V8droptop

Saw this today. Never gets tiring looking at their projects. Would be a fun place to work, albeit a fantasy. I enjoy my work but it doesn't fulfill like this would.

Flyin' Miata : Projects: Whiskers the Catfish
Flyin' Miata : Projects: Whiskers the Catfish
Flyin' Miata : Projects: Itty Bitty V8 Miata

Which, of course, leads me to the car I want to really build one day:

https://www.factoryfive.com/kits/gtm-supercar/

Gator Bait

When we picked up my car we got the tour of all the current projects. My wife ok'd a Catfish build on the spot. I didn't like it in the pictures but in person it is gorgeous. I just can't justify a car with no A/C or ability to escape the elements.

charchri4

Wow that is a very sexy body on that one!

V8droptop

Its really, really good looking to me, anyway. Love the paint choice. I hear you though, gator. There's limits to unpracticality when it comes to that much money.

I'd like to mention that I really, really want a GTM now. I always go through a phase each year where I just need to have one. Just never a good time to take up a build like that for me :-/

whittata

I've been building FFR cars for about 15 years now. Just finishing up a 33 Hot Rod.

Discovered the Catfish and my kit will be delivered in the next 30 days or so. When I bought the donor for the Catfish, I had never driven a Miata before. A Miata V8 is on the schedule after the Catfish. It's really a fun car and I like driving it.

For those interested, you can see my Cobra and 33 build on FFCars.com under Tim Whittaker build page.

Thanks,

Tim Whittaker
Kootenai Valley Customs

charchri4

Since you can't search on FFC with out being a member I'll save you the trouble and put a link into the above mentioned thread. Tim Whittaker 33 Hot Rod Build Page - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

whittata

Thanks Jim.

Sunshine Guy

Beautiful workmanship, Tim! When you get around to that V8 Miata build we would sure like to have you as a regular in this virtual community. There is a world of good info here; it would be fascinating to see what you might create.

Once in a while I work in Salt Lake City. Maybe someday I can drop by to shake your hand (and hope some of that talent rubs off on me)!

whittata

Thanks for the compliments !!!! I'm new to the "Mazda Scene" and after buying the donor for the Catfish project, driving it for 500 miles and looking at various forums, I wish I had discovered it awhile ago.

I look forward to the Catfish project and after that, I will do a V8 Miata. I will be here often studying what you guys do to these wonderful cars !!!

Thanks again,

Tim Whittaker
Kootenai Valley Customs

charchri4

My thoughts exactly! Any guy that builds a Lotus 7 just to have something to drive while he builds a Cobra I want to meet!

whittata

Would love to meet any of you guys and talk Miatas.

Tim Whittaker
Kootenai Valley Customs

Gator Bait

No V8 for the Catfish?

whittata

Not at this point. I spoke to them about it and they are just now building the first one. I wanted it to be all sorted out before I spent that much time and money with an unknown end result. I'm really impressed with the whole operation they have there, and I'm sure it would all work out fine but felt they wanted to do the first one themselves and see where it all went. They have assembled a pretty amazing team at Bauer Ltd.

I have a FFR Cobra with nitrous that is 600HP. If I want to scare myself, I can always get in it or the 33.

I built a Brunton Stalker with a 3.8 V6 in it a few years ago and was looking at the Catfish as more of a project like that. As light as possible with the most reliable HP I can with the Mazda. Was concerned about the weight distribution with the LS Catfhish. Plus the donor I bought already has all I need to build the Catfish and it'll be cheaper that way. The upgrade to the LS would be pretty simple once the car has been completed and Cord Bauer gets the LS model completed and tested.

Sunshine Guy

Future license plate: CC Rider (Catfish Conversion)!

whittata

Cool !!!! I like that !!!!