SharkHide prep and performace
Todd, Thanks for the Kudos. I first cleaned the panels with lacquer thinner. Then cleaned them with diluted Simple Green and rinsed with water.

The thinner removes the oils and silicon, and the Simple Green removes the organic compounds.

The finish is holding up extremely well. Be sure to use at least 3 coats and don't splash any solvents on it.
— GREG M, August 14, 2009

Greg, I LOVED your site!! Great insights and some wonderful pictures that have already helped me as I build my MKIII. Two questions on the polished panels: 1) Sharkhide instructions indicate that all polish should be stripped before coating. Did you apply directly over the Mothers polish or did you clean them first? 2) How is the finish holding up?

thx Todd
— Todd, August 14, 2009

Thanks for looking!
Build site statistics as of 5/7/09:

848,292 photos viewed, 42,338 visitors
— GREG M, May 7, 2009

You are welcome, Shelby Micke
Good luck on your build. You will have a real attention getter on the roads in Sweden.
— GREG M, December 29, 2008

Thank's from Stockholm, Sweden.
Hi I want to send You a million thank's for the very informative site, and all the photos.

I'm building a ac Cobra replica myself, but it's not bought from a company. I used a form that's made of a real -66 Cobra and made the shell in fibreglass myself.

I have now, in a week or two, made the frame drawings from pictures of different companys frames.

My intentions are to take the Ac Cobra S/C 1966 into the 21:st century. I'v bought a brand new 1998 Mustang Cobra DOHC 32V engine, 100% complete from air filter to the exaust system. It also includes a T-45 5 speed manual gearbox, and a 8,8" axle. I will mount the rear axle in Art Morrisons Triangulated 4 bar system and in front Art Morrisons Mustang II front.

I will use the ABS function and are thinking of trying to also build in a anti spinn function.

Thank's again for all the nice pic's You have on Your site, it's really inspirational.

Best regards Shelby Micke
— Shelby Micke, December 27, 2008

Website is still up and running!
Worldisround may have worked out it's financial issues. The site is still up and running! As of today, this buildsite has been hit 33,358 times and 652,827 photos have been viewed.
— GREG M, October 23, 2008

upretirementman
Do like I did... Copy every single item, the thumbnail, the small, the largest photo and be sure to get the text for each photo too. then burn a DVD with everything on it.
— Paul Coones, June 11, 2008

Miranda
It was nice meeting you. Thanks for checking out the biuld site and leaving the comment. I hope you can reach your dream of building a car of your own. If you have any questions, just ask. Go to www.ffcobra.com and select "65 roadster forum" for 17,000 people who share our interest. I'm Greg_M on there as well.
— GREG M, June 9, 2008

Hello again!! We met at Sweetwater Hospital! (the enthusiast)Thank you so much for sharing your website with me. I have spent the last 2 DAYS looking over your pictures and reading your progress. I literally felt myself getting excited for you when the body was finally ready for paint! She is LOVELY. It's been my dream since I was a little girl to have one of my own and maybe one day I'll be emailing you for tips regarding my own build!!
— Miranda, May 30, 2008

Thanks John,
John, By day I am an Electronics Engineer specializing in MRI medical scanners, superconducting magnets and cryogen systems. I have always been detail oriented and like almost anything technical.
— GREG M, May 26, 2008

Greg, I waws wondering what kind of work you do for a Day Job? Your attention to detail is great. Im a jeweler so im very much intersted in in the fine detail to the car. Im hoping to start a Build soon.
— John, May 26, 2008

This Might Be Goodbye For Me
Thanks everyone for your many positive comments over the last 4 years. It's been an honor to have so many of you view the site. As of today, more that 27,000 people have visited and looked at 495,000 photos from this site. AMAZING! Worldisround is closing down and unless I can find a new home for the buildsite it will be no longer.

Greg_M
— GREG M, April 29, 2008

Absolutely awesome detail during your build. Perfect selection of components!

Best of luck with your Cobra. Hopefully, I will be so lucky to build one this nice!
— Greg D, March 15, 2008

I just spent the morning looking through the pictures of your build. This is one of the best documented builds I have seen and one of the nicest cars. There is lots of good information and helpful hints. I plan a build in Jan. 08. Thanks for posting a great and informative site.

Eddie
— Eddie Haas, December 18, 2007

Hi Robert, RE cavitation
Thanks for checking out the buildsite. I'm pleased you were able to decide on the FFR Roadster. You won't be disappointed. Having 2 bodies is a novel idea and one that makes since if you are showing/racing the car.

