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Text From Live Chat With David Smith from Factory Five Racing
April 11, 2002

admin
Welcome to FFCobra Chat
Bill
Welcome to the FFCobra Live Chat with David Smith! Thanks David!
Lancair IV
hey guys. Is this working?
fljmarz
just testing to see if this works
Lancair IV
Seems to be! This is awsome!
Bill
Hi Carl! Glad you could make it!
Bill
How many people do you guys think we will have?
Lancair IV
30-40
Bill
That would be very cool if we got 40!
Lancair IV
give or take 25
Lancair IV
this is a great set up. Nice job!
carl
Hey David
carl
The more the better
RacingRob
test
CobRat
Nice piece of software
Bill
Thanks CobRat
Bill
Galt did all the work to get this going
Lancair IV
nice job Galt
David Douglas
test
CobRat
Well done
CobRat
Builds cars, builds servers. What's next?
Bill
Hi David! Welcome!
Trav
test
Robrph
ok im impressed!
Brentt
test from Brentt
CobRat
It's time
FACTORYFIVERACING
Bill asked me to be here today to answer questions about FFR. I am happy to do this and I figure you guys deserve as much information as we can provide.
David Douglas
hey bill, is David already on? what will his username be so we can ID his responses?
David Douglas
never mind
CobRat
Thanks for coming
Robrph
i think people will pop in and out actually... I know im at work right now, heading home! How is everyone!
Lancair IV
Here we go
sbrookeinmd
is this moderated in some way?
RacingRob
To see the latest questions do we just send empty mesg ?
CobRat
Is the SuperCoupe the replacement for the 275?
sbrookeinmd
guess not
Robrph
hummmm
Robrph
strange the text doesnt keep rolling???
Lancair IV
What is the status of the 289 FIA?
Gordon Levy
Hey Dave
MikeS
Hows the midengine car coming?
fljmarz
Hi Dave, this live chat is a great idea!
FACTORYFIVERACING
Let me just get my sea legs under me and figure out how this all works.
Robrph
Gordon.... thank you from everyone for all your help!
CobRat
It's like riding a bike
FACTORYFIVERACING
Gordo, didn't I just finish with you on the phone? Alright. Lets start with the mid engine car
MikeS
take your time... we just want the skinny on the mid-egine car!
Richard Oben
Maybe and opening statement is in order. Just a litte update on the status of FFR
Robrph
Hey Bill we should have a live chat on the forum too! just an idea!
Bill Lardner
Good afternoon David
Gordon Levy
Your Welcome, So when do I get all this bear I have been promised
Richard Oben
Gordo I want Beer no BeAr. HE HE
Robrph
Gordon hope you mean BEER~! HEE HEE
Robrph
;-)
CobRat
Bear / Beer?
sbrookeinmd
gordon: got a thing for Bears?
Bill
Mid engine pictures?
Gordon Levy
Dave, Small world isn't it? I look forward to finishing our conversation.
Rick Young
David, I just joined and have not yet seen any messages, so I will start with one. I have FFR 3243 and paid the price increase but didn't get all of the attributes that the MK-II cars are shoen to have. How do I get the rest of the MK-II items?
CobRat
Baer. No stop that!
Gordon Levy
I never said I could spell
FACTORYFIVERACING
Thanks to Bill for inviting me here. Thanks to all you guys for feeding my car habit. A few quick notes on the mid engine car to start. It has a mid endgine platform.
Richard Oben
Tough crowd, Dave are you wearing your thick skin.
John MacKechnie
Dave, Is it possible to set up a spec racer without the shoulder high bars, but leave the door bars in place. I really like that idea. Could the doors be opened if that was done.
FACTORYFIVERACING
On the mark II upgrades I'll give you what I can (welded backbone is tough) but let's do that off-line on the phone.
MikeS
Give David the floor and let him tell us what he wants, and wait for him to open the floor for questions. please
Robrph
All yours Dave!
