Still more Homebuilt Heroes

Hot Rod magazine contest entries have flooded our mailbox

The deadline for Hot Rod Magazine’s Homebuilt Heroes contest ended on August 1, but we are still receiving entries submitted to the magazine (hopefully they arrived there on time).  Like our own children, we love the FFROG community for their unique approaches to things, their enthusiasm, passion and seemingly undying support of Factory Five.

Some of the best entries we’ve received include (in no particular order):

Mike DeGuire – FFR 4020K

Excerpted from Mike’s entry:

I came across Factory Five Racing’s web site and saw their MK II Roadster. It was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen. Knowing it was a “Kit Car” I entered the site fully prepared to see this beautiful car sitting on a VW or Fiero frame, a host of plywood panels and an air cooled engine. To my surprise, there wasn’t any of that. In fact, everything I saw shattered every impression I had about kit cars. There was a beefy 4” round tubular frame, a myriad of sheet metal panels like what is used in race cars, a rigid fiberglass body and a price I could afford. But, there was no way I was going to own a “Kit Car”.

I have since built an FFR MK II Roadster and many have called it the best they’ve ever seen. It has won numerous awards including “Best Engine”, “Best Interior”, “Best Paint” and “Best of Show”.   Is it the best? Absolutely not but it is an excellent example of what today’s Kit Car is.

Bobby Richardson – FFR 1005295RD

Excerpts from Bobby’s entry:

This past year I completed my version of what has been my dream car since 1975.

I built a garage to house the project first in 2000.  In 2002 I purchased a 1987 Mustang that was to be the donor car.  I drove it and upgraded it for four years while saving for the Roadster purchase along the way.

I performed the entire build in my shop with my grandfather’s tools.  The build of the Factory Five was a joy!

I riveted, welded a little, built suspension assemblies, worked with coil-overs for the first time, assembled and adjusted an FFR 3-link rear suspension, ran brake and fuel lines, installed mechanical gauges, performed body work, painted with House of Kolors paints, used a fresh air paint suit, and finally installed the body on the go-kart chassis.

I try and drive it everyday.  It gathers smiles, honks, and thumbs up daily. 

We have taken trips to the Blue Ridge parkway, driven the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, NC, and to Myrtle Beach, SC.

The car drives like the dream!  I have it on the road for about $25,000 and it makes me feel like a million dollars.

My website has a complete day by day listing of my build.

Ben Manderachi – FFR 5437K

Some of Ben’s submission to Hot Rod included:

Late in 2004, I pulled the trigger and ordered the kit from Factory Five Racing.  I had no idea what I was getting into on both the negative and positive side.

My sons were always on hand to lend some encouragement, both moral and physical.  Once their friends got wind of the project, they too were frequent visitors.

On weekends, the young people would come early and stay late.  Of course I had to supply breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as refreshments in between.

As it turned out I was giving them more than just meals.  I was giving them something to do, something constructive, something that they could brag about to their friends – and maybe even an adult that they could look up to.

It turned out to be an unexpected boding experience with my sons and their friends as well.

The car now looks like a work of art and I continually get compliments on the paint, as well as the build.  Worship One Customs are truly magic men when it comes to painting Factory Five’s.

As time passed, the car came together in about two years.  The Factory Five has exceeded my dreams and expectations!

The looks I get at the gas station, at a toll booth or just cruising down main Street are unbelievable.  Harley guys have wanted to trade me for their bikes (including the girl on the back).

Jim Kelly – FFR 3235K

Jim won our “overachiever award” for submitting a 3-ring folder filled with laminated pages of text and photos, as well as an additional CD containing several hundred more photos.  Some excerpts from his entry include:

After researching several companies, a Factory Five Roadster kit was delivered in late 2003.  My father and I built the car in his single car garage and continue to do upgrades to this day.

Parts of the Factory Five, like the ceramic coated exhaust system and chrome rollbar are great, but modifying a part or finding from another car to work well is even more satisfying.

Two good examples are the electric fan (1995 Lincoln Mark VIII) and the 302 timing cover (1984 Mercury Cougar).

A list of (some of the other) parts used from different makes and models:

When you are building something like this in your garage and driveway, it draws attention and people stop to ask questions.  Regardless of how oily, dirty or up to our necks in work, we always try to stop and promote the car hobby.

Tim Mundy – FFR 3298

From Tim’s entry:

I have always been a hot rodder.  It started when I was a kid modifying anything on wheels (motorcycles, bicycles, go-carts, skate boards, etc).

I chose a factory Five MkII Roadster – it is a wonderfully designed kit.  It was not to be an “all out monster”, but very detailed, classy and beautiful.

I did virtually all of the work myself, at home in my two-car garage (over a 24 month period).  My dad, kids, friends and my wife chipped in at times to help with various tasks.

I enjoyed building the car so much that I hated it all coming to an end.  I was actually worried that I would not like driving the car as much as I did building it.  Well, that worry quickly vanished.

I look back on the whole process and ma very proud of what I have done. 

Many people have recognized the accomplishment, and the car has won many trophies (“1^st Place” and some “Best in Show”).

Bob McLaughlin – FFR 3981K

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