Ask Dave Anything Ep. 1

Factory Five President Dave Smith answers customer questions submitted on The Factory Five Forum, social media, and email. Send us your questions for an upcoming episode to [e-mail].
Questions:
00:00 - Ask Dave Anything
00:27 - Update on the F9
02:27 - Update on the 818
04:35 - What is the air speed of a laden swallow?
04:49 - Donor Cars and the Build School
06:37 - Most important thing when starting a company
08:01 - When can we expect a Factory Five GT40 kit?
10:03 - How is your daughter doing?
10:34 - What are you most grateful for?

[@Walton_Racing]

Dave, Mad Dog, and Nicole, thank you for all your hard work on this! We appreciate your focus on communication and engagement with the community! Looking forward to Episode 2!

[@T_Fantico]

F9 model is absolutely beautiful from that angle.

[@madmaxx426]

The things I heard were "There is demand for the F9 (maybe we should get moving on that...) and "Maybe we'll build a GT40". If either of these come to pass, I'm happy.

[@TeddyRumble]

GT40 as I understand it is a trademarked name. Even Ford couldn't name their revival car a GT40, just simply a Ford GT. (A totally awesome car, BTW, if you do something like that, you'll have a winning product.)

[@nickmudd]

I'm saving for a Type65! Amazing kit car! I think it's great that you're focused on safety when thinking up a kit car. The GT40 looks amazing as it was but it was also rather dangerous lol

[@muskokamike127]

Ask them anything, they'll answer promptly and provide you all the support you need.

[@rjabba88]

I was saving for an 818, but I want a Daytona now.

[@muskokamike127]

I was really interested in building a cobra years ago. You guys were the best at answering all my questions and even advising on ppl to talk to about importing your "kit" into Canada. Unfortunately I was unable to do it but your people were the BEST! Even inviting me down for a tour and some build tips.

[@tristanhipps604]

I think a GT40 with tastefully updates would be a home run. That car will always capture peoples imagination.

[@rtz549]

If you like the cobra kit and like the aspects of building it and you don't have one. Go to the build school. You get to build one in a weekend. Hands on; touch it, see it. Worth it. I used to really want one but couldn't afford it. Went to the build school. Satisfied me.

[@Teedeck]

Just don't close shop...there are many of us waiting in the wings to start building.

[@jrmotorsports5532]

Love the sit down and info. Thanks! Look forward to things to come.

[@CarlosWaylos]

I loved your analysis of the Gt40, so true. Who wants a fuel tank right next to their leg, body. New GT might be the better answer, get Jim on that.

[@mchristr]

It took Lexus a bunch of years to finally put the LFA on the market. But as it was very publicly being developed, market desire kept growing. I'm suggesting that you sort out the F9R in public to see how much interest there might be. People always desire what they can't have.

[@MuffinKingStudios]

Hey Factory Five gang! I am super excited about this series because I've always wanted to start a company similar to Dave's. Learning about the things it took to make a successful company in this industry and hearing the technical perspective is super interesting to me. Are there currently any open slots for engineering interns? I would love to work for y'all and apply the engineering principles I'm learning to a real vehicle. Please let me know!

[@Cubanb407]

Like this if you are here for F9 update

[@paulct91]

That's that hypercar, right? I was wondering what ever happened, I guess they figured they could sell more pickup trucks (because those are generally more practical... for the wife approval factor?)

[@TeddyRumble]

Thanks for making this your life's work. I watch every build video I can. Way beyond my skill level (the video on doing the body work scared the crap out of me. Taking a reciprocating saw to the wheel flares and the door? I'd have a heart attack.) Your car is beautiful.

[@jennieleighloomis7870]

You can install the Mach-E crate motor in the GTM. I just need the Chassis to figure out where to put the batteries.

[@TeddyRumble]

Yeah...no.

[@AndyE30]

Will we see an update or facelift for the GTM? When I was younger I was excited at the prospect of building one but now I'm worried it was axed. Thanks!

[@paulct91]

Is this about that hypercar that would have come before their pickup truck?

[@factoryfive]

The GTM is the supercar that used a C5 Corvette donor car. The F9 is the front engine hypercar project that we were working on before we started on the XTF extreme truck project.

[@Gamefreak8112]

For a future project, I can't help but wonder if you would do a custom Roadster frame to fit some foreign parts. I am hesitant to just put my full idea out there because I want to be the first I know of and avoid the flaming for crimes against the old school car gods. The endgame of it is to compete with these newer cars on their own terms while still sounding and looking like the best roadster ever made. I'm not going for some overpowered monster but I'm trying to increase traction and stability. Feel free to not answer because it'd open you up to a bunch of requests.

[@gkbkansas]

Dave, I've committed myself to ordering a MKIV kit in the next year or so and building my dream ride. What is your favorite engine in the MKIV to drive personally ? I prefer the look of the Blueprint 347 or 427 with fuel injection. Part of me says the 347 will be plenty but part of me wants that 427 badge on the side. I'm sure the Coyote is superior cost wise and power power dollar spent but I like the old school engine look and sound.

[@paulct91]

What ever happened to that Factory Five Supercar/Hypercar (that project that existed before the kit truck)?

[@factoryfive]

That is the F9 Hypercar which is answered in the this Ask Dave Anything. Starts at 30 seconds in - Update on the F9.

[@tristanhipps604]

At this point the the F9 would need updates. You can’t shelf something for years and not have it get dated. I’d love help you guys as a designer come up with something new. I think something like the GTM refresh would be better than a front engine GT car. In fact i think something closer to the BAC mono as a track car option with something that people could get into as a better option then aging traditional production cars that need massive upgrades.

[@SVTL4799]

When will you make a Formula Ford kit? 😁

[@BigDanSubaru03]

I have seen quite a few posts in 818 groups asking around for hard top components. There are 818S owners looking to convert to the hard top coupe. You mentioned that you have our backs on replacement parts. I really hope that is true. As I continue building my 818C, I get very worried that if I bring it out to race (or even just out for ice cream), something will happen to it and I won't be able to get replacement body panels/glass etc.

[@factoryfive]

We have the molds and for the most part, we can get you your parts! Don’t be afraid to go get ice cream in your 818. Email [e-mail] and we will happily send you updates on our current 818 parts stock.

[@curtskeete]

Pease make a kit car for the Fd rx7

[@paulmarion3290]

Will you make a two door ford pickup ?

[@paulct91]

Is that not what they already sell? That pickup kit car thing?

[@paulmarion3290]

@@paulct91 I’ve seen a 1935 that’s a two door and a new style that’s a four door .id like two see a new style that’s a two door .

[@CryptoNinja626]

I’m sold on a XTF and a F9 for the future, do you take crypto for payment?

[@factoryfive]

Sorry, we do not accept Crypto as payment. We accept credit cards, checks, bank checks, wire transfers, and cash, but not crypto.

[@CryptoNinja626]

@@factoryfive you should, it’s the future of payments, just saying!

[@marklengal9990]

I don’t understand why you think the F9 is too long. The long nose makes the car just the way it is.

[@3089280288]

Just sell the F9 off so we can see it