Customer Matt R.’s Mk4 Roadster

Matt R. “first dreamed of building a Cobra replica in high school auto-shop class in ’79.

In ’05 I was finally able to purchase a Mk3 and built it using as much of my ’95 Mustang GT donor as possible, along with 15″ Halibrands, 3 link rear suspension, and 3.55 rear gears.

Factory Five always has always had a family vibe, and a sense of community. This was especially important to me as I now had a family of my own.

I built the car with day trips in mind, ensuring my wife Mary would be comfortable driving it. It features power steering, power brakes, heat, a/c, defrost, wipers, and a full width roll bar.

Through the Ohio Cobra Club we were invited to autocross and caught the performance driving bug! We’ve met so many people through this car, some even famous. Many are like family now.

Mary and I have a blast competing against each other for the best lap times. Over the years I’ve upgraded the front suspension to Mk4 specs, added adjustable sway bars, double adjustable Koni’s, Hawk brakes, Torsen T2R diff, and 17″ FF Halibrand wheels with Toyo r888r tires. The car still surpasses my driving abilities, as more experienced drivers have turned faster lap times than I.

Mary and I have recently taken the car on vacation to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Copper Harbor areas, and Texas Cobra Club Spring Meet.

This car is truly a Swiss Army knife for us – it does anything we ask of it and never fails us. My adult kids say they want the car when we can’t drive anymore, so it will be staying in the family.

I am immensely grateful to Factory Five and the Factory Five community for making this dream come true. We’re having the time of our lives!”

 Alayna Baldwin Emerald River Photography

Latest Factory Five News

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Congratulations to customer Mark S. on graduating his Mk4 Roadster build! Mark came for a tour of Factory Five in March 2020 to meet Dave Smith and the team. After returning home to the United Kingdom, Mark ordered his Mk4, and it arrived at his garage in February 2021.  Marks good friend, neighbor, and fellow car enthusiast, Stuart H, helpedwith the build which featured a Gen 3 5.0L Coyote, Tremec TKO transmission, 8.8″ solid axle with 3-link rear suspension, 18″ Halibrand wheels, and of course, it had to be in right hand drive. Mark also had the chassis galvanised to…

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Factory Five is Closed Today, Monday January 26, 2026.

I made the call to scrub FFR operations for the day. The drive in wasn’t bad, and most roads are clear. Unfortunately our plow crew was late, and the day dawned with 3-4′ drifts in the back parking lot! We will be at work and at full strength tomorrow. Sorry for any difficulties this may cause. Dave SmithPresident

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