Steve P.’s Type 65 Coupe
Customer Steve P. burned through some serious gasoline at Willow Springs Raceway! Steve says, “Factory Five was well-represented, and that’s my car, #319 Coupe, out on the track.” Big thanks to @caliphotovideo for capturing these awesome shots.
The Build
Steve first bought the car in late 2012, partially assembled. “At first, I tried to finish it as it was, but soon realized it would be better to take it all apart and rebuild it my way. That decision set the tone for the entire project.”
After completely disassembling the car, Steve began rebuilding it from the ground up. He chose a small-block Ford 347 engine, topped with AFR heads to provide plenty of power. To complement the engine, he upgraded the T5 transmission and converted it to a “mid-shift” configuration to position the shifter more like the original design.
Once he got the car running, Steve sent it off for a professional paint job. While it was there, he incorporated a few additional upgrades. When the car returned, it looked stunning and was ready for the final steps.
The interior was designed with usability in mind. Steve added sound deadening and carpeting for a quieter ride and even included air conditioning to make hot California summer drives bearable.
By 2016, the car was complete, and Steve got it registered to drive legally on the road. The effort was worth it when it received the coveted SB100 smog-exempt label.
That’s how #319 Coupe became a licensed street car, ready to be driven and enjoyed!
Awards & Racing
In 2017, the car earned 2nd place in the Type 65 Coupe class at the Factory Five Huntington Beach car show—a proud moment for Steve.
More recently Steve says, “I participated in the Fall Classic, hosted by the Cobra Owners Club of America. This high-speed driving event isn’t a race but a chance to push the car and enjoy it with a fantastic group of like-minded enthusiasts. In the pits near me were three other Factory Five cars, including one trailered all the way from Georgia.”
