John Pettersen's 15,000 Mile Mk3 Roadster

John Returns from Road Trip to Florida in Mk3

Factory Five’s Rick Masters and customer John Pettersen catch up after John’s road trip.

Factory Five customer John Pettersen has just returned to Massachusetts from a trip to Florida that saw him reach the 15,000 mile mark on his Mk3 Roadster. His car is sporting a 432 engine that he built himself. We profiled John in July 2010 after he got a Roadster tattoo and came by the factory to show it to us.

The tech’s perked up as the listened to John’s engine while he was pulling in.

Factory Five President Dave Smith, John Pettersen, and FFR Tech Rick Masters

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