This past weekend marked something special. The very first Factory Five Mk5 Build School launched at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, and it was an incredible success from start to finish.
Led by expert instructors Jim and Scott, students spent three days getting hands-on experience with the all-new Factory Five Mk5 Roadster. They installed the redesigned one-piece steel firewall, adjusted footbox panels, worked with the updated chassis, and explored every refined feature of our latest design.
The Factory Five team was there too. Madison, Nate, and Dave from Marketing and IT, along with Owen from Engineering, flew in to support the class, capture the experience, and lend a hand wherever needed.
The Mk5 offers a lot of improvements. Better ergonomics. Simplified assembly. Thoughtful refinements throughout. Students jumped into it all with enthusiasm and walked away with new skills, growing confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the build.
Here’s how the weekend came together
On Friday, students got started by removing the body and aluminum panels. They moved right into installing the front and rear suspension and wrapped up the day with an early alignment.
Saturday focused on engine prep. Jim and Scott led a detailed recap, answered questions, and helped the class gear up for the next phase.
By Sunday, the build was in full swing. The body was mounted, key parts like the quick jacks, roll bar, and windshield were installed, and the class capped off the day with the Mk5’s first drive. It was a moment of well-earned celebration.
Family Builds That Hit Home
Four father-son teams joined us this weekend, and their stories brought a whole new level of meaning to the experience.
Corbin and Tom S. traveled from Oklahoma to build a full XTF kit together. Corbin is thinking about launching a YouTube channel to document their journey and is excited to revamp his 2018 Ford with his dad by his side.
Jan and his son Chris are building their Mk5 Roadster together. Their kit is scheduled to arrive this week, and they came ready to hit the ground running.
Chris and Andrew flew in from Delaware to see if a project like this was a good fit. By the end of the first day, they had their answer. They placed an order for a BluPrint engine and are planning a visit to Factory Five soon to finalize their Mk5 purchase.
Brandon and Jared S. came in from Tampa. Their dad was diagnosed with ALS two months ago, and this build is something he has wanted to do for nearly a decade. The timing felt right, and their Mk5 was delivered just yesterday. Brandon even developed a custom app to document the build, complete with photos, inventory tracking, and progress analytics.
Long Journeys and Big Dedication
Ricardo made the trip all the way from Bogotá, Colombia. After the weekend wrapped, he followed the Factory Five team back to New England to submit his Mk5 order in person.
Bill B., a wiring expert from New Hampshire, drove 15 hours to be part of the class. He is set to receive his Mk5 Roadster in just a few weeks and wanted to get a head start on learning the build process.
At the end of the weekend, every student received a surprise Factory Five Merch Box to commemorate the experience and celebrate the first drive.
This first Mk5 Build School was more than a workshop. It was a reminder of why we build in the first place. The connection. The challenge. The joy of learning something new. And the pride that comes from creating something with your own hands.
Interested in building your own Mk5 Roadster? Visit factoryfive.com/build-school to join the next class.