December 2009 Car of the Month

[Tim M]

Looking in the future: This months feature car belongs to Tom Keiser. Tom's FFR MK1.5, # 2636, was built by Tom. Started in August of 2001 and licensed to drive in July of 2002. The beautiful paint job, done by Murrill Feldman(?) in Washington, MO is 2002 Viper Red with GM Artic White stripes. Tom loves to drive this car and has driven it to the London Cobra show 4 times and taken various cruises two of which were over 300 miles. The car's odometer reading is 27,600 which proves Tom and Linda get out and enjoy their car as much as possible. Tom didn't just go out and buy this car, his wife Linda gave it to him as a surprise for Christmas in 2000. Many of you have seen this car in full "dress" with numbers, stripes and various decals which he got from Finish Line accessories. Below are more details on this month's car as well as some additional photo's.

The engine

1992 302 roller block
Vortech V-1 SC-Trim Supercharger
Vortech fuel management unit, 8:1 disc
Ford Racing X303 heads
Forged pistons
9:1 compression
1.7:1 Crane roller rockers
E303 cam
Port matched 96 Explorer intake
24lb. injectors
75mm Pro-M Mass Air Meter
65mm Throttle Body
MSD Pro Billet distributor
MSD Superconductor plug wires

Car in full "dress"

GT-40 style wheels by PS Engineering 7.5x15" front, 9.5x15" rear
BFG radial T/A’s, 235/60 front, 275/50 rear

Interior Shot

Sube Cobra classic seats
Stewart Warner gauges
180mph reverse reading speedometer
Simpson harnesses
Moto Lita steering wheel
Finishline wiper setup, visors, wind wings, roll bar grommets,
badges, shift handle, static cling numbers etc.

Nice shot that ALMOST captures the true color of Tom's car. It truly is a work of art and is an awesome example of how to assemble a great car that can be really enjoyed.

Some additional details:
Mallory boost sensitive adjustable fuel pressure regulator
FloTech ceramic coated 1-5/8” shorty headers
Ford Racing aluminum radiator
T-5Z “World Class” transmission with 2:95 first gear
B&M Ripper shifter, adjustable
Ford 8.8 traction lock rear end / 3:73 gears
Tubular upper A arms with Pro Shock coilovers in front
Ford Racing lower control arms with “lifetime” ball joints
3-link with upper chassis brace and Carrera coilovers in rear
Manual steering / Flaming River 18:1 rack
Manual brakes / 4 wheel disc by Ford, gutted distribution block
Audiovox hidden cruise control
Vintage Air heater

Congrat's Tom on being December's Car of the month!

 

[STL Mark]

We'll get it right. But, just great looking no matter what.

 

[Kerry & Kathy]

Well deserved recognition...

 

[Tim M]

Ooops. Just got excited about doing this I guess. I will update it when Orlando get's me his information. Did this on purpose so others would see how this is done.

 

[MPTech]

Tom, undeniably a beautiful car and great description. (I hope the others are this informative as well!)

I believe you once told me that your car was built to resemble a specific car / model.
Car you tell me which one and do you have any links to it? I can't find much information on the original cars, might have to break down and buy a book!
I'd like to plan mine to resemble the original from an appearance perspective and I'm trying to get some ideas on dash layouts as well (keep it simple, I've seen some with too many new technology features and switches on the dash and it kinda kills it for me).

Just curious, do you know the HP with the Supercharger?

Car looks FANTASTIC, great job!

 

[TOM KEISER]

Mark,
I don't remember the CSX number on the car that I used as a model. I printed a bunch of pictures of it that I found on the Internet back around 1996 and have them in a folder at home. That was well before I figured out how to save favorites or links . There were so many variations over the short period of time that Cobra's were produced that you just have to go with what looks best to you. Some had Smiths gauges, some had Stewart Warner's. Some had rectangular tail lights, some had round. Some had the classic Halibrand wheel and others got the sunburst wheels when they ran out of the others etc. Actual Horsepower can only be determined by the dyno and even various dyno manufacturers readings vary, that's why I can't and don't quote HP numbers for my car, I don't know what it makes. I do know that just about everyone has more HP than they need and that I can scare myself if I want to, that's really all I need to know
I did my dash in AutoCad and can send you (or anyone who wants it) the file to play with layouts if you have the software to open it.

 

[TBULL]

First to Mark, so you don't like the technology on my dash huh? But you make a living off of technology. just kidding mark. That's one thing about these cars. Everyone's taste is a little different and generally we love all the variations. I'll leave the SC questions for Tom, but it can be a lot. But as in anything, there are variables! Darn the math, full speed ahead.

Tom, I don't know your car's HP, but I know the smiles it makes. I see it on your face every time you start it. I agree with you that some of these car probably have too much HP, but how much is "really" enough. I love your car and all the little details you've done to it. If i was a little smaller I'd like to have those padded seats you have. Great rwrite up from you and Tim. It truely is a great car. I'll try and have as much information on mine now that I have a road map.