Tell me about this Daytona Coupe?

offroadr35 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 08:25 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2446547506

Do you guys know anything about this car? What do you think it's worth? What questions can you think of that i should ask? I've posted here a few times considering buying a Cobra instead of the Lotus Elise that i have on order. This seems like a sweet car for combination street/track use. Help me out, i don't know much.

-Steve

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 08:33 AM

Steve,

Looks like Factory Five Racing Daytona Coupe. There's not many manufacturers around that make Coupes...not as many as regular Cobras anyway.

Factory Five is a pretty reputable manufacturer. You can look at their website here:

www.factoryfive.com

It looks like the builder has put some pretty good parts in the car...I didn't look it over closely, but it's got a Tremec 5-speed, Ford Racing 351W, MSD ignition, etc. The horsepower is a little low for my blood (300 RWHP)...but I'm sure it would be a blast.

Anything in particular you would like to know?

HIQ · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 08:41 AM

Looks like a great car. As with every Factory Five product, the end result will be a function of the builder. I would have the car checked out by a Pro to make sure you know exactly what you are getting.

Best of Luck.

jrussell · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 08:50 AM

Well,
It looks pretty cool from the pictures, but if I read the descriptives correctly my take is it was the factory mule/test car. I wonder about the HP figures they list-they seem low to me. It also appears this is a new listing, so I would watch it for at least 5 days just to see where it goes in the $$.
Interesting.
John Russell
ps. I have both seen- and driven the SPF Brock Coupe- and that is a completely different car, and no comparison at all to this listing.

offroadr35 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 09:01 AM

i was hoping since this seems to be a Factory Five test car that some people on here have had first hand experience with it. I shouldn't say i know nothing, i have been researching the cobra roadster market for a while so i am somewhat familiar. Any guesses on what this should be worth? 300whp will do quite fine for me if the car is light enough.

I don't really know what other information i was hoping to get, i guess just general thoughts on the car, parts, how it will perform, how happy you think i'd be with it, etc.

-Steve

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:10 AM

No question it's the FFR "mule" and as such should be an EXCELLENT build.

The frame appears to be identical to the Cobra FFR frame, as well as the exhaust headers. Nice coil overs and great brakes.

300 rear WHEEL h.p. is actually quite good and sounds very reasonable. The car WILL be very quick!

I like the pop-up rear window too. If I was in the market for a Coupe I wouldn't hesitate to bid. In fact, I'd jump on it!

Ernie

Ron61 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:20 AM

Ernie,

Enjoy the Coupe. I just made a bid for you that will undoubtedly get it.

Ron

Wade Chamberlain · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:25 AM

I'm pretty certain that Gary Cheney built that car, not FFR. It was the first, (or near the first) coupe that FFR sold. It was used heavily in FFR's initial push with the coupes. Nice car.

Tony Ripepi · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 11:43 AM

Hi Guys,

This is Gary's car and a well built race oriented Coupe. If you get the FFR DVD this is the car that is in that video presentation along with Gary talking about it.

The car was sold earlier this year and shipped to the new owner here in San Jose, California, he brought it to breakfast at Athens with his daughter as a passenger right after it arrived.

Don't know what if any work has been done to it since then but the original build was a oriented to the performance side of the equation as opposed to street car fit, finish and ride characteristics.

Tony R.

offroadr35 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 01:33 PM

thanks guys! this is what i wanted to hear.

Now the most important question...what's it worth??

-Steve

Tom T. · #11 (**permalink**) 12-03-2003, 01:40 PM

I'd heard the car was originally sold for 50K, but who knows whether that's correct.

TT

offroadr35 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 09:11 AM

i've never been in a coupe before, anyone know how comfortable they are for taller guys? I'm just under 6'2 but skinny.

-Steve

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 09:13 AM

I bet you couldn't touch a decent built Coupe for less than $50K. I've never seen one for less,,,,,,,, yet.

Ernie

Wade Chamberlain · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by offroadr35

i've never been in a coupe before, anyone know how comfortable they are for taller guys? I'm just under 6'2 but skinny.

-Steve

I can't speak for any coupe besides the FFR. At 6'2, once you get in, you'll be ok, but you'll have a hell of a time getting in and out gracefully.

Tony Ripepi · #15 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 10:31 AM

Hi Guys,

The question of what the Coupes will be worth in the aftermarket....After the builder/owner has invested more than any of us should in a toy........is still to be answered.

I've seen them advertised for between $50k - $85k for the FFR version and saw first hand the SPF version that sells for $63k as a roller. There are the one off Contemporary versions selling for $85K. The real number will come form what somebody will pay for one of these used. Given the historical perspective of the Mega dollar six original coupes and that these cars replicate them .......I believe these will keep a higher price point, the fact that very few people recognize them for what they are may mitigate that.

BTW the SPF was nice saw it up close and personal at the SFO car show.....but, I was not impressed based on the work done on my Coupe by DV and what I see in Russ's car...for the same $63K you can do a lot better starting with the FFR kit and adding in what you want your Cobra Coupe to be....and have an engine in it.

As we go forward in time there will be settling out of the price for these cars and what they will sell for, the same as what has happened with the roadster. Depending on the fit, finish, options (A/C, Sound Systems Etc.) ride characteristics, performance there will a stratification low, medium, high....but the low will start at the $50k range.

One mans humble opinion,

Tony R.

Turk · #16 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 10:13 PM

Tony, Are you driving your car yet? Did you get it here safely?

TURK

Tony Ripepi · #17 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 11:28 PM

Hi Turk,

Still back east....a few problems with the DMV in Tennesee and some issues with the gremlins in a new car.

I have an appointment for 1/2/2004 at the DMV to get my SB100 sequence number.

I'll toot the horn loudly when it shows up here in Ca.

TR

Turk · #18 (**permalink**) 12-04-2003, 11:32 PM

Why do I think I will be meeting a lot of friends at DMV lines on January 2nd.?

TURK

I hope you get your car soon, and hope it is everything you wanted it to be.

offroadr35 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 04:43 PM

i got the cobra for an absolute steal!!!! . I'm so frickin excited!!! will be picking it up sometime after the 20th of this month when i'm back in Cali. I will definitely post a full report.

It is going to be a fun track car/project car for my stepfather and me. Hopefully in the next year or so i'll pull together the cash to buy the Elise in addition.

I have a quick CA registration question. The block is a 1975 which is Smog Exempt next year. Do i have to worry about any of the SB100, 1501(?) stuff or can i just bring it in, show them the 1975 and be done with it?

-Steve

GeorgiaSnake · #20 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 05:42 PM

Steve ask Turk - he is the smog guy

Randy