This all started when I saw a Factory Five (FF) '65 (Daytona) Coupe for sale at a car show in Indianapolis. I fell in love with it and at the time didn’t really know what I was looking at enough to realize I was missing out on one HELL of a deal. Over the past 2 or 3 years I’ve often wished I could play Ground Hog Day. I’m mechanical but only about 20% car guy – lots of other interests. IMO you have to be at least 60% car guy to want to devote the time and effort necessary to build one. Having said that, I do spend some time on my ’87 Conquest to keep it up.
Having settled on the Daytona Coupe I started doing research on the various companies and Daytona Coupes, directing most of it toward FF because they have a pretty good marketing arm and avid community. Along the way I ran across RCR. When I saw they have an AFFORDABLE P4 I about fell off my chair as I consider that the most beautiful race car body ever produced. In spite of that, I would lean more toward a T70 or a MkIV to use a small block Chevy or Ford. I am not about to deal with a Ferrari engine and could not put a U.S. small block into a P4 and still live with myself – until I had an evil thought. If I put a Ford in it I could put an historically relevant sticker on the rear saying ‘Ferrari & Ford working together – The Irony!’ Somehow I think I'd be o.k. with that as an explanation for having a Ford engine in a ‘Ferrari’.
Now for the newbie questions. I could bother the factory but my experience has shown forum members to be both knowledgeable and avid. I’m in North Central Indiana, so not too far from RCR in Michigan. I am fairly familiar with the construction of the FF ’65 Coupe, so I will make comparisons to that. FF has pretty good marketing including a build manual for $10! I find RCR’s web site a bit weak on information but I like the look of their product. So… it appears to me the RCR kit is a step up from FF I what it provides. I would call FF complete entry level and RCR mid level. Any comments?
Question 1: How is the fit and finish of RCR kits compared to FF kits?
FF seems to have pretty good factory support.
Question 2: How does RCR factory support compare?
FF frames are welded tube construction. RCR frames are monocoques(?)
Question 3: Does RCR use a universal frame (monocoque) for all of their offerings?
Question 4: It appears the frames are made for dropping in a small block 30x – 35x Ford or Chevy (others as well but I’m looking at Ford or Chevy) engine with no modifications to the supplied kit. Is that correct?
Question 5: Can one order just a manual from RCR to get a better feel for what the kit involves?
The FF kits come as frame/body parts. The RCR kit comes as a ‘roller’
Question 6: Does ‘roller’ AFA an RCR kit is concerned mean monocoque with mounted suspension/brakes/wheels/tires? Wiring/plumbing/interior/body + engine/transmission to be assembled/installed?
Question 7: How are the kits delivered? Everything piled on the roller and they get it as far as my driveway or what?
Question 8: What’s the factory attitude on visits/tours/demos?
Thanks for reading. Sorry for all the starter questions but my experience has shown forum members are usually happy to help. I won’t bother the factory until I need to. Not looking to ramp up on this until after my wife retires mid summer. Like I said, I’m not car guy enough to want to build one but for a P4 I could make an exception!
Having settled on the Daytona Coupe I started doing research on the various companies and Daytona Coupes, directing most of it toward FF because they have a pretty good marketing arm and avid community. Along the way I ran across RCR. When I saw they have an AFFORDABLE P4 I about fell off my chair as I consider that the most beautiful race car body ever produced. In spite of that, I would lean more toward a T70 or a MkIV to use a small block Chevy or Ford. I am not about to deal with a Ferrari engine and could not put a U.S. small block into a P4 and still live with myself – until I had an evil thought. If I put a Ford in it I could put an historically relevant sticker on the rear saying ‘Ferrari & Ford working together – The Irony!’ Somehow I think I'd be o.k. with that as an explanation for having a Ford engine in a ‘Ferrari’.
Now for the newbie questions. I could bother the factory but my experience has shown forum members to be both knowledgeable and avid. I’m in North Central Indiana, so not too far from RCR in Michigan. I am fairly familiar with the construction of the FF ’65 Coupe, so I will make comparisons to that. FF has pretty good marketing including a build manual for $10! I find RCR’s web site a bit weak on information but I like the look of their product. So… it appears to me the RCR kit is a step up from FF I what it provides. I would call FF complete entry level and RCR mid level. Any comments?
Question 1: How is the fit and finish of RCR kits compared to FF kits?
FF seems to have pretty good factory support.
Question 2: How does RCR factory support compare?
FF frames are welded tube construction. RCR frames are monocoques(?)
Question 3: Does RCR use a universal frame (monocoque) for all of their offerings?
Question 4: It appears the frames are made for dropping in a small block 30x – 35x Ford or Chevy (others as well but I’m looking at Ford or Chevy) engine with no modifications to the supplied kit. Is that correct?
Question 5: Can one order just a manual from RCR to get a better feel for what the kit involves?
The FF kits come as frame/body parts. The RCR kit comes as a ‘roller’
Question 6: Does ‘roller’ AFA an RCR kit is concerned mean monocoque with mounted suspension/brakes/wheels/tires? Wiring/plumbing/interior/body + engine/transmission to be assembled/installed?
Question 7: How are the kits delivered? Everything piled on the roller and they get it as far as my driveway or what?
Question 8: What’s the factory attitude on visits/tours/demos?
Thanks for reading. Sorry for all the starter questions but my experience has shown forum members are usually happy to help. I won’t bother the factory until I need to. Not looking to ramp up on this until after my wife retires mid summer. Like I said, I’m not car guy enough to want to build one but for a P4 I could make an exception!