December 28
Since we are having these little problems deciding what to get, we decided to call FFR and see if we could have a tour Jan 9th, which they said was no problem. Also called my friend at Steeda and talked about Engine options. He said he would send me a price list. One a bit pricey, the other more tame for a 5.0. Dad decided to stay with the ol' reliable 5.0.

December 26
Toady we started by going to Hechingers and getting a bunch of things we need to make our Cobra. Things like a Rivet tool and the all-important compressor and tools. OK, maybe the compressor is not really NEEDED, but how I've complained over the months about rotating tires and things like that.  A compressor could really help.
We tried to go to local auto parts stores, but most were closed, dang holidays. I guess we'll try again next weekend, no wait, that's a holiday too!

December 25
Well it went even better then I thought. His First response, "You're Kidding". That's about all he said for the first 10 minutes. After that, the thought started sticking and then silence as I tried to describe what this is all about. Long story short ... He is even more excited then I thought he'd be!

Decisions, Decisions. I can't believe the Decisions. Knowing full well this is his car, Mom and I have put in our two cents on the options. Color and type of body for one are still in debate. Others are engines, transmissions, donor parts (or new), wheel size, and a few others.

December 21
Called FFR today to see if they could E-mail me a letter saying something like ... Congratulations Mr. Joe Shuffleton, You are now the proud owner/builder of a Cobra .... Something we could put in the present for him. I thought it would look good on official letter head. Not only did they say they'd write something up, but they said they would Fed-Ex it to me! Very nice. I'll be looking for it in the mail.
 
December 15
Received in the mail the purchase kit for the Cobra. Mom thought it would be a good idea to give Dad the Shirt for Christmas, make him think about it for a minute. Sounds like a plan to me.
I've been working on finalizing the public site and hope to have that setup very soon. I'll let everyone know what the site is a little after Christmas.

Next step is calling about the Donor Car and a trailer to haul this "big lug" back to Virginia.

Our plan for the Donor car is actually to buy all the parts stripped from whomever FFR recommends. The reason we are choosing this route is because I hope to get a friend at Steeda Racing to set us up with a nice 5.0 or 5.7 and tranny. Rather then waste a lot of time and money, I think this should be easier.

We recently bought a GMC Yukon with the nice trailer package. Actually, just good timing, we needed it for something else, and I hope to use it to go to New England and get the Cobra when it is ready. I plan on calling FFR and seeing who they have local so I might be able to get a one way trailer to VA. Wish me luck.

December 10
Today I E-mailed Thomas Christoph who created the great website about  building a Factory Five Cobra. Not only did he NOT mind me pretty much copying his web site, but he offered to send the website to me on CD! Great guy! Check out his Site!
I've been working on this site quite a bit. Not too HTML savvy as you can tell. But having fun.

December 8
Today we called back and added 7 options to the list:
Windwings
Catalytic converters
Windshield Wiper Set
Hood Hinge Set
Body Cutouts
Heater/Defroster Kit
Dropped Foot box

December 7
Well it's ordered. Mother and I ordered Dad's Factory Five Cobra today. She'll be ready for pickup February 13th. I also talked to a very helpful gentleman in Herndon, Va who told me about the fun I'll have trying to get this registered in VA. He told me I could come see his car. I'm hoping to bring my Dad down soon after Christmas, but before the class.