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Factory Five Racing is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality Ford Cobra replica kits. The Massachusetts-based company began making its Cobra roadsters in 1995. Thanks to Factory Five kits, countless aspiring racers can own an old-school Cobra at a reasonable price.
There’s an excellent almost-finished example of the 33 Hot Rod for sale now on eBay. It’s equipped with a GM Deluxe 350 cubic-inch crate engine, a rebuilt 700R4 overdrive transmission, and a Ford 8.8 rear end. But the seller admits that the project is not yet finished.
Is that a warning sign or an opportunity? Read on.
A Treasure Trove of Parts
The seller provides a list of the Factory Five kit components totaling more than $27,000. There’s also $1,200 worth of wheels and tires, a $3,500 290-horsepower crate engine, a $1,200 transmission, and a $750 drive kit. These items bring the total to about $33,000, matching the car’s Buy-It-Now price on eBay.
Factory Five’s engineering is built on the company’s award-winning complete jig-welded tube frame. The frame includes powder-coating and a 4-link rear suspension. The front suspension features unequal-length a-arm control arms with in-board coilover shocks.
This project car has several things in its favor:
- There’s a working drivetrain in place. No need to hunt down other components. That’s major.
- Factory Five offers customer support to answer technical and build questions.
- The company hosts a builders forum for owners to connect with one another.
How to Inspect an Unfinished Project Car
The seller is upfront about the car needing to be finished. An onsite inspection before purchase is a good idea. If you can’t get to Utah or don’t know any skilled mechanics there, consider using WeGoLook, an eBay Motors partner. WeGoLook, provides basic onsite inspections conducted by an approved third party, usually at a discounted rate.
Here’s a quick inspections checklist:
Chassis Build
Factory Five Racing has years of experience building a race-ready chassis. Its reputation goes a long way toward trusting the car’s underpinnings. But it’s essential to double-check the builder’s work evident in the quality of the welds.
Fiberglass Body Problems
The bodywork and paint on a kit car pose unique challenges. Based on the photos, the 33 Hot Rod’s fiberglass body is solid and properly sealed. The seller doesn’t note any body issues. But you should take a close look for tiny cracks or other damage that could eventually pose a problem.
Examine the Drivetrain
Is the crate engine “new?” Can you track down paperwork about the drivetrain’s history? If not, you’ll need to sleuth out the details. For example, engines and cylinder heads should have stamped numbers identifying the engine block and heads. The stampings might also provide clues about intake manifolds, fuel systems, and electronics.
If the transmission is described, check for the correct numbers on the case and tail shaft. The numbers could on an embossed tag attached to one of the internal cover bolts, although these tags can disappear during the rebuilding process.
The same holds for the rear differential housing. You might not learn about the gear ratio, but you can get details about the differential model.
Create a To-Do List
The seller of the 33 Hot Rod points out the interior and glass, which are part of the kit, were not installed. This task requires final paint on interior surfaces before builders can put the carpets and trim in place. The doors, hood, trunk, and hardtop also need fit and finish before the final painting.
The wiring is in place, but the seller says it still needs to be sleeved and organized after verifying all connections. It’s important to inspect everything on the car—but just as important to do a thorough assessment of what’s still left to do.
With an unfinished project car, you might not know for sure what you are buying. But DIYers always have the opportunity to make changes to paint finishes, trim installation, and other cosmetic elements. At the same time, today’s kit cars—especially when they are practically already built—can give builders a big head start on a dream car.
There’s another Factory Five 33 Hot Rod currently listed on eBay. But this one completely finished with 12,000 miles on the odometer and a current bid of $21,000. It’s a similar car but fully completed. There are a few paint imperfections, but this example appears to be a a turnkey vehicle that’s ready to rumble. As a completed car, you don’t have to finish assembly and paint. But you also don’t have an easy opportunity to experience the fun of the build.
