For those of you who don't know me I enjoy mechanical stuff.  I grew up with a small machine shop at home and a Dad who could fix & build just about anything.   When I turned 14 I began the restoration of my first car - a 1968 302 Mustang.   I went on to restore a 67 Firebird Convertible (400 ....4-Speed) and along the way helped friends with other interesting toys.... John's 67 Firebird stuffed with a 454,  Adam's beautiful 68 327 Camaro and an early seventies Corvette.      

For many years my auto passion sat idle but in the summer of 2002, I purchased a rolling FFR MKI chassis (#1379) from a friend.    This is where my website begins.   It is not my intent to document every detail of the build but instead to highlight my progress and hopefully provide ideas for others considering similar builds. 

My build probably started like others who purchased a semi-finished car.  I was a little reluctant to touch anything that was already done but at the same time I felt compelled to verify that the components were assembled correctly.     Even though everything was sound, I wanted to do it better.    Basically.... I wanted to do it my way.    So...I tore it down to the frame and started over.   I hope you enjoy my build..... and with any luck my car will look close to this when it is done.

I have finally found the perfect paint combination (above) - this car is owned by Walt Steele of Charlotte, NC.       

Guiding Principals:

The original owner (also Kevin) made his purchase decisions based on three guiding principals: 

1) do the parts offer a "period" look? 

2) would the parts add mass?

3) would the parts improve performance?

These principals drove such decisions as purchasing aluminum heads, switching to carburetion, Team III rims, aftermarket control arms, manual steering & brakes, no heater, etc.    I share the same principals except I have added safety as a 4th factor.   Ultimately my Cobra will be completed using best practices engineering and high quality parts.   I would like to say that it will be built without concern for cost but clearly this is not my objective.    This build will  be upper middle class ....with lots of sweat, a few abrasions and plenty of respect.