Customer Profile – Rick Neveaux

FFR 1005120 RD, Courtenay, BC, Canada

forum handle:   Rick Neveaux

email:   ricellen59@uniserve.com
 
Most guys who are 6’6” would shy away from smaller cars, but not Rick Neveaux.  Rick has dreamed of owning a roadster ever since he started assembling vintage models (the recommended first step for any future Factory Five owner) as a kid.
 

 

Since then, he’s honed his mechanical skills with a 20-year stint in the Canadian military, as well as some duty on offshore oil rigs. 

 

The Canadian military is not known for it’s specializations, so if something needs to be done you’re usually the one who has to do it.  Luckily for Rick, he was the go-to guy with a wrench, so he got first hand experience repairing everything from weed-wackers to Leopard Tanks (a German-designed battle tank).
 
His dream seemed out of reach, however, as he lived on Vancouver Island in western Canada and there are no Canadian manufacturers producing any kits of any substantial quality, engineering or design.

Rick’s wife jumped on board when she saw his ear-to-ear grin after shoe-horning himself into a car built by one of those manufacturers.  Although it was a tight, uncomfortable fit, she saw the impact that the car had on Rick, and immediately knew the importance of helping him to fulfill his dream.

 

In the process of researching the various replica companies, Rick locked his sights on Factory Five because of the quality of manufacture, ease of build and overall value.

 

The one hurdle he had left was coming up with the go-fast funds to buy his Factory Five.

 

In August 2005, his wife and mother-in-law pooled their resources and broke every piggy bank in the house.  Finally, last Fall, Rick’s dream car was heading home to him.
 

His 15 year old son, Mike, also in the big guy club at 6’5”, helped him to build the car in a quick three months time.

 

Now he is Vancouver’s biggest Factory Five supporter, and when he’s not burning up the asphalt, he’s busy educating the locals on the joys of Factory Five ownership.


Rick has become the local Factory Five answer man
 

Rick’s exclamation speaks for itself:

“What a joy to build, own and drive.

It fits like a glove, goes like stink, and sure is an attention getter.

I can't stop anywhere without people checking it out, and I’m still surprised how many people ask if it is an FFR.

I am so impressed and thoroughly enjoyed every part of the build.”
 

Rick kept his car simple, using a stock Mark 2 configuration, with no modifications to the cockpit.  He also enjoys the stock FFR vinyl seats, bolted right to the floor panels.

 

“Thank God,” Rick continues, “for the FFR forum and the knowledgeable people at Factory Five who answered all of my questions.  They gave me a lot of great ideas on how to personalize and build my car (the way that I wanted it).  It sure helped when I did my own wire diet.”

 

“At 6'6" with a 40"inseam, and size 12 feet the car is snug but quite enjoyable.

My 15 yr old son is 1" shorter and helped me build my ride, so we travel everywhere together.

I can slide my feet past the pedals on long cruises and am quite comfortable in the beast.

 

I put 4000 miles on it this summer and wouldn't change a thing!”
 
Congratulations go to Rick and Mike, from the entire Factory Five team.