Subaru based kit car anyone?

[PhyrraM]

For those that remember and admired the concept of the original "Single Donor" Factory Five Roadster (Cobra Replica), but thought something a bit more modern and mid-engined would be sweet.

Lifted from the Factory Five website: http://www.factoryfive.com/whatsnew/upd ... ml#nextcar

The Next Factory Five Car

Based on tough Subaru WRX running gear, Factory Five's next car has been in development for almost a year. With a space frame designed and tested on SolidWorks software, this single donor car will sell for $9,900. We will use our 15 years of accumulated design and manufacturing skills to deliver a "world car" that can be COMPLETED for less than $15,000.

* Single Donor Subaru WRX Running Gear
* Factory Five Space Frame Chassis, 95" Wheel Base
* Mid-Engine, Rear Wheel Drive Configuration
* Target weight - 1,800 lbs.
* Two Seater Roadster (Removable Hard Top)
* No Paint, Gel Coat Panels
* Target Kit Price: $9,900
* Target Vehicle Completion Cost Under $15,000

Design Partners: SolidWorks Software, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

"Have you ever wondered what would happen if you stuffed a Subaru WRX motor into something that's mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, and weighs less than 2,000 lbs.? Because that's the next Factory Five car - a two-seater built around inexpensive and indestructible Subaru running gear. The styling isn't finalized, but I'm imaging something that looks like Lancia Stratos. And if you don't break into a creepy serial-killer smile every time you imagine an affordable, WRX-based Stratos, then you are some kind of weirdo. The car's new wheelbase is locked in at 95" which is a little longer then an Exige."--Ezra Dyer, Automobile Magazine

Body Design Competition
The base dimensions, running gear, and chassis/suspensions work has been determined. The body shape of this two-seater, mid-engined roadster is not finalized and we have decided, in conjunction with Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, to sponsor a body design competition open to the public and hosted by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine. Full details on this competition will be released shortly and submissions dates begin March 1st.

Full details will be released on our website shortly.

[evolutionmovement]

Shit, that should be a great deal! They're only about an hour and a half from me.

For anyone unfamiliar with FFR, the quality of their chassis engineering is very good. To call them kit cars is almost insulting in light of the horrors that people usually think of when they hear the word. These are production performance cars that get around the red tape and legal issues of manufacturing and the expense of running gear by falling into the kit car umbrella, but they aren't Fieros with terrible "Lambo" bodies bolted on—they are properly engineered chassis. They also side on performance over authenticity. For instance, the 65 Coupe and 33 Hot Rod aren't trying to look exactly like the originals, and don't (but they're passable), because the chassis is designed for racing rather than trying to fool people into thinking you've an original rarity. Were I not building my own vehicle, I'd probably build a 65 Coupe or buy a 33 chassis without the body. I included an LS3 powered 65 in my 3rd book and if my Tigershark is viable for sales, I'm going to go to them first to see about building the production chassis.

This is exciting news!

[n2x4]

I hope it looks amazing. I'd love to build one.

[kimokalihi]

So for $10K plus $5K for whatever the extra $5K is for you can get all the parts including the engine and drivetrain? Plus you don't have to paint it? wow that sounds amazing.

[evolutionmovement]

It should also be easy to build with as much as possible from a single donor if it follows their other vehicles, which are also pretty good deals. The company is also friendly and helpful, with a good relationship with GRM and people who race their cars. For their 33 Hot Rod, they only decided to build it when they knew it could outhandle their Cobra. Yes, I am a big fan of these guys.

[PhyrraM]

Just as an update, FF has just launched new factory-sponsored forums. http://www.thefactoryfiveforum.com

They are also working in conjunction with Grassroot Motorsports on a design competition for the new Subaru based car. More info will be coming on March 1st, but it looks like the final design could be fan submitted. (assuming it's better than their in-house design)

They are also having an informal naming competition on the forums.

Man- with 3 turbo Subarus under my roof, and at least a cars worth of spare parts laying around--this thing is tailor made for a guy like me. Just gotta save the 10K before it's released.

[darkcrave]

Id cash out for that! Paint it flat black