The stock Mustang has a 1.25" top radiator hose and a 1.5" lower radiator hose. I installed a 4-core radiator and all the hoses are upgraded to 1.75", top/bottom. I have run the car in 100 degree weather on long trips in city/highway traffic with the AC running and have NEVER had the temp go over 200 deg with a 195 deg thermostat installed. The only reason it went to 200 deg is because that's where I have the thermostat set on the electric fan. So I suppose cavitation is not a problem or at least has no adverse affect on engine cooling if it's present.
— Greg_M, October 28, 2007

Inspirational indeed!
I hadn't heard about FFR until yesterday. Then I found your site today. What kind of performance car to buy/restore? That is no longer a question after perusing your build diary. My wife sealed it when she suggested building one chassis and two skins. One with major paint and show for summer and one with a tougher less elegant finish and a removable hard-top to drive in the grumpy seasons. As for the guys at Superformance, I'm supposing that they aren't savvy enough to know what a real Cobra looks like anyway as you seem to have had to let them in on the actual nature of the car or they are just insanely jealous. One way or the other they don't seem to actually appreciate a really fine automobile. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail are exemplary. One curiosity, are you having any issues with cavitation being generated in your coolant by the right angle plumbing in that bottom radiator tube?
— Robert Hathaway, October 27, 2007

Paint Info
Chris, Thanks for leaving a great comment! The paint codes are: Viper Silver Metallic Clearcoat CODE A9 Lexus Indigo Ink Pearlcoat CODE 8P4 I added this info in the photos as well. The paint was PPG Deltron DBU base coat and PPG Concept clear. The sealer was 2K urethane.
— GREG M, October 12, 2007

Lexus Indigo Ink Pearl Metallic
Stunning - and I'm absolutely in love with the colour. Greg, my FFR Mark III is "almost" complete, and the shell is going in for bodywork and paint over the winter. I was wondering if you had the paint codes and paint manufacturer's name for that amazing blue and the stripes.
— Chris Burchell, October 11, 2007

WOW What a site.What a sight! Fantastic effort, fantastic achievement. Inspirational.
— patrick h, September 14, 2007

I Love Your Site
Greg, I just spent 2+ hours looking at your photos and descriptions and all I can say is WOW! You have done an amazing job on your car. I've saved a bunch of photos in a file so I can use some of your ideas. You should be proud!

Take care, John OH
— John Jones, August 28, 2007

Thanks Jim
If you are looking for vehicle that offers the most fun on wheels, this car is for you. I've owned bikes, boats, and cars and I can say without hesitation this is the most rewarding toy I have ever owned.
— Greg M, August 24, 2007

Awesome Site!
Your build site is the best I've seen! The pictures and descriptions are great. The level of effort you're putting into the roadster serves as an inspiration to those of us thinking about doing this build. Thanks!
— Jim (Dargo), August 24, 2007

Thanks Andrew(s)
Are you the same two Andrews? Anyway I used the lines that came with the kit and also bought a few short pre-flared lines and couplers from Advance. I buffed everything to look like stainless and coated with SharkHide.
— Greg M, June 16, 2007

Brake lines
Great build Greg, I really like the look of the fix brake lines. Where did you source you tube and fittings. Regards Andrew
— Andrew Hocking, June 15, 2007

Superb Build
Its a credit to how much effort you have put in. Your car is one of the nicest I have seen. I'm starting a big build push on mine in a couple of weeks, I'll be happy if it looks half as good.

Great job, congratulations
— Andrew, June 14, 2007

Greg
Just wonderful! You are sure to win every prize at every event you enter it in! Thanks for the wonder photos too! Congratulations on every aspect of your build!

Paul ( upretirmentman )
— Paul Coones, May 21, 2007

Expansion tank source
Ken - I picked it up on Ebay for $40. It needed extensive re-plumbing and a custom mount to fit my application.
— Greg M, March 28, 2007

Was wondering where you acquired the Black Expansion Tank for your Cooling System on the right side of your engine compartment. I have been looking for one and have not had any luck.
— ken kemper, March 27, 2007

Reply to Stan
Stan, Thanks for the comments. I would be glad to speak with you. You can reach me gsmarsh@comcast.net
— Greg M, March 2, 2007

Build question
Greg,

Would it be possible to get your e-mail address, I have a few questions. E-mail me if you can, thanks.

Stan
— Stan Knight, March 2, 2007

Amazing build
I just went through every picture and narrative, I can't believe you have the time to document it as well as you have while building it. Great color, very impressed with your attention to detail, you must be very proud of it. I'm dying to start building one. Good luck. Stan
— Stan Knight, March 1, 2007

Greg
That's a very beautiful color! Good Choice.

Paul
— Paul Coones, January 28, 2007

Great Build Site
Greg, you should do the installation manual for F5! Great site, Congrats. Jeff B.
— Jeff Bordenave, December 14, 2006

Thanks Paul
Paul, It may have looked easy but it was tedious and actually took 5 full days to install the insulation and the carpet. I still have to make some floor mats out of extra carpet pieces and trim them with leather. It never ends...
— GREG M, December 13, 2006

upretirementman
Greg

Thanks so much for updating us on your carpet installation! I saved all the photos for future reference on my Cobra Simulator. You make it look so easy too! Looking forward to the door panels, etc! It looks very nice. Good Job!
— Paul Coones, December 13, 2006

Greg

How are you doing installing the carpets? When can we expect to see the photos? We all are looking forward to your progress!

