Doug S. Graduates 30th Anniversary Mk5 #01!
2025 was a milestone year for Factory Five as we celebrated our 30th Anniversary (1995-2025)! To mark the occasion, we put together special edition kits for our Mk5 Roadster and Type 65 Coupe. We are excited to share the news that Doug S. from Southlake, TX has graduated his 30th Anniversary Mk5 build which was also #1 of 30! Below is Doug’s story about his Mk5 build, and how much it means to his family.
“I am writing to share the completion of our Factory Five build and to thank you and the entire Factory Five team for creating something far more meaningful than a kit car.”
“Our car is a 30th Anniversary Edition Roadster, built to celebrate 30 years of Factory Five Racing. That alone makes it special. But for our family, it is even more meaningful because it is serial number 1 of 30 in the anniversary series. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to build such a unique car and to be part of this milestone in Factory Five’s history.”
“As proud as we are of the finished car, the build itself is what will stay with us forever. This project became a shared experience for our family. It gave us countless hours together in the garage, working through challenges, celebrating progress, learning from mistakes, and enjoying the process one step at a time. It brought us closer together in a way that few things can.”
“For me, this car represents much more than horsepower, craftsmanship, or the satisfaction of completing a dream project. It represents time with my family. It represents the conversations, laughter, problem-solving, late nights, and memories we created along the way. Every part of the car carries a story, and every mile we drive will remind us of the time we spent building it together.”
“My hope is that 30 years from now, my kids will still be driving this car and that when they do, they will remember not just the car, but the experience of building it as a family. I hope they remember the fun we had, the pride we felt, and the time we shared bringing it to life.”
“We are also including photos of the completed car because we are proud to share how it came together. While the foundation of the build is Factory Five, this project also reflects the broader community you have built around these cars.”
“I would especially like to recognize Travis Meade for his tremendous support from purchase all the way through completion. We could not have completed this project without his knowledge, support, and responsiveness. Travis is a tremendous ambassador for Factory Five and for what you have built.”
“We would also like to thank Blueprint Engines. We incorporated their SBF 302 and Tremec TKO package, and it is perfectly matched for this Roadster. It delivers exactly the character, performance, and feel we hoped for when we imagined the finished car.”
“Grubbs Motorsports in Garland, Texas, also deserves tremendous credit for the amazing fit and finish on the body. You gave them a great platform with the MK5, and they took it to a whole new level. We asked them for a “SEMA” finish, and they more than delivered.”
“We hope you like what we have done with your kit. More than that, we hope you are as proud as we are of the finished product and of what it represents as number 1 of 30 in the MK5 30th Anniversary Edition series.”
“Thank you for building a company that makes experiences like this possible. Factory Five did not just give us a car to build. You gave our family a project, a memory, and a legacy that we will carry for the rest of our lives.”
Mk5 Roadster – 30th Anniversary Edition – #1 of 30 Build Specs:
Blueprint Ford Small Block 302
Holley Sniper 2 – full ecosystem
Tremec TKX – 5 speed
IRS
A/C (ready for the hard top)
Chassis color: Bronze
Body color: 3-stage Ford Burgundy Velvet
Interior color: Buckskin
Congratulations Doug on graduating your Mk5 Roadster, Doug! We hope you enjoy driving it and going to car shows this summer with the family.
