Factory Five Roadster Project Review & First Driving Impressions

[@OakHollowGarage]

I also want to add... you did an amazing job with the car. I love everything you did.

[@randomwerks3763]

Hey thanks. It truly was something that has been floating around in my head for years and years. It’s an amazing feeling to see it come to fruition. Now that’s it’s done, I’m loving driving it! However, with that said, I’m missing the build- Thanks for the nice comment.

[@RLM1943]

Outstanding! I think it's perfect! Congratulations!

[@markshobe912]

Thank you so much for all of the work in making the videos. You convinced me that I too could build the car and placed my order last week! Happy motoring.

[@randomwerks3763]

That’s amazing! It truly was one of the most rewarding adventures I’ve done. Whenever it felt a little daunting, Id hyper-focus on a smaller part and work on that. Eventually it started to look like a car. I’m really going to miss building it.

[@rwhunt99]

I admire what you've done, and I envy you driving this in the future,along with the beautiful landscape you are doing it in. I wish you all the best. I think the word you were looking for is "Bittersweet" when you were talking about being done. I can empathize with you there.

[@randomwerks3763]

Bittersweet is the perfect word.

[@CEOsario]

Great build...I love the exhaust. Great idea... thanks for sharing...

[@randomwerks3763]

The exhaust (surprisingly) did exactly as I had hoped. I'm beyond happy with the exhaust note and the fact that it's not "too" loud.

[@phildavis8658]

I am another one who has followed you from day one. I love it that you made it your car and it suits your taste. My only regret is that you don’t live down in Texas next-door to me so I can learn some fabrication skills. I’m in the process of building a Cobra right now and I appreciate the fact that you have shared all that you have learned. Have fun, driving and keep the rubber side down.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks for the note. My only regret is that I didn't have any other cobra enthusiast locally to swing by and swap stories. Hopefully I'll get to some "meet-ups" at some point to talk shop. Enjoy your build!

[@mikerobertson3455]

Congratulations on an amazing, inspiring build! I really enjoyed following this.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks Mike!

[@shawnlindemood6678]

I'm been meaning to suggest spraying the inside of the exhaust tips matte black. Exhaust paint or I did "BBQ black" high temp paint. I've done that myself on my modified Harley exhaust to keep the mods subtle. When I looked at your tips, I thought something was wrong when the front one had no color to it. It made sense when you said it was a dummy. Looking good all around. I like what you've done.

[@randomwerks3763]

You read my mind! I just did that very thing and it looks much much better. Thanks for the comment!

[@OakHollowGarage]

I'm a few months late here, but congrats on finishing the build. I'm so far behind a few of the other youtube guys with my build. I did plan a 2-3 year project to get mine done. I just did my first start last week and hope to do a 20 foot drive out and back in the garage in a few days.

[@wild_bluyonder843]

It has been a delightful journey with you during this build. I (we) have lived vicariously through this construction as we plan/assembled our own machines. I'm glad the finished product has lived up to all your expectations. I got a laugh out of your comment about receiving two left rear wheel spindles; I got two right rear wheel spindles in addition to receiving two IRS center sections. Any overly warm foot box issues? I imagine that having built the exhaust system you did goes a long way to keeping the heat off the feet Keep us up to speed on your adventures. Thanks.

[@randomwerks3763]

Ha! we had a matching set of spindles and didn't realize it. No foot box heat issues at all! Granted, the hottest day was 85 degrees, but still no issues with foot box heat and more importantly, no issues with engine overheating-- runs cool!

[@randomwerks3763]

Wild_blu, I've enjoyed our conversations. Thanks so much for your communications over the past months.

[@davea5113]

I also thought that I needed 500hp 427 power but made the choice to go with a 390hp 306ci BluePrintEngine with a T5 tranny, couldn't have been happier, all the power you would ever want. I like your roll bar, looks a 100% better than the double hoop design, enjoy your drive!

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks. And yes my 302 is more than enough to keep driving exciting and still enough power to make it scary :)

[@kevinwells768]

Nice work, enjoying the series.

[@jesselyons4820]

Make sure you check all the torque on engine and coolant parts after a few hundred miles. You will be shocked at what needs to be re tightened. Headers and coolant connections at the top of the list. Don't forget the intake manifold. It is beyond fun to drive. Enjoy my friend.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks! I truly appreciate the advice and I will certainly do what you recommended.

[@ProfessorOzone]

Hey! Congratulations! I'm envious. I'm still working on my dream and I'm afraid I'll time out before it's done. So kudos to you. Looking forward to your other projects.