Gordon Levy
John, We have done a few cars with door bars that allow for the door to work. Give me call.
FACTORYFIVERACING
Custom mods can alwyas be done (spec racer sans bars or with IRS) however the margins we run at (lean) mean that custom stuff always costs more than we really charge. Custom questions on frame can go right to Jim in engineering. We can do just about anything, should we do it is what makes the difference between a good year and going bust.
Rick Young
I must be doing something wrong, when I posted my question I then got the data up to that point but nothing since!!
michael everson
Mike Everson is present
FACTORYFIVERACING
No problem, if I miss a question just keep after me but maybe we should try to stick to subjects first like ME Supercar questions or the like. I'm sure we'll get better at this as time goes by.
Robrph
Keep hitting return and the text will refresh!
CobRat
Rick. Press {F5} or REFRESH
Lancair IV
What is the status of the 289 FIA?
Bill
David - Please tell all about the mid-engine car and future fun stuff
Bill
what engine?
RacingRob
If you hit the send button with no msg in it. The page will refresh and you'll see new posts.
Galt
Rick, you may have an older browser. To refresh the screen you can hit the "Send" with nothing in the Message box.
Robrph
see guys named rob think alike!
Rick Young
OK, it seems to be updating now maby I just had to wear a rut
FACTORYFIVERACING
This is really cool. Now I know why people use these dang things.
Rick Young
Where is the photo of the new car?
Robrph
UT oh bewtter NOT get dave hooked on chat forums.. we want car parts! Hee Hee
michael everson
Dave whats the scoop on the new super car
CobRat
Back to Bill's Q. What powertrains are you targeting?
Eric 427 Shelby
I finished my physics lab quickly, just to get here!!!
FACTORYFIVERACING
We have had molds from the old contemporary company for a few years. The small block version car with the petty bar and gas cap in the middle.. We have that car in development for the last few years. Not much wsas
Robrph
lets all shush and let dave tell ua about the new SUPERCAR..... Go for it dave... ALL INFO were reading!
FACTORYFIVERACING
Right now the 64 roadster CE (Champions Edition) is being built. I have molds done for body, doors, hood and trunk (yes with nipple). The MK II frame is being changed to adapt to that body but right now it's not available. There is a FFR customer doing the work. The 64 roadster CE will be sold if it passes muster after being built.
Rick Young
If you are shooting for a Mustang donor, are you going to use the newer platform and save a lot of extra assembly work, and cost?
FACTORYFIVERACING
I'm still talking about the 64 roadster CE and the plan is for the same platform (ala 65 roadster) same running gear and obviously folks would use an old HI-PO 289 motor.
BBC71Nova
Is there any chance that FFR could offer a special time promo that would allow current owners to get a discount on options/upgrades? This would help us upgrade and get new Mark II stuff, 3-link, adj upper CAs, etc. I think that would be great since us with older kits missed out on the new upgrades and fixes to problems like wheel-hop. Other companies do similar things and I think it does great things for customer satisfaction which will definatly spread the good word for FFR.
Richard Oben
Good Now mrmustang will leave us alone. He He
Eric 427 Shelby
First off, thanks for comming and talking with us, I know this question has come up before, but i don't think it was ever anwered, can you tell us the supplier for the leather you use in the cars, I can not find a match to it anywhere.
Eric 427 Shelby
I like Ricks idea!!!
Lancair IV
Will it be avialable this year?
Rick Young
I'm not familiar with the '64 CE car.
Bill
David: Will the CE be a retro body or will it be a new kti?
Advil
admin, you need to do this moderated next time. :) too busy for this format.
FACTORYFIVERACING
Even though the upgrades are significant, we got a huge deal due to volume. I have to look at a case by case basis on parts but if you guys want to upgrade to newer parts I think we can do it at our costs or just above. Things like the new upper control arms are easy. The rear brackets for the frame you would have to weld on (that elims any wheel hop issues cause they are hieght adjusrtable) seats (easy) the backbone is tougher since the mods require a narrower trans tunnel if i sent you the steel alone to be welded in
Bill
Rick: CE = 289 FIA
Rick Young
Is that the Small Block body that I have heard you are working on? To be different than the FIA?
