You must have a cool car to drive the iconic 2400 mile Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, right? I agree, so I’m building a Factory Five Racing replica 1965 Cobra roadster for the trip. The kit is excellent: I’ve built and raced several of them over the past 25 years, and this one is coming together nicely too!
I’ll tell you the story of how I came by this particular car below, and show you a few photos and give some info on the build. The car has an instantly familiar look, having raced internationally during the 1960’s, bringing Ford Motor Company and a brash retired racing driver, Carroll Shelby, to worldwide fame back then. Maybe you watched the 2019 movie “Ford vs. Ferrari”? Well, this car is the brother to the cars shown in that flick.
What goes UNDER the skin of the Cobra body is what I’m most interested in. The mechanical and electrical parts move the car down the road; the body is just decoration! The photo shows the frame and partially completed engine and interior compartments.
I’ll post more info and photos as progress occurs. This thing is almost ready to come off the jacks and roll under its own power. I’m hoping to drive it (legally) before August, 2023, then spend several months working the bugs out, in preparation for the C3 on Route 66 event in 2024. That trip should put about 6,000 miles on the Cobra by the time I return home, let’s hope they are trouble-free!
Below, you’ll find an article written by Nicole Smith of Factory Five Racing (www.factoryfive.com) published in their September 2023 newsletter. It details how I got this particular car kit, and the wonderful friendship that developed with its previous owner, Retired USAF Col. Gale Larson. Here’s Nicole’s account:
“Aardvark, FFR Mk 4 build”
Posted on September 21, 2023 by Nicole Smith in What’s New
Factory Five customer Col. Gale L. from Michigan purchased a Factory Five Mk4 Roadster complete kit. He successfully installed the running gear and brake lines, displaying his enthusiasm for the project. Unfortunately, due to health complications after his service as an Air Force pilot, Gale faced limitations in progressing further with the build.
A fortunate turn of events occurred when Gale’s brother Neil introduced him to Factory Five friend, John Phillips.
Generously, Gale decided to sell the kit to John, who is committed to completing the project and driving it for a charitable endeavor. Together, they are turning a dream into a force for good!
In 2021, John drove to Michigan to pick up the kit, and loosely assembled it with Gale and Neil before making the trailer trip back to North Carolina.
Fast forward to summer 2022, and the final construction began. John’s grandson Jack documented, and traveling mechanic Brendan Dougherty joined to help with wiring and the engine, which ran perfectly! Former owner Gale came to North Carolina to visit and help with assembling the car.
On September 5, 2023, they installed the body. John’s plan is to finish, register, insure, and take a drive in the gelcoat before sending it to Jeff Kleiner for bodywork. Why the rush? John plans on driving the car in a 5,000-6,000 mile charity road trip in May 2024.
What makes this build special is that it is dedicated to Col. Gale L., a retired Air Force pilot who couldn’t finish it due to health issues. John named the car Aardvark after the F-111 bomber aircraft Gale flew during his Air Force career. It’s a Mk4 “complete” kit with a souped-up crate engine, and upgrades like electric power steering. John added Jeff Kleiner’s paint artistry will make this the prettiest Aardvark ever seen!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=l1Pa54Mv8Go%3Fsi%3DYIsU1Igslx7oXpQV
In May 2024, John will drive Aardvark on Route 66 to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Team Boomer and Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Follow his journey and get involved at www.c3on66.org. Aardvark will rack up 5-6,000 miles, continuing a legacy of FFR travels!
