Messages

Hey Bill!

I still drop by time to time too. There's much in the way of info on the "Dark Side", so I search it when needed.
Larry

That's great news! If we (car owners) can help out with anything, don't be afraid to ask. We all have the same dream to see Hurricane return to the company it was.
Larry

So does anyone know what original car was used to make the molds?
Larry

Hey Bill
Not sure if it's been scheduled yet but are you going to make the Az Cobras Christmas get together this year?
It'll be in PHX. Last year, we met at on of the members place of business. Always have a good time, so I hope you can make it.
Larry

Hey Paul,
The spacing between the mounts on our cars looks to about 16". I'm not sure if Flaming River produces something with the same spacing but I know they make a PS rack and pinion. You can probably find out from them if they make a power rack with that mount spacing.
HTH
Larry

Cool!
You can really see the difference in the rollbar brace. Looks much better with it farther back.
Larry

1111, wow!
Now I feel REALLY old!
BTW, welcome!
Larry

I would have ordered my car with IRS instead of changing it later, like I'm doing now.
In defense of my absent-mindedness... it wasn't available when I bought my car. So I forgive myself for not ordering it in first place!
Larry

All of the nuts/bolts/washers are grade 8.
The windshield angle could be set with more rake if you wanted. It's the first thing to do when the build starts.
The best way to make the brakes work on an FFR would be to use a master cylinder not designed for power brakes. There is a vender making a Wilwood master cylinder/pedal kit for FFR that is very nice and gives you the same basic set up that Hurricane already comes with. IMO, that's the way to make the brakes work.
The tub rivets and bolts on to the frame. I added sealant to the joint to make it water tight and I added more rivets than the manual called for. My tub is also coated with Herculiner on the bottom and fender wells. Some builders are bolting the body on and glassing it to the frame/tub. It isn't removable then but it makes everything real tight and solid. Others don't.
As far as ride height, Ken has HM1001 set fairly low and I think it looks good.
Good luck with your research!
Larry

Welcome Bill! I've been following your GT40 build and to say I'm really impressed would an understatment! Your attention to detail is outstanding. If you ever have any questions about Hurricane, feel free to ask or email me.
Larry

Hey Bill
I read your thread on CC and just kept laughing at what those guys at the gas station were saying. I would have told them what I was driving once they hanged themselves but you're the bigger man for sure.
I agree with you about the bashing that goes on. There's always a few nobs in the bunch, whatever the group I guess.
Anyway, glad to have you here on this site as well. If ever have any questions about our cars, fell free to email me.
Larry

Well said Bill.
Larry

Hey Malcolm
On the rear end, I picked the 9" solid axle because the IRS unit wasn't quite ready for sale when I ordered mine. However, if I had to do it over, I would have opted for IRS. (and I still may buy it and switch mine out.) I have the 3.50 or 3.54 or whatever the 9" ratio is in 3.5. I can't remember the exact ratio at the moment. Limited slip is a must with either set up, trust me. I think Tom has IRS on his car if I'm not mistaken. Maybe he'll chime in and can tell you more about his.
The only photo I have of my car next to an FFR is when my car arrived, a couple friends came by to help unload boxes. One was an FFR MKIII and I took a photo of the two together. Kind of hard to tell the differences in photo's but in real life, the more you look the more obvious they become.
There's also this line up: http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm
Larry

Here's the photo I took of mine:

Hey Malcolm
You may have been told this before but I urge you to read about the frame set up ERA uses and why they use it. It is true that FFR does have a stout frame. It was designed to be a race car from the beginning as the Smith brothers wanted to race cars as a hobby. That led to the FFR being produced, but making a round tube car stiff is different than making a box tube car. Most people don't really understand how it works.
Hurricane uses a frame design similar to that of ERA. Read this about round tube vs square tube: http://www.erareplicas.com/misc/stress/deslogic.htm

As for the cars being too high; Take a look at HM1001: http://forum.hurricane-motorsports.com/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1152563959
His car looks just about perfect for height in my opinion.

I'm not going to bash FFR. It's a well made and well thought out car. And I know them very well as I've built one that belongs to my brother. But what I wanted was a car that was much closer in shape and profile to an original and FFR couldn't fit that bill IMO. The body is just too far off. I couldn't swing an ERA which was my first choice, (SPF was never considered) when I happened onto Hurricane and they offered what I was after. I would buy another one if I had it to do over again too.
Let me know if I can answer any questions about FFR or Hurricane.
Larry

Welcome Bryan!
This is going to be a great family project and I hope we can all help with advice if needed. Lots of build info in the owners section. There's lots to read, so the wait won't be too bad. ( I hope!)
Larry