FFR's perky butt keeping it down?

[289fia_cobra]

Doug you do make another good perspective point.

From a gathering at Livermore and Baji's, everyone know's their Cobra's pretty well but nobody get's put down.

From the casual person on the street, it goes from:

"is it real"
"is that a Miata"
"is that a old Vette"
"what IS that"
"it's cute"
"floor it!"
and thumbs up and waves.

for all intents, non-enthusiasts agree it's a unique and good looking body style unlike the bars of soap w/4 wheels these days (yeah, I got one of them too!). It never really bothered me the butt was "perky". But I guess when a bunch of them are lines up "cheek-to-cheek", the FFR's do stand out as an odd duck I guess.

And finally, to the "purists" well, I would argue that based on everything I've read in all of the Cobra related literatures and pictures to date, not many of the racing Cobra's were exactly alike. What is correct on one, doesn't exist on another (i.e. extra tall side louvers, existence of hood lovers, the hacked up front scooped Cobra called "the turd" by ken miles, windscreens vs. windshield, etc.) Just too many differences in each racers car to say something was included in the original or not. I get tired of the arguements after awhile and just drive and enjoy what I built.

[JAM1775]

Thanks Sal...maybe I misunderstood the generality your original statement. Funny as it may seem but FFR's reluctance to build has generated secondary demand for quality builders with extensive race backgrounds, proven track experience and noted expertise in FFR cobra replica builds. In the end customers pay more for the complete turnkey. Less of a bargain... no doubt but not home builds and still below cost of the higher end replicas. These builders work closely with FFR and are well known across the coasts by FFR customers as vendors on their dedicated forum. In our immediate NYarea there are 2 quality race shops that have built 8-10 FFR's from roller to turnkey since 1995. But they pale in comparison to the business generated by more widely known FFR builders who benefit beneath FFR's reluctance to build rollers. FFR is still a young company when compared to some of the higher end cobra replica companies mentioned above .

So joey hv ...you didn't miss anything Bub ! The industry is aggressively competitive with companies as different as a Toploader vs. Tremec,
Jag vs. T-Bird IRS, 9 inch vs. 8.8 ........or .......perish the thought if a
Big Block vs. a Small Block !

[1985 CCX]

KMP and ERA only?
FFR cars are in high #'s, inconsistant, and really do make great race cars. As a replica I have seen models I adore and some I cringe at. That is part of the fun!
Did you forget about CSX4000 glass cars? CCX?
I think Contemporary did a decent job as well, I am bias though:

[Fred Z]

great thread! I would like to chime in, if I might?
I researched all models before i went forward. Planned on KMP...then Era....them SPF! I know a professional builder of FFR's, Langley K.......who builds very high end cars....and was a great spec racer as well. I chose FFR......because of a few factors......i could make the car the way i liked......but because i wanted pretty close to period correct, knew I was both....against the tide with the 'perky' and such.......but in my favor was the option to build with only hi performance parts....all new.....and with options that I could apply because I have the $$ to do what I want!! (just a lucky guy right now)
I call this my...professionally hand-built custom replica! It has no donar parts.....custom options which would be a long list.....but trust me here.....it is extensive.....Lang built this as good or better than a factory...because he has the attention to every detail before moving on to another!!! Another fact...all cars are made of parts....new or not, so I guess every car is a kit of sorts!! SoI built the car for approx. $80 k! Yes, youread it right......Large!! I have no regrets....and when I have been with other guys and cars.......they are faily impressed with the build, quality, and finish! Batman's art is what is seen first, as the paint is usually obvious..but the interior, engine bay and even down to the truck interior....displays nothing but the highest quality materials available. Yes, maybe I will not ever get the return on my investment shown in sales price......but I can tell you for sure......this car has the quality of any other car I have seen, bar none!! But remember, I spent whatever it took to get it there!! I have had a nice chat with lance Stander at SPF.....and if I were to choose another car..........most likely I would go his way....but my car is fun, looks nice....rides unbelievable, and is still close to period correct as I could get it....minus a few upgrades necessary.
the perky butt.......someone told me once.......that this is the 'new age look' for the younger set.......more of a style change for the ages.........(not sure 'bout that one)....but the look doesn't work me in the least! Hell......I can't see the butt anyway........i'm driving the darn thing!!
I admire the original looks......the KMP...ERA...and CSX. they are sweet, for sure. But you can make a kit car as good.....just have to spend more $$ and get a pro to make it.
anyway...........my opinion..........not for everyone!!
fred z

[Richard Hudgins]

And now for something entirely different.

(Think Monty Python for the correct outlook here)

A REAL butt.

Sorry

I could not help myself.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by JAM1775

In our immediate NYarea there are 2 quality race shops that have built 8-10 FFR's from roller to turnkey since 1995. But they pale in comparison to the business generated by more widely known FFR builders who benefit beneath FFR's reluctance to build rollers.

And then there are some who are not even considered builders who have done just as many out of their old 1 car garage .

[joey_hv]

Originally Posted by Richard Hudgins

And now for something entirely different.
(Think Monty Python for the correct outlook here)
A REAL butt.

Sorry
I could not help myself.

Now that is a nice booty...the narrow hips accentuate the "baby got back" feel of it...
so does anyone have a cheek to cheek picture of a ffr perky butt and a... regular butt (didn't think "droopy butt" quite fit)

[1985 CCX]

Well said Fred.....................
Great looking car as well.
That would be in my adore catagory.

[ztarum]

Here is a good profile comparison. http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

[jwd]

Originally Posted by RACERAL

Kirkham and ERA are the only 2 with the correct body shape.

The Hurricane is almost identicle to them since it is a direct splash off an original Cobra body.

[joey_hv]

Originally Posted by ztarum

Here is a good profile comparison. http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

thanks Ztarum for the picture. Although I don't think one can appreciate the differences in derriers unless viewed from behind, side by side..

[1985 CCX]

Keep in mind that some cars which were splashed from original cars can still be different. The next question is which car? ERA used CSX2345 for their FIA (an unmolested original) and peters CSX3252 for their 427 car. Keep in mind that CSX3252 was a street car that had a wider lower fender area when viewed from the rear than does the S/C. Contemporary used CSX3045 an original S/C which was in fact an early car. CCX issues were more related to suspension height and geometry, once that is fixed or adjusted out the correct look is there. Remember these are all hand made cars so they vary in their original state as the numbers progressed. I can't remember which car KMP or CSX glass cars used but at least they were originals.

What car did Hurricane splash from? Second question was the car in its original state or re-body as many are.

This has been a question that has seen at least 10 threads before. FFR makes a solid representation of the original car with some slight compromise to the body. Some say it was to enable the use of the Mustang? It will be interesting to see what their next generation CSX3035 car will look like. If it is a true splash from 3035 it will probably change their overall appearance in many areas of the shape and construction.

Regardless buy the car you like and can afford. Then enjoy it, as it will be a great time every day you add miles. Cheaper than a shrink and better for the soul.

[Power Surge]

I was told by a Hurriance owner that there were things "changed" on the production Hurricane body, for the sake of staying away from body shape lawsuits.

With that said, this owner's car was the first Hurricane I had seen in person. I was VERY impressed with the body shape as it was. Even though I like FFRs, and bought one myself, if I were in the market for a "build it yourself" type Cobra again I'd go for the Hurricane over the FFR now.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

I can't remember which car KMP or CSX glass cars used but at least they were originals.

KMP - CSX3104
CSX - CSX3178 (supposedly)