FFROG City USA

Surf City is swarmed with Factory Fives

The rumble of over 125 Factory Fives echoed through the streets of this quaint ocean-side community as FFROGs came pouring in from all over the West Coast, making the third annual California Cruise-in one of the largest Factory Five Owner’s Group gatherings of all time.

They traveled from hundreds of miles away, eager to participate in the first ever, all-day California Cruise-In, and like automotive Pied Pipers, the crowds followed.  The huge FFROG corral drew hundreds of spectators, many of whom had also traveled from as far away as Europe to see some of the most beautiful hand-built cars on the planet.

Among the cars were multiple show winners, race winners, legends and sleepers.  There were daily drivers and cars just recently completed.

Just a few of the cars on display included:

-          Dave Borden’s award-winning GTM

-          Sergio’s Roadster with its incredible disappearing gauges

-          Gary Cheney’s unparalleled GTM

-          Kermit, which is undoubtedly the most autographed Cobra-replica in history

-          Homebuilt Hero Dave Hall and his Mk2

-          Kouros’, famous number 22 Mk3 roadster

-          The “riveting” Mk2 built by Jeff Miller

-          One of the oldest Factory Five’s still on the road, John Suarez’

-          Mike Pace’s show winning Coupe

-          A detailed Mk3 chassis built by David Hodgkins

-          Lawrence Chapman’s stunning GTM

Yet so many more cars filled the Pier Plaza and adjoining parking lots, each fundamentally unique and custom, and worthy of admiration and honor.

Included with the throngs of customer cars, was a fleet of cars which Factory Five brought out from the East Coast. 

Leading the pack, the world’s fastest Cobra, old #198 which reached a documented 198 mph with Dick Smith at the helm at Daytona Speedway.

Also along for some spirited driving on PCH and attendance at the Cruise-In were the Bondurant Tribute Coupe and Nate Johnson’s Orange Crush Mk2.

Obviously, with this many award-winning cars in attendance, choosing the best of the litany of phenomenal customer-built cars is not a job for the timid. 

A team of customer judges, led by previous car show winners and Owner’s Group leaders Don Depontee and Russ Thompson, accepted the challenge with smiles on their faces and somehow were able to narrow the field down to eleven of the very best Factory Fives we’ve ever seen.

The winning FFROGs included:

Other awards are the hard-earned Long distance and High Mileage Awards.  The former is presented to the customer who actually drives his Factory Five the farthest  to the event, while the latter goes to the person with the most miles on their odometer.

John Kerekes (Tucson, AZ) added his second Long Distance Championship Award by driving his Roadster more than 500 miles to attend the Califoprnia Cruise-In.  While, Steve Moriary beat out a few high mileage Factory Fives with over 59,000 miles on Kermit’s odometer.

Besides another great Owner’s Group event, the customers came to take part in the 2nd annual Moment of Thunder tribute to Dick Smith, and they were heard load and clear.

Dick’s widow, Heather Smith, started the thunderous roar in a Factory Five Coupe similar to her own, and as over a hundred Factory Five’s chimed in, the deafening ovation was surely heard by Dick up in heaven.

The list of activities at the event seemed to be endless, and no one went away unhappy.  Along with an awesome Goodie Bag courtesy of the event sponsors, thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes were raffled off to customers who brought their cars to the event.

All the more reason for you to make plans now to join us for California Cruise-In #4, at the Huntington Beach Pier on April 25^th, 2009. 

We promise that it too will be one of the most memorable shows you’ll ever attend.

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