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I've always wondered: since the Cobra is so low to the ground, is it hard to get in and out of? I've been wanting to build one for so many years but I think I may miss my window now that i'm nearing retirement. the factor five 818 is also very interesting to me.
I've only driven original Cobras and no... not particularly low... can go most any place... but... if you had the side pipes it was a challenge safely getting out... got the worst burn of my life when my calf touched the hot side pipe getting out... also the 427 took plenty of muscle to maneuver for parking...
The GT40 is very low... and you have to slide in over the fuel bladder saddle tanks... being 40 inches high you can imagine how low it really is... speed bumps were not possible and the same for most driveway curb cuts, car trailers... etc... really had to plan and know your route... it was fun setting off car and business alarms goosing the throttle.
The most fun was the old Lotus Super 7.... you felt you were right on the ground and easy to reach out and touch the ground!
No... I did not own any of these cars... they belonged to my uncle who raced in the 60's...
I've always wondered: since the Cobra is so low to the ground, is it hard to get in and out of? I've been wanting to build one for so many years but I think I may miss my window now that I'm nearing retirement. the factor five 818 is also very interesting to me.
The FFR cobra is not that hard to get in and out of but you do need to watch the hot side pipes. You don't want to be "bitten" by the snake.
Factory Five also makes a Daytona coupe and their own super car the GTM and getting into those is not easy. The 818 is a really neat car as is their "33" but their best seller is still the Cobra.
When I bought my kit almost 20 years ago I was taking a chance on the new company but I was very impressed with their product and still am today.
If you join the Factory Five Racing forum I bet there is someone close to you that would be willing to give you a ride.
The most fun was the old Lotus Super 7.... you felt you were right on the ground and easy to reach out and touch the ground!
No... I did not own any of these cars... they belonged to my uncle who raced in the 60's...
I always wanted to build a kit Lotus Super 7 since I saw them as a kid reading Road & Track magazine in the 70's. I would probably build a Lotus Super 7 before I did a kit Cobra. Maybe.
I always wanted to build a kit Lotus Super 7 since I saw them as a kid reading Road & Track magazine in the 70's. I would probably build a Lotus Super 7 before I did a kit Cobra. Maybe.
or the Beck Spyder kit, replica of Jimmy Dean's 550.
What is it with car guy know it alls? I bumped into another one yesterday. Years ago I built a replica of a 1965 427 Cobra , my dream car. I didn't build it to win races or to win shows but for fun.
Yesterday I drove it to the hardware store and I came out and a couple of guys were checking it out. People like the car and I like talking about it and the company that produces the kits, "Factory Five Racing".
The one guy asked a few questions that I answered and off he went. The other guy proceeded to pick my brain, asking questions and interrupting my answers, telling me about his volkswagon bug from 40 + years ago that he hyped out. He then asked why I didn't have a big block under the hood instead of the measly 302 and he was critical of my 17 year old paint that has its flaws.
He then of course told me a story I have heard many times about a friend of a friend that had a real Cobra back in the 60's and he wished he still had it because it would be worth millions today. It is funny how this type of guy always knows someone that had a real one considering less than 1000 were built in 1965 and most were wrecked on race tracks and streets.
My wife says I'm too nice to entertain people like this, maybe I am but this guy was getting on my nerves. I started the car up and he said he thought it would have been louder. He then climbed into a rusted out truck and off he went.
How many of you guys and gals that have custom cars experience the know it alls at shows and parking lots or at the gas pumps?
Do share you stories.
I generally get comments from "kids" who suggest I get a "blow off valve" because it will sound cool.
Or some kids will tell me I "need" to get certain wheels or a big "park bench" rear wing - again cool.
Or, because the engine has a reputation for becoming a "hand-grenade" when it is badly modded or abused, people are always trying to tell me what I should do to make it more reliable and resistant to going pop.
I generally just smile and ignore the first two suggestions, but when facing the third, I will tell them that one of my cars is 30 years old with 200K+ miles. The other is 23 years old with 130K+ miles and so far I haven't had any problems. It is funny how many will then tell me I may soon because they are not reliable.
I take it all like water running off a duck's back.
I have a 1974 Corvette Roadster with the 454/4 speed combo. I'll go to a car show and there'll be at least one person in attendance that will tell me what a dog and poor excuse for a sports car my Vet is. Little do they know that I had the engine upgraded and was dyno tuned out to close to 600hp. If I'm lucky, after their lecture, I'll see them drive off in a Yugo or a Ford Pinto.
I like this post.
It reminds me of back in the early 80's and I had a 1978 Fiat 124 Spyder that I had fixed up the way I liked with custom wheels and fat tires, padded roll bar, luggage rack, and a black bra on the front hood.
I had it repainted from it's original bright red to blood red and it had a light brown interior so it was a looker.
When ever I had people stop me when I was parked and start ragging on my car, I would wait until they would stop to catch a breathe and tell them as I got into the car " It's not my car"
What is it with car guy know it alls? I bumped into another one yesterday. Years ago I built a replica of a 1965 427 Cobra , my dream car. I didn't build it to win races or to win shows but for fun.
Yesterday I drove it to the hardware store and I came out and a couple of guys were checking it out. People like the car and I like talking about it and the company that produces the kits, "Factory Five Racing".
The one guy asked a few questions that I answered and off he went. The other guy proceeded to pick my brain, asking questions and interrupting my answers, telling me about his volkswagon bug from 40 + years ago that he hyped out. He then asked why I didn't have a big block under the hood instead of the measly 302 and he was critical of my 17 year old paint that has its flaws.
He then of course told me a story I have heard many times about a friend of a friend that had a real Cobra back in the 60's and he wished he still had it because it would be worth millions today. It is funny how this type of guy always knows someone that had a real one considering less than 1000 were built in 1965 and most were wrecked on race tracks and streets.
My wife says I'm too nice to entertain people like this, maybe I am but this guy was getting on my nerves. I started the car up and he said he thought it would have been louder. He then climbed into a rusted out truck and off he went.
How many of you guys and gals that have custom cars experience the know it alls at shows and parking lots or at the gas pumps?
I expect this in the political forum but not here in the auto one where it is supposed to be fun.
I only told a story about an experience that I have had more than once and I appreciate the people who have chimed in with their own stories. That was the purpose of this post to get people talking about their cars and experiences with other enthusiasts.
I don't understand that people feel the need to vent by adding a comment that does nothing but criticize. If they don't like what is being discussed then why jump in?
I like to talk about my car and others but when a person doesn't care to listen to the answer to their question and try to answer it themselves I guess we could cal them braggards, blow hards or know it alls.
Most guys with interesting cars know what I'm talking about.
Seems "odd" that you continued to engage a "car guy" that clearly upset you. What do you gain by answering the questions of a person who clearly does not know what they are talking about? I am always fascinated by people who complain about the behaviors of others when the option of effortlessly avoiding the situation existed all along. Enjoy griping!
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