high. Maybe it's the fact that he's taken other stakes in making his true to form.

Thanks for all your help. I'm looking forward to being a part of the club.

Brent