Factory Five vs. Shell Valley

tarrbaby · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2001, 10:47 AM

I am thinking of purchasing a Cobra kit. I have narrowed my search down to the Shell Valley kit or the Factory Five kit. Does anyone have any opions on these two companies? Or is there a better company someone might suggest.

Thank You

tarrbaby

mikiec · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2001, 10:58 AM

I have seen both and both are nice cars.

I have an FFR.

My suggestion to you is to visit both manufactures and make a comparison of them. Then look around for examples of each. Visa versa. See what you like about each one and what you dislike about each one. This is, as far as I'm concerned, the only way to pick a manufacturer. Remember what one person likes about a car does not necessarily mean you will like the same.

You also need to take into consideration your building ability.

My $0.02

mike

bigmike · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2001, 12:47 PM

I have a Shell Valley, and I'm very happy with it. The fiberglass work is very well done, includes kevlar in the hi-stress areas, and fits well at the doors and trunk/hood. They have their own frame and suspension that works together well. They recently purchased midstates cobra (It operates as an idependent company), and maintain a high level of quality control. I visited several manufacturers before buying, and spent 2-1/2 hours at Shell valley bfor making my purchase. I have found their customer service to be outstanding. One caveat: Their assembly manual is being re-worked, but still is marginal. Their kit requires more builder expertise than FFR, but it is still a reasonable project.

bigmike · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2001, 12:47 PM

I have a Shell Valley, and I'm very happy with it. The fiberglass work is very well done, includes kevlar in the hi-stress areas, and fits well at the doors and trunk/hood. They have their own frame and suspension that works together well. They recently purchased midstates cobra (It operates as an idependent company), and maintain a high level of quality control. I visited several manufacturers before buying, and spent 2-1/2 hours at Shell valley bfor making my purchase. I have found their customer service to be outstanding. One caveat: Their assembly manual is being re-worked, but still is marginal. Their kit requires more builder expertise than FFR, but it is still a reasonable project.

Dan · #5 (**permalink**) 04-16-2001, 10:41 PM

Good question. Shell Valley is a fine car. I have a FFR. (The B and B is worth looking at as well). Ok, here is my $0.02 worth. The FFR car is light, 2000 lbs. The concept of using the existing items from a Mustang I think is a good idea. However, don't confuse the car with just a Jazzed up Stang, it's not. The car is a near 50/50 set up and huggs the road like a real raceing machine, and that it is.
The final for me was the way the car is made. An engineer friend of mine showed me the FFR cars first. His view was that FFR is the only one (that we know of) that uses a strong race proven frame, aluminum panels and the glass body just bolts on. The glass body only holds the light, paint and gauges. The glass is not a structural member of the car at all. All other cars that I know of use the "dune buggy" style where you bolt on a glass body, to the frame and thus also becomes a part of the structure. (correct me if I'm wrong here). However, this seems to work fine on a number of cars.. I'm not saying it's bad, just not what I want out of a Cobra. Also the FFR car is some 700 lbs lighter due to this fact.
The bad side of a FFR car? The doors don't fit as well as they should (I hear this has been refined on the new ones). The after market serice could be better. (it took me 3 weeks for a set of windwings!). But, they are on the phone and "Joe" in the back will answer all the "stupid" questions and not get amused when you call.

I'm sure that either car would give you miles of smiles. There is nothing like driving one with that V-8 rumble, turning heads etc. I even plastered a Viper's hump in the dump with mine from a dead take off stop light to stop light. Not bad for a kit car and a (near) stock 5.0 engine. Nope, the car cost far less that his 70,000 or more. But then I don't have a sterio, AC and a heater either..

Take care enjoy your car, and my all means have a great time with it. After all, that is the reason they are made!

worksalot · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2001, 01:26 AM

the 2 companies that you have asked about are very good companies.shell valley has been around for ever and ffr's are literally all over the place.i was in the same situation as you a few months ago.if you have not done so yet you should take the time to check out B&B manufacturing.I went with B&B after speaking with the fellows they have great quality glass and the car fits very well.it is a least worth your time to check them out.the big thing to remember about these cars is they can look as good as YOU are willing to make them.here is a link to my b&b if you are interested http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...9127&a=8521463
enjoy john b

Robert Evans · #7 (**permalink**) 04-17-2001, 07:57 PM

testing

MarkRegel · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2002, 11:03 PM

Help! I live only a few miles from Shell Valley, but I like FFRs frame and unstressed body setup. I think FFRs frame even has Superformance out classed! But Shell Valley is willing to give me a great deal and I can save a lot on shipping and crateing. I'm leaning towards Shell Valley for the savings. My question is about frame stiffness and body shake. How is Shell Valley in this area?

Nick Chelenza · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2002, 11:43 PM

I have decided on Shell Valley when I purchase. I have a friend in the process of building a FFR and it is a nice kit. The frame looks super. I have visited Shell Valley, Midstates, Lonestar and a few others. I think Shell has the most complete kit for my needs. Rich Anderson and staff were very helpful to the point of letting my wife and I tour Columbus, Nebraska in a sb yellow auomatic and it felt rock solid. I've been interested in them for the past6-7 yrs and am glad they are still around. I think both cars are fine. Depends on how you approach the method of build up. Hope this helps.
Nick C.

Howard Bosworth · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 11:02 PM

After looking at several companies I went with the Shell Valley.
When I call with a question the person who picks up the phone knows what I'm talking about and if he needs to check with someone else I get a call back quickly. The quality of parts supplied with the kit is very good.
Howard

flipper35 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-15-2002, 11:09 AM

Mark,

I haven't had a ride in any other manufacturer's cars, but the Shell Valley frame is stiff. There is a little cowl shake on some of the nastier pot holes and bumps, but otherwise a solid car. It would be really hard to not have any with any convertable with a ladder type frame. Before the company changed hands I wouldn't have reccomended one, but the service now is very good. I had to get replacement shocks (long story) and other small parts and they were helpful, prompt, and knowledgable.

Brent Dolphin

bran3b · #12 (**permalink**) 01-15-2002, 12:31 PM

If you are planning to tour Shell Valley and FFR, you might want to check out Midstates. They are close to Shell Valley, and share some of the components. I think that the fiberglass at Midstates might be a little thicker.

Bran