2012 SEMA Preparation Under Way, Big Surprises Planned

Posted on October 3, 2012 by in What's New

The crew is working feverishly on last minute details as we prepare to head out to the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. The show is held this year from October 30th to November 2nd. This year we have some big surprises.

We are unveiling the Factory Five-Summit Racing Mk4 project car. This car is built with a vast array of Summit Racing parts and is slated for magazine articles and some serious publicity. After SEMA, the car will make the shows and events round with the crew from Summit Racing.

Project 818 takes center stage at SEMA 2012 as we will be bringing a street car prototype, a race car prototype (that will debut in KONI Shocks booth next to the Factory Five booth), and we will also be showing a functional rolling chassis so that people can see the chassis engineering and Subaru parts.

Click here to view a 5-minute, Hewlett Packard, SolidWorks video on the creation of the 818.

This year’s SEMA Show is notable for the number of Factory Five customers who will be helping in the booth and customer cars that will be headlining the show. Chuck Armstrong’s show winning ’33 that was featured at the 2012 Huntington Beach Cruise-In (Best in Show winner) will be at SEMA along with Team PDG’s race-winning GTM endurance racer.

We have even some more surprises like the autocross winning Ridetech-Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod which will be at the show and racing at the Optima Batteries Challenge Race on Saturday after the SEMA Show.

We will post full details of the show on our website here and on the Factory Five Forum as well as our Facebook page. Stay tuned!

Dave Smith

Latest Factory Five News

Five Deals from the Factory Five Guys!

May 12, 2026

2026 is off to a great start, and the team wants to keep the momentum going! They have put together a sale for all of our kits to help you build your car your way this year. Score a Free IRS Upgrade OR Save $2,026 Off Options on Mk5 Roadsters, Mk4 Roadsters, Type 65 Coupe, and ’33 Hot Rod To ensure your finest ride is possible, we are offering FREE IRS Upgrades (up to $3,199 in value). Our Independent Rear Suspension is the best suspension configuration Factory Five has to offer. This upgrade package includes: OR you can save $2,026… Read More »

Read More

Bill B. Shares an Update on His Mk5 Build

April 20, 2026

Every build has a story—but some take a lifetime to begin. After decades as a technician, engineer, and business owner—building companies, leading teams, and designing critical communications systems across New England—I decided at 50 to return to where it all started: a passion for cars. That decision became Blue Hills Customs. This MK5 Roadster is more than a project—it’s the first expression of a vision to create ultra-premium, one-off roadsters that blend classic design with modern performance and reliability. Factory Five Racing provided the perfect canvas. The MK5 isn’t just a kit—it’s a foundation that allows builders to bring something truly… Read More »

Read More

Paul H. and his Mk4 Earn 2nd Place at Spokane Speed!

April 14, 2026

Customer Paul H. from Spokane, WA took home 2nd Place in the Handbuilt Sports Car Class at this year’s Spokane Speed and Custom Car Show! Paul purchased his Mk4 Roadster (chassis #9847) in June 2020, and built the car with his son after attending the Factory Five Build School at Mott Community College. They built the Mk4 with a 5.0 Coyote from a 2013 F150, Trememc 2650, IRS, 17″ Halibrand wheels, vinyl dash with glovebox, leather seats, and vintage gauges. They painted the car Wimbledon White and Guardsman Blue stripes. This past winter, Paul add front and rear sways bars… Read More »

Read More
Top