Rick Young
These messages are not getting in in time.
FACTORYFIVERACING
I agreed not to use that term and we'll sell our car as an ORIGINAL DESIGN FACTORY FIVE CAR. The 64 roadster CE would have to be a separate kit really tough to retrofit.
Robrph
Hey Eric hope you taking notes... By all.. im heading homr... ROB
fljmarz
I know it’s not the current topic, but I’m going to have to log off soon & I’m not sure if/when I’ll be able to log back on. All my questions are about the California 250gt: Is this still an active project? If so: What is the projected release date? Will it be a 5.0-based car? Will you be bringing it to Carlisle? Will it have an IRS option? Will it have a carbon fiber body option? Will it have an optional soft top? Thanks Dave!
FACTORYFIVERACING
It's a kit that should make Mr Mustang happy. You don't think I missed all those posts did you?
BBC71Nova
David, that would be awesome. Specifically I was thinking about the rear CA mounts and front adj. upper CAs. That is better than spending dough on Autowelds and widgets. Maybe we can get a post going here later to check the interest.
Rick Young
Is there any reason I can't weld in a 'back bone' and make it fit to the aluminum I now have?
FACTORYFIVERACING
Here are the R&D projects underway.
Tim S
Dave, We just started to find out about F5 and Miller. Can you tell us about how it happened and what it entails.
Eric 427 Shelby
another suggestion, can you make the dialog box for the conversation larger, like up to the header for the ffcobra line?
FACTORYFIVERACING
ME Supercar, GTV8- Italian inspired roadster with Jag V-12, 64 roadster CE, Musttang aftermarket parts line incl IRS and three link for 5.0 guys, let me think, The black convertible (no name yet) is getting a new arse end,..
CobraEEARL
what happened to the R & D list?
FACTORYFIVERACING
Dave borden welded in his own backbone. i can get you our pre-cut parts but like I said the aluminum has evolved.
CobraEEARL
Thereit is.
CobraEEARL
Thereit is.
FACTORYFIVERACING
I'm going as fast as I can, please excuse typois
Bill
What engine for the supercar?
Bill
no problem... type away. I'll correct the spelling before saving everything to a web page.
Gordon Levy
You spell as bad as me
CobRat
Consider this creative & not corrected. We'll understand
FACTORYFIVERACING
Miller beer and Mark weber came together one night. I yelled over at Webs and he says he's got a HUGE shipment of posters and the like (no live supermodels :(
TOYOKOGYO12ATURBO
CORRCET THIS: GRIEJEUC
Bill
OK< where's my posters?
Gordon Levy
We will take some posters anyway.
Eric 427 Shelby
:).....um....there was a car in that picture?
Tim S
I know that MANY of us would LOVE to get our hands on soem posters. Is there any way that we could get some?
mikiec
Gordon if you get the posters I want one...OK
FACTORYFIVERACING
This is part of a truly huge national ad vcampaign. i think a miller exec had a car and tought it would be a good way to attract beer drinkers. We thought beer drinkers would be a good way to attract car builders
RacingRob
WE NEED POSTERS!!!:)
Tim S
Maybe even buy them off your website?
CobRat
Works for me! Any pilsner in a storm.
Gordon Levy
An you think you deserve one how? :)
Lancair IV
Everyone participating in this should get one!!!!!!
Tim S
Normally beer and cars are a bad mix, but this seems to work. :)
Richard Oben
With proceeds to Team Jenny. Miller will pay for the poster for charity.