[@randomwerks3763]

I’ve enjoyed our conversations. Thanks for your input along the way. Keep on that dream. I felt as if mine might never happen- but it did. Good luck!!

[@michaeldoran9293]

Thanks for the journey…

[@randomwerks3763]

It was more fun than I know how to convey!

[@canterburyaleworks2270]

great video series! I am in early stages of considering a build. PLEASE stop in at my little brewery in Canterbury, NH if you visit the area this summer! Would LOVE to see the project in person and talk shop.

[@randomwerks3763]

I drive through Canterbury all the time for work. Maybe this summer I’ll take the roadster and stop in! What’s that name of your brewery?

[@Travis8126]

Nice build you have some really unique customization to your car. Enjoy and be safe out there!

[@MagzV]

Note on the alignment - you do not have to realign anything if you're simply bringing the ride height back to when it was initially aligned. The geometry would simply go back to where it was.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks for the info. But I fear it sagged a bit before the alignment. So basically it was aligned to the lower and incorrect position. Uhg… live and learn

[@bakodon]

looks great been watching since day 1 , your fabrication skills is outstanding, and you made it your own with your style, that’s the way it should be . good job and thank you for showing us the build all the way through. Wish i could build one with in the inspiration you showed everyone watching will give all us confidence to build our own.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thank you so much for the kind words. It’s an odd but happy feeling being done.

[@ronalves9118]

Beautiful job. I will order my 35 truck this summer. The color is not to my liking but that is fine because when I finish my paint I am sure some people will tell me they do like that color, so no problem. Ron USCG RET

[@randomwerks3763]

Hey thanks. Yep, I knew the color wouldn’t be to everybody’s liking. It’s a 60’s Porsche color. Looks great in the sun- more bronze than brown.

[@cherrypibbboqus]

Awesome stuff man. Been following your videos since the beginning. 2 months away from my delivery and im very excited. I really appreciate you taking the effort to document your experiences. I have learned a bunch watching your videos I decided with a 427 small block and am nervous it might be tto much power. You and everyone else says its too much, so we will see how that goes Enjoy the drive and please post you thoughts on your driving impressions along the way. I would like to see what you think of the car at 5k, 10k, etc😁

[@randomwerks3763]

I’ll definitely keep some videos coming as I learn the car and get a better handle on the power. I’ve spoken to as many people saying the 427 is magic as I’ve heard say it’s too much. There’s a fellow cobra enthusiast who I know and have spoken with who swears by is 427 SBF- saying it’s as tame as you need it to be Thanks so much for watching!!

[@stratguitar9599]

Congrads on the build. Love the old school hood scope and exhaust. I also like the look of the interior. Very clean build. Now time to do a daytona coupe.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks! The only building I'm going to be doing in the near future is catching up on all the "honey-dos" that I've put off for the past year.

[@williameberle510]

I've been watching your videos from the first one. It's been great watching someone else go through the process as I was. Nice work on all of your custom design details! Hope you get many years of enjoyment and hope to meet you in person at one of the Cobra meet ups down the line.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks. I hope to get to the next open house at Factor Five in Ma.

[@matthewhindman375]

Enjoyed the recap. Love your customization. Unless you are going to make an absolutely faithful reproduction in every way, then I think you have freedom to make these kits as unique as you like. Your fabrication skills and quality finishing work make every choice compelling, even if not the choice I or another would make. I have been impressed with the roll bar all along. I also like the omission of side pipes, though I would prefer the pipes to exit just in front of the rear tire wells.

[@randomwerks3763]

Thanks for the note. The side pipe exit would indeed look nice in front of the rear wheel- just tough to make that happen without losing a bit of ground clearance. Now I sit and wait for my work day to end so I can get behind the wheel! Not easy. :)

[@matthewhindman375]

The brakes comment interests me. It seems a lot simpler to stick with manual brakes, but I don’t think I’ve ever driven anything with manual brakes, so I’m a bit scared it would take work to stop the car. Doesn’t sound like that fits your experience.

[@randomwerks3763]

This is my third car with manual brakes (VW Bug, 70's Porsche). The foot pedal pressure needed is right in line with the other two cars I've owned. I can stop this beast as quickly as I need to-- at least so far. I've tested it and it locks them up pretty easily.

[@EdenTernian]

have you thought about painting the inside of the dummy exhaust black? so that it looks the same

[@randomwerks3763]

Ha! You sir read my mind. I just did that very thing yesterday!! Looks way better.

[@projector7141]

tysm

[@svtjackal]

Bring it to the London cobra show in Ohio,

[@lawrencejones4161]

Boss 302 engine Ford never made a 302 motor

[@randomwerks3763]

Yep sometimes I mix up motor and engine.