Paul
— upretirementman, December 6, 2006

Reply to Albert
Hey, you caught me! Yes I am an ex-Houstonian. Thanks for the comments. I really appreciate any comments from FFR builders. You guys know what it takes to build one of these cars.
— GREG M, November 12, 2006

Great job. I am gonna save this for future reference. Fine job on the aluminum. You must be from Texas (Shiner beer). I live in Victoria, Texas and am building a Mark III now. Thanks for the pictures.
— Albert Johnson, November 12, 2006

Response to Paul, RE: photos
Paul,

I'm using a 7 year old Sony DSC-S70 3 mega pixel digital camera. It has an amazing macro zoom mode. All of the photos maintain the "full size" as original if you select view full size photo. You can save the photos directly from the site. Thanks for the complement!
— GREG M, November 8, 2006

upretirementman
Greg, your photos are wonderful. What camera are you using to get such detail? What format are the ones on your website? And size? Do you have the original ones available if one should ask for a particular one to be emailed to us?
— Paul Coones, November 5, 2006

FFR Fanatic
Thanks Dennis - I'm glad the site has some value for others. There are a few gotchas in the build. I look at the kit as a starting point for a really great car. It's what you put into it that determines what your final result will look and drive like. The manual is useless in my opiniom. If it weren't for the FFR Forum, I would much farther behind. You can always email me at gsmarsh@comcast.net for any questions. Good Luck!
— Greg_M, June 13, 2006

Great build site
Your site reinforces what I aleady know about FFR and the Smith Bros. The attention to detail and personal touches evident in your build pics and narrative are a solid paradigm for prospective builders like me, and I'm convinced the Smiths should make you their poster boy. There is a solitay reference to a "Gotcha," however, with the front suspension, and I'm curious if there were others that might be worth mentioning before I order my MKIII kit. I recognize that it is probably an aggregate of "little" gotchas rather than great engineering that frustrate and short-circuit some FFR builds, and I don't want to fall victim to that. Any help you might provide would be most appreciated.
— Dennis, June 12, 2006

Reply to Max
Thanks Max! I'm Greg_M on the FFR Cobra forum so you can always send me a private mail anytime. Good luck with your build! Greg
— Greg_M, March 28, 2006

Greg, I love your work on the car and your documentation! I will certainly be using some of your ideas and techniques for my own MKIII build starting May '06. Wish I could see this in person. Perhaps I could contact you with questions, in the future? Thanks, Max
— Max K, March 28, 2006

Alternator-reply
The 2G and 3G alternators work fine. Just buy the 3-wire D-connector from NAPA, add the main output wire, and a field wire and you're good to go.
— Greg_M, January 2, 2006

three wire alternator
I'm building a roadster similar to yours, the level of craftmanship in your project has given me a target to shoot for. Were you able to wire the three wire alternator? ff5 guys say it won"t work. Please let me know 425-508-4468 happy new year
— dave, December 31, 2005

Very Nice Site and Photos
Thanks for posting some of the best build photos I have seen recently. I picked up some good ideas from them. Good luck on the build and keep up the great work! Mike-AZ
— Mike, November 12, 2005

Hey Tuff in TX Watch talking about girls: Greg sent me this site, and I am a girl. I enjoy looking at his progress. Yes we like to ride in them, but some of us like to see the process that it takes to take that ride. (HA) Greg, you are doing an awsome job. I will keep checking your web site now that I have the address to see your progress. I cannot wait to see you and Deb riding in it on the road.
— Julie, October 17, 2005

Steve McQueen
Is this the car Steve McQueen drove in Buillitt (the best car chase movie ever)? Anyway, Deb sent me the link to your site and although chicks may not like to put together cool cars, we sure like to ride in em! What an awesome project! Tom says hey!
— Tiff in Texas, September 28, 2005

Response to Mike Mazoway
Mike, Yes the kit is everything I expected. The nature of the FFR kit lends itself to all kinds of home fabricated upgrades that make each build unique. I spend at least 3 times as much time mocking up new ideas and planning ahead than I do actually building. As far as what would I do different? Not sure yet-so far nothing. Greg
— Greg_M, July 31, 2005

Wonderful site. Lots of good info for someone like me who is considering taking the plunge. The real questions are a) did the kit live up to your expectations? and b) what would you do differently if you were to do it again. Response would be appreciated. Mike
— Mike Mazoway, July 30, 2005

Nice job! I can't wait till you pull up outside and ask if I'm interested in a ride. Sorry it took so long to get here. I can only imagine what the body will look like with the detail you used on what is normally unseen.
— Rick M, June 10, 2005

Greg - Just visited your site. Very impressed with your work! I am scheduled to attend the Motts College build school 7/19 and am currently sourcing/planning parts, etc. You should be very proud of your start! - Ken
— Ken Moon, June 2, 2005