You may recall John P.’s most recent Factory Five Mk4 Roadster build named after the F-111 bomber aircraft, ‘Aardvark’. John dedicated the build to Col. Gale, a retired Air Force pilot who couldn’t finish building his car due to health complications. Col. Gale’s brother Neil introduced him to John, who bought the kit to complete the project for a charity road trip.

The car is a Mk4 complete kit with a souped-up crate engine, and upgrades like electric power steering. John, with help from Gale, loosely assembled the kit in Michigan before transporting the car to North Carolina. John’s grandson Jack documented the process, and mechanic Brendan Dougherty assisted.

On September 5, 2023, they installed the body, and John planned to finish and drive the car, named ‘Aardvark,’ before sending it for bodywork by Jeff Kleiner. Now, the car is ready and John is too!

John aims to embark on a 5,000-6,000 mile charity road trip beginning May 4th, 2024 with two of his cousins to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis and Colon Cancer. Jeff Kleiner’s paint work and the Cystic Fibrosis “65 Roses” graphics are bound to stand out on this trip! John has also secured a Whitby soft-top in full preparation for various weather conditions along the way. If you have a chance, check it out. John says he hopes to meet up with other Factory Five owners and builders along the way. The journey can be followed and supported at www.c3on66.org.