There is much joy in owning the car that you truly want but there is still a different kind of excitement and fulfillment when you build your own car. You can take on projects like this by looking for a car that you’d want to repair, restore or rebuild. As an alternative, you can also look into getting yourself a kit car.
If you have the budget, the space, and the time to build the car of your dreams then there is no one stopping you from doing it. There are plenty of different kit cars available in the market today. So which among them should you buy?
If you are into race cars, one of the kit cars that could capture your eyes and heart is the Factory Five Type 65. So what is it? Is it worth buying and building?
What Is The Factory Five Type 65 Kit Car?
The Factory Five Type 65 is a kit car that is a homage to the Shelby Daytona. It was designed by Mark Smith who also drew inspiration from the original Cooper Monaco King Cobra. The Type 65 is not an exact replica of the Shelby Daytona but it does take on its design cues.
The Frame And Chassis
The mainframe of the Factory Five Type 65 Coupe is known to be strong and light. When shipped, the frame would be part of the assembled chassis kit. It is completely welded and could be shipped as bare steel or with an optional powder coating. The powder coating helps prevent it from rusting.
The body of the car is made out of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). It comes in two pieces, the main body, and the nose. The main body includes the doors, decklid, and rear quarter panels. The nose includes the fenders, headlights, and grille.
The Engine
There are several engine options for the Factory Five’s Type 65 kit car. You can choose from a small block Chevy V8, a big block Chevy V8, or even an LS1 V8.
The small block Chevy V8 that you can use for this kit car is a 305 cubic inch engine. It produces around 300 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.
The big block Chevy V8 that you can use is a 396 cubic inch engine. This particular engine can produce around 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
If you want to use an LS1 V8 engine, the one that you can use is a 5.7-liter engine. This engine can produce around 500 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.
The Suspension & Brakes
The suspension of the Factory Five Type 65 Coupe is a great mix of handling and comfort. It uses double-wishbone suspension in the front and rear.
The front suspension uses coil springs, shocks, and a sway bar. The shocks are adjustable so you can dial in the handling to your own preference.
The rear suspension also uses coil springs and shocks. However, it does not have a sway bar. This is because the designers felt that it was not necessary with the weight of the engine up front.
The brakes on the Type 65 Coupe are also impressive. They use Wilwood 4-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors in the front and 12-inch rotors in the rear.
How Does It Perform?
The Factory Five Type 65 is a great car to drive. It is nimble and agile on the road. The steering is nicely weighted and gives you a good feel of the road. The brakes are also impressive, giving you the confidence to push the car harder.
The engine options that are available also allow you to choose how much power you want from your car. If you are just starting out, the small block Chevy V8 would be a great option. As you get more comfortable with the car, you can move up to the big block Chevy V8 or even the LS1 V8.
The suspension is also well-tuned, providing a good balance between comfort and handling. The adjustable shocks also allow you to dial in the car’s handling to your own preference.
Overall, the Factory Five Type 65 is a great kit car to consider if you are looking for a race-inspired car. It has the looks, the handling, and the power to make it a great choice for both novice and experienced builders alike.
Why Choose The Factory Five’s Type 65 Kit Car?
One of the main reasons why people would want to buy Factory Five’s Type 65 kit car is because it is a great choice for anyone who wants a fast, fun car that can be driven on the street or the track.
Another reason is that this kit car provides you with an opportunity to build the car of your dreams. You can choose your own engine and even add your own personal touches to it.
If you are looking for a kit car that you can use for racing, the Factory Five’s Type 65 is definitely worth considering. It has the right mix of speed, power, and handling that you need in a race car. Plus, it is also street legal so you can enjoy driving it even when you’re not on the track.