Shell Valley vs Factory Five

[ROMANBUILT]

Guys,

Need some help here.

Was almost 100% set on factory five, then met a builder of Shell Valley and saw a car locally on Monday. Was impressed with the builder and the way he presented SV. What is the concensus out there, what are your thoughts on SV, are they better than F5?

Would love to here from some Shell Valley customers, to see if they are happy with the product. Anyone have an opinion or a suggestion for me before I lay out the green.

Thanks

Romanbuilt

[Excaliber]

If your having the car BUILT for you, the MAIN thing is to find a builder your happy with, no matter which car you select.

As to which is the "better" car, I wouldn't hazard a guess there! To many variables on the "option" list.

Ernie

[Cobra20646]

Have to agree with Ernie. A good builder can make anything look good. The home built, most expensive car will probably not look too good when done by a first time owner/builder.

And again like Ernie said.... too many variables and options between kits to make any kind of comparison in general terms.

[Cracker]

I too was completely sold on F5 for a few years while saving up for my cobra but in the end choose a Contemporary Classic Car. One thing to consider is how you are to use your car. I have - post purchase invested (lost) thousands in upgrades to meet my standards and my cars primary purpose (road race car). I don't know much about SV but I am aware that F5 has a competent chasis and flexible option list to build mild to wild to suit your needs. Best of luck and remember - do it right the 1st time or you will pay later!

Tony Hull

[hog]

I have a Shell Valley I purchased in June of 2002. I had looked at the Factory Five but did not like the donor concept. I have about completed my Shell Valley with the exception of getting it painted. It should be painted by the 1st of June. They delivered the car to my door. I did not have to arrange for shipping. They have been very good to work with. Any questions they were happy to answer. My suggestion would be to order as complete a kit as you can. Maybe not assembled but all of the parts needed to assemble. The assembly was very easy. Everything fit well. The Cobra has all numbers needed to register. I had no problem getting it registered. I am very satisfied with my kit. If you have any particular questions please E-Mail me.
Joe

[Excaliber]

I don't have a problem with the "donor" concept myself. Actually most manufacturers use a "donor" concept, they just have the parts re-built or re-manufactured. The concept is still good if your using a late model Mustang wrecked with low miles and using older Mustang parts that your haveing rebuilt.

Don't like the Mustang parts? Lots of up-grade after market NEW or REBUILT parts to select from. Thats mostly what the "big dogs" are doing, selecting quality parts which in many cases are still "donor" parts!

A professional "builder" of Cobra's is not likely to use "used parts" right out of a wrecked or "donor" car. Thus, the quality is assumed to be better when it is done by a "builder".

When the car is assembled by a regular guy in his garage, it may or may not be "better". It will be really hard to tell WHERE the "donor" parts came from and in WHAT condition they were really in! The price may be very attractive and the car could be of superb quality. Makes it tough to buy used or home built unless you really know what to look for.

Ernie

[Rick Carnahan]

I am in the process of building a SV have had the car 6or7 weeks
and so far I love it the build is going great the parts are all there and they fit. When I do need some help the folks at SV are right there and happy to help. I did have one part that was not rite
I just called them and they sent a new one out I had it in 3 days.
My first kit was a CR and the search for parts just burned me out on it, but with the SV it realy is ALL there so the fun is in the build.
just my thoughts on it

[Dirty Harry]

I simply won't bad-mouth another man's car, but I like my SV pretty well. When I bought it, I knew it wasn't the most accurate replica. I knew it wasn't the most technologically sophisticated. I knew it wasn't likely to be the most admired of all Cobra replicas. It did seem, though, that it represented the most car for the money-and money was (and continues to be) a big issue. Further, I wanted to do all the work myself. I had never built anything before, so I didn't know if I would louse it up big-time or not. It seemed more prudent to take a $20k chance than a $40k chance of lousing it up big-time. During the build time I learned a huge number of good lessons and during the drive time since then I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I still think it is a lot of car per dollar spent. The company has undergone many improvements since I bought my parts, too. If you park my car next to SPF's, ERA's, EM's, Uniques, etc., it likely won't strike you as the most impressive car. But built correctly, you will get a good value for your money. These are just my thoughts. I admire the FFR cars a great deal, too. I've just never owned one. They seem to be very successful and have a great owner loyalty. I wouldn't be afraid to build either one for my next project.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
I have a Shell Valley. I got the body and frame in sept '95. It was very exiting to get it from the factory and bring it home. Unfortunately alot of things needed extra work; rear frame brace 2" too low,top rear shock mount 2" too high, rear trunk frame 3/4" crooked, and about 15 more small items to make my hair greyer than it is. Having said that, it is a joy to own now that all the bugs are ironed out. One of our club members built a FF5 last year and had body fit problems. I guess you take your chances on an unassembled kit. The professional builders may just fix things like this as part of their assembly process, they have to earn their money for more than just bolting things together,anybody can do that. So I figure I saved 15 to 20 grand over the cost of an assembled cobra, it was still fun building it myself.
Perry.

[Dirty Harry]

My experience was just like HighPlainsDrifter's. A lot of stuff didn't fit, but nothing was insurmountable, and tech help was easily obtained. Even a novice like me was able to overcome the fit problems. Since then, the company seems to be even more user-friendly. I like the people I've dealt with very well-very accomodating.

[Junket]

Hello I too have a Shell Valley (probably prejudice because I chose it) ordered it a 9 months ago hope to paint it this weekend. I have had a few problems some of my own doing some not the ones that were not was taken care of promptly the others I received help with.
The car may not be political correct but neither am I so we make a good team.
One thing I can say I did it my self and am up close and personal with every nut & bolt on it.
One thing I strongly recommend no matter what kit you order get it COMPLEAT as possible. Am sure if you decide on either one SV or F-5 you will be pleased. One other thing the Cobra is a people magnet so be prepared and enjoy.

Ken

[Ozona]

If you have questions on an FFR or how to modify something, or just want to talk about something with one, go here:

www.ffcobra.com

There are few ffr enthusiasts on this board. Just be aware that while you receive positive comments from Shell Valley owners here, you'll receive pro FFR comments there.

[ROMANBUILT]

Thanks all, for the input, I do plan to build it myself, but the local builder had one on the go for me to see.

Have started to do the cost comparison, and the SV kits are better equipped to the point that when you ballpark $ the donor, and compare component to component, the SV is a better deal $$-wise than the f5 car. F5 does a good job marketing it, but my $$'s are important and $ for value is what I look at.

Again thanks guys for all the input.

Romanbuilt

...there is no replacement for displacement!!

[Ron Roth]

Go to Carlisle, PA next month, you'll be able to compare back and forth, talk to many owners and see a bunch of other manufacturers all in one place. Bring a camera and note pad.

Ron