FACTORYFIVERACING
We'll have plenty of posters and the like, no charge. The car war ours the guy was Dave "Hollywood" Z. a welder at FFR
BBC71Nova
Being that, like the Mustang, there are tons of LT1 and LS1 F-body Chevys hitting the boneyards, what about a roadster that uses that as a donor? The 89-93 Stangs will eventually run out and some people just like Chevy. Painless makes the harnesses so I doubt it would be too much trouble.
TOYOKOGYO12ATURBO
Even though I'm only 18, I'm gonna start drinkin' tonite :)
Bill
pleeeaaaase give us Mid-engine supercar details!
BBC71Nova
POSTERS: What about setting up a paypal and using the money for Team Jenny? There are enough computer geeks here that we could get it lined up.
Rick Young
I can follow Dave Bordens' idea ok, I just need the critical locations for the connections and some rough dimensions along with a recommendation of material. You know, the basic idea to get started and not end up doing somethning that has to be redone due to unforseen interferences with existing structure and panels.
Olli
Yes, mid engine car details please.
Richard Oben
Bow ties are for little boys dare to be different.
FACTORYFIVERACING
We have thought a ton about the bow tie crowd. There is a future with the 350 chevy and the newer motors/drivetarains, nothing in development right now though (outside of pure R&D)
CobraEEARL
toyokogyo12, i bet you drink already. fess up
FACTORYFIVERACING
Supercar stuff?
CobRat
I just wish FoMoCo was as aggressive in Crate engines and HP EFI setups for their BBs
Tim S
I'd just like to say thanks to Bill and Dave for setting this up today.
sbrookeinmd
yes!
Eric 427 Shelby
yes!!!
TOYOKOGYO12ATURBO
only on school days ;)
mikiec
Gordon, If I don't get one I'll come by the shop every day and pester you and the gang...
Gordon Levy
Bow Tie? what's that?
Bill
YES! Supercar! Focus everyone! :D
BBC71Nova
Richard: I don't have a Chevy in my FFR. However, in business, a sale is a sale and diversification always helps ;-). That LS1 is SWEET!
FACTORYFIVERACING
This'll take some typing so have some patience please.
Gordon Levy
Oh God No.
Gatorac
Yes. We need supercar info. :D
FACTORYFIVERACING
Huge thanks to Bill for setting this up. Let me give you the things I can go into on the su[percar.
Eric 427 Shelby
picture?
FACTORYFIVERACING
We're not building a GT-40 replica. Hold on my daughter's school is on the line.
mikiec
Dave, My car is done but what is being done to address the back order situation others have?
Bill
you're welcome, but we ALL think you! And we want supercar info! :D
Eric 427 Shelby
Bill, ya know what, i "think" you too!
CobRat
Wouldn't it be nice if Ford had a BB EFI motor to compete w/the GM 502 Ramjet
Richard Oben
Building a GT40 would be suicide with Ford coming out with one.
FACTORYFIVERACING
let me go through backorders next and finish on the supercar.
Rick Young
The best thing about 'bow ties' is that they give a novice something to practice with until they are ready for some real power.
CobRat
Filler while waiting for Dave's return
CobraEEARL
I had zero backorder problems. everything came in before i needed it. Only one item never showed...and FFr made that good on simple request, the weather strip under the door. No back order problems HERE. Now about that super car
Gordon Levy
The Ford version isn't any competition for a well built Replica.
TOYOKOGYO12ATURBO
How 'bout rotaries? :) don't hurt me.
CobraEEARL
Dave, what grade did you make in TYPING in High school??
FACTORYFIVERACING
We started out by baselining all of the world's best mid engine cars. We looked hard at the GT-40, the McClaren, the diablo and the lotus all for different reasons. The GT 40 was just too small
CobraEEARL
Hope the call from the school was not serious.
Rick Young
I
FACTORYFIVERACING
The opportunity came to a head when I was at the SEMA show. We were studying the Saleen S-7 on display. FFR customer Cheney was crying cause he couldn't have the car (S7)
CobraEEARL
Must be a lot to say about this car. :) :)
FACTORYFIVERACING
No problem at school.