Hi Dave, I'll post the questions now.

How’s the aluminum body option coming? When can customers order it?

Do you have any plans for offering public stock to help grow the company?

Any plans for a referral program or a bonus program for people who take the time to create helpful build sites? Maybe not cash; but discounts or credit for parts?

Any plans for a new manual with more pictures and updated instructions?

What’s the status of the FFR 250? When can a customer order one?

What about the 289 FIA once and for all? Are you going to offer it and if no, why not?

Does FFR plan on offering side and front emblems? What about VIN tags?

During the last discussion you said FFR would offer a Mark II upgrade package. Is that available and how much is it?

Any plans for a better hood hinge kit?

Does FFR plan on updating the one donor idea for the 97+ Mustangs?

Will FFR ever address the seems on the body?

Any ideas on how we can get our cars insured? Many customers are having major problems getting insurance.

What about moving the frame to accept a power brake booster?

What about moving the frame to accept 315 tires?

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That;s all of the questions.

Let me just start with a simple disclaimer: I was invited to speak here and need to make it clear that Factory Five Racing, Inc. is not connected to this site. The word Cobra is a trademark of Ford Motor Company (currently) and Factory Five Racing is not connected to Ford Motor Company or to Shelby Licensing Inc.

I'll try to answer the questions in order. Regarding the Aluminum body:

The aluminum body project is both encouraging and frustrating. The first body was delivered and mounted. Some of you guys saw it at Carlisle in May. We made templates and tooling to modify our aluminum and steel slightly to adapt the body. We are now in the process of testing our mounting methodology to make sure that the things don't crack and that they hold up. The bodies are made in Poland and there are some serious delivery time issues. Where we are now is that we need to go to pilot production. 2-4 bodies will be put through our chassis assembly area and sent to guinea pigs.. I mean test customers. I still haven't spoken to the suppliers about these bodies since we are only now happy with the tools and templates. I think we'll be able to sell them this Fall. The frustrating thins have been the prices have varied and the contract is not signed (meaning it could fall apart). My best guess is that we'll sell these to people who know metal work. later you guys ask about bodies and all I can say about the aluminum is that it is 10 times more difficult to get right than fiberglass. Oh but it is cool. Price still estimated at 5-8K as kit option.

Going Public? We started this company so we could go on the every other day shaving plan. If you visit here you'll notice that dress code and behaviour is linked to creativity and comfort more than business etiquette. I would hate to lose that element. Selling the company would probably change it in some good ways also. Mark's and my approach has been to do all the things that would be valued if we ever were to indeed take that IPO path. Those THREE things are a solid management team, diversified products, and plus 25% growth with margins that don't shrink as top line sales grow. We have done all those things and at this time I think we'd like to build race cars and to hell with Wall Street. 40 million dollars could change my mind, but I doubt it. I have everything I ever wanted and I think Mark would say the same thing. Hell Mark was most happy six years ago when all this was a puzzle to be figured out.. No going public, not now, not in the foreseable future.

One more thing on going public. I think the money is bad. I mean, I've visited Panoz (where money is no object) and toured other small to large manufacturers and development houses. I think a small amount of money helps but I have never seen as talented a design and R&D team as we have. I think that comes from a culture of having to work on real tight budgets with the same or similar constraints as we all have in our personal lives. I think there is a chance that a flush of money would really spur new product development and operations, however there is an equal risk most don't consider that it could harm the very best of our creative culture and core competencies.

Referral or bonuses to customer? I've gone back and forth on this. Truth is we set up the company to work with margins that PREVENTED sales people. My fear is that customers (who are already accused of being brown shirts) could be motivated to get a check. I'd rather put money into a national owners group or club where the benefits are to events and fellowship. I'm not ruling it out mind you, but it's hard to concieve of a system that would work and not corrupt the honest-unfiltered feedback customers give each other. We at FFR can't ever really thank people. More later with more thought.

New Manual? I read a bunch of garbage about our manual on another site. It has been revised by Jesper and is at the printers right now. I don't think it will be as extensive as you guys want. Truth is we have had it on a low priority and it does need a face lift. More photos, more current info. It's important to note that if the manual is so bad that you don't think you can build the car, it might be a good idea to take the three day Mott College Build School. I don't think enough people realize they actually get to build the car themselves in three days. Practice on their car so yours is perfect.

Status of the 250. Ever since the Shelby suit (rights to a 30 year old design that has been replicated 1000 times..) We have taken a tack that replicas are not the future of our company. The problem with the 250 is that folks want an exact replica of a ferrari 250 California Spyder. We won't do that. We have developed a car that is inspired by that one but it really is not what we were going to do years ago when we bought the contemporary tooling. The 250 is our own car and I think it's going to get bumped by the GT-V8. You guys made a huge difference in getting the GT-V8 re-designed. It really is beautiful now and the underpinnings are pure performance. we'll post photos of the current design 250 body for you guys to give us feedback on. At this point I'm not abandoning the project (we've put some serious money into it up to now) I think though that the GT-V12 model (jag V-12 and cool new hood on the GT-V8) will be better received and occupy the same niche.

hello

Faster Dave Faster! Just Kidding

Are we going to make a small block competition model? We have to call it a 64 roadster CE (for champions edition). There is no definitive answer to whether or not we'll make this car. Sorry but here is the status. The contemporary body was mated to an FFR chassis by a customer. The steel and aluminum changes are documented and I have really a rolling chassis version completed here at the factory. What is stopping us? I think I'll have to post the schedule of R&D projects so you guys know the timing of projects an which ones get out the gate. We should have been in production by now. The biggest fear though is that from a business standpoint, why doesn't Chevrolet offer another convertibel two seater sports car? Problem is that if we build 100 65 Roadsters a year and then launch a small block competition model, the next year we might sell 80 of one typr and 20 of the other. The CE version is continually knockedback to the end of the list by GTM, GT-V8, hood hinge, donut guy... If you need an answer it is no, not at this time. I would wrong though to say that we are not working on it with the intentions of launching it. Sorry for now Bill.

typos are a function of speed I'm really a smart guy... really..

Emblems and VIN tags...

Emblems were designed and are at the quoting stage. It's all Jesper's fault... Can't and won't do VIN tags since we are a parts company and we don't build cars at all..

Here's some real meat. Before today I sat down with the guys and they are comming up with a discount schedule for guys wanting the upgraded Mark II stuff. I will have this on our website by next week. Dave Riha is writing it. Not all the things are interchangeble but he has the list. We are currently swapping out seats and we'll do that for anyone, if they're used, it'll be tougher. Upper A-arms, Door Hinges, footbox tubes, rear end brackets, etc. I'll try not to let you guys down. the door hinges need instructions, the parts will be well thought out. Honestly until the meeting we just had I hadn't worked on it and you guys have been left inventing it on your own. Sorry for the grief. End of next week on our site we'll have the catalog etc.. Available ONLY to past FFR owners with older Mark I cars.

Hood hinge is being engineered by John Clark (new grad ME). The design is almost identical to Riha's hood hinge prototype. The design criteria were to be interchangealble with older hinges. Same applies asd Mark II discounts, we'll give anyone who has an older hood hinge a cost plus deal on the new parts. Time is down to weeks not months. As soon as we have it we'll announce on the forums/website.

Later model Mustang stuff. We bought a crashed 1997 4.6 DOC car and it is high on the priority list in R&D. As the time goes by it has become more and more important. Right now R&D projects are prioritized as follows... GT-V8 pilot production, GTM prototyping, 65 roadster issues (minor non-rev issues like hood hinge) I don't want to come back to the roadster for a year or two, the Mark II is so good.

I think the later model 4.6 stuff is easy and not a major rev to the roadster, more like a big block/IRS kit additional option was (just we won't make Diorio the test mule).

Factory Five Racing will produce the best fiberglass body on the planet earth. I have lost more sleep over this issue than any other. There are real world limitations and the fact that my own body shop has taken the worst of our bodies and done a fine job at $2500... well that has really made me less sensitive to the issue. Seams will be a thing of the past. i can't say what that will do to costs but if you know FFR and our history then you know that we have a habit of solving problems. I think you guys will be pleased with what we are working on... Not ready to announce anything untill it's done and in production. I can tell you that we have recently taken two molds off line, reduced our production to ensure only good parts ship and committed over $75K to the issue.

Insurance I will have to leave in the capable hands of you customers. I think if there develops a serious issue, it is not incurable. It may be a matter of perception. Think about the number of 32 ford kit cars (OK hot rods, but they are in fact chassis/body kits). all of our hopes lie with SEMA and by adding these types of cars to their list the lobby in Washington will help replicas join the hot rod fold that is over 100,000 strong. Also maybe a customer based movement that rewards companies that carry these policies with more business. I can't get into the fray but am interested in the outcome.

Not going to change the frame for the power booster. I'll ask my guys to post a section on brake tips. This is a complicated question IF you're not happy witht the stockers. Keep in mind Bondurant is running Spec racer's with stock brakes 2-4 sec's per lap faster than Z-06 corvettes. I think it's pedal pressure and feedback that I want improved, not necessarily actual braking numbers. More on this..

Moving the frame to get 315's under there... maybe in the Mark II version of 2005... Might I suggest a Coupe... The GTM might beat the roadster with this. Thanks for the patience guys... Now lets get ready to rumble.. Huge thanks to Bill and crew for setting this up.

Thanks Dave for taking FFCobra.com up on our offer to chat with us, now let's open the chat room up for questions.... who wants to go first? The chat is scheduled to go until 4:00 PM eastern

Well if that's it then we'll wrap it up...

thanks everyone for waiting... now ask away before he runs off!

Hi Dave, thanks for coming. I, for one wanting an FFR but not having the cash right now, think it's a great idea to GIVE AWAY FFR4000 as a promotion. Has this been considered before?

I think this work alot better than the last time.... easier to watch, read, and have dave answer our listed questions.... Great job!

Why not move the frame tube a bit for those that just have to put a power booster on the cars? Seems like an easy mod to me. Your explanation seems to cater only to racers

Is this microphone working?... Test Test.. Free kit to the first guy... no just kidding..

also, drive shaft hoop? seems easy enough as an option, why not?

i posted, i want my free kit

hahahaha

For those of us with Mark I kits that are not yet complete, do you have any good tips for aligning the doors? My passenger side is off at the upper trailing edge by 1/2" and I don't see a way to adjust the problem out?

Why the GT-V8 as the priority? Is there really a bigger demand for the GT-V8 compared to the GTM or GT-250.

Oops I spoke too soon. I really don't like the brake booster. We tried the Buick CN unit and had three failures (one happened as the car and Driver eval was ending?!!!). I'll ask jesper to look at it again.

any way to make a pedal box?

I just want to thank you for creating a realistic way for people like me to own a dream!

Hey Dave

I think the supply is getting short

You offer the a wiring kit for carbureted Roadsters have you considered offering it as an option for the EFI crowed?

Giveaway kits, we've done four in the last year and a half. Most of the time I can talk my bro into charity stuff, you know Jenny and all. We'll try to do a promo for kit 4000. Drive shaft saftey hoop wasn't on this list. good idea though, Jesper is going to love you.

Supply isn't getting shorter, the donors are costing more.

Dave - I lony posted 14 questions, but the guys had many, many more...