Factory Five Roadster Build Part 1: Project Snake Charmer

Delivery Day
Knowing the Roadster was en route from Massachusetts to Florida, I had a few days to get my act together. First, the garage got cleaned out, which was way overdue anyway. The bicycles, lawn mower, and other items taking squatter's rights next to my '66 Mustang were dragged to the back porch (I'll build a shed this summer). Then I moved the '66 as far as possible to the right for working room.

Cutting after measuring the body buck.

With the garage taken care of, I enlisted the help of our Online Editor, Greg Clark, to assist in building the wooden body buck. The body buck will store the fiberglass body while chassis work is completed. Plans for the buck are included in the Roadster manual, though we deviated slightly with optional build plans found on www.ffcobra.com.

When an FFR Roadster is ready for shipping, you can take delivery yourself (which many people do), or opt for a shipping company to pick it up for you. If the kit is shipped, you generally have to have it crated, which is an additional $575

Stewart Transport (888/737-4852; www.stewarttransport.com) has specially fitted semi-trailers with cranes and winches to safely store and deliver your uncrated Roadster right to your residence or workshop..
Check out video of the chassis being unloaded!
Windows Media | Quicktime

Stewart Transport will help set up the kit in your garage on your jackstands, and will unload the roughly 20 boxes of additional kit parts as well.
See video of the chassis being rolled into the garage.
Windows Media | Quicktime

Drivers Dennis and Jolene Patterson had the kit unloaded and in my garage in about 20 minutes-well worth the price of admission.
Check out video of the chassis being placed on the jackstands.
Windows Media | Quicktime

Garage Setup
In preparation for delivery day, my two-car garage was outfitted with a workshop computer with wireless Internet capabilities. This greatly enhanced the work area by allowing me to quickly get answers to any build questions on the ffcobra.com forum, view product instructions, and, of course, transmit the ever-important work tunes from the computer inside the house.

I also dropped a few bucks on some shop lighting with pull-string switches. Easily installed with drywall anchors and plugged into an existing outlet, their installation will improve nighttime working conditions.