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View Full Version : "A Tribute to Dad": Randolph Automotive's MK5 Roadster Build



Takis31gk
04-04-2025, 09:37 PM
Hey Everyone!

Let me start off by introducing myself. I'm Chris A., a 3rd generation car enthusiast and auto repair shop owner/manager. My passion has always been Ford's, more specifically Mustangs. I was introduced to the world of Shelby Cobra's at a young age and was truly mesmirized. About 25 years ago, my Dad came across Factory Five and their then MK II roadster. We had a Donor 1990 Mustang sitting in the back of the lot that we were considering using to build our first kit car. That project manifested itself in a different way, when a 4 cylinder 1993 Mustang convertible showed up at the shop with a blown motor, and Dad couldn't say no to purchasing it to swap over the 5.0/T-5 from the 1990.

Fastforward from 2000/2001 to 2020, our 1993 Mustang converible project went from a 4-cylinder/auto car, to a 5.0/T-5, and eventually to it's current platform of a 4.6 DOHC/TR3650 powertrain. It's still fun and resides in my parents garage with Dad's GT350. Around this time, Factory Five came out with their '33 Hot Rod and Truck, and Dad was infactuated. So much so, that we made the 40 minute trek down to Wareham to see the showroom and check to see if we fit into the pickup and hot