Customer Profile: John W.’s 289 Roadster
John W. stopped by Factory Five in his 289 Roadster Friday afternoon. We couldn’t wait to share this beautiful car and the details with you all! John’s 289 FIA was picked to be on of the top two premier cars at the Mass Cruisers Car Club show at Patriot Place on July 11th.
John B. in charge of the Mass Cruisers Car Club show mentioned, “Except for the yearly Factory Forum event in August, when more than 30 Factory Five builds are displayed, a replica Cobra has never been selected for a Vintage Motorsports sponsored cruise award plaque.”
John says, “When I started this project, I had never built a car before, so I expected challenges along the way. To my surprise, it all came together faster and smoother than I could have imagined. In just shy of a year from receiving the kit, I had my dream 289 Roadster completed and on the road.
The vision for my Cobra was clear: I wanted to recreate what I would have ordered from in 1965, complete with an FIA option package – if such a thing had existed. This meant embracing the historic details, right down to painting the car in Guardsman Blue, the 1965 FIA team color, as requested by Henry Ford II himself.
In my research, I discovered that only five USRRC/FIA 289s had been built for racing, making them extremely rare. Of those, only two still exist today, and I wanted to honor that legacy. The cutback doors, reversed quick jacks, and even the dimples in the trunk lid (for FIA rule compliance with suitcase dimensions) are all on my build. I also included quirky but functional features like the splash guard, which prevented fuel from splashing onto drivers and kept gas from siphoning out during races.
The car’s performance is just as special. I chose a Ford Boss 302 engine, pushing 355 horsepower with 346 torque, paired with a Tremec T-5 transmission and a Moser rear end with 3.55 gears. It’s got a modern twist with a Holley Sniper EFI, but still retains its vintage soul. And for those chilly New England days, I even added heated seats and a heater for comfort.
A few unique features include the forward shifter location with a 5” handle, a cigarette lighter, and a floor-mounted high-beam switch on a dead pedal – small touches that make it feel just right. The finishing touches were expertly done by Michael Everson at Replica Parts for the bodywork and paint, and Mike Forte at Forte’s Parts Connection for the drivetrain.
The build wasn’t just about completing a car; it was about bringing a piece of racing history to life. Every detail reflects the spirit of what Shelby American was doing in the mid-60s, and I couldn’t be more proud of the result.
Check out the full video of Dave and John chatting about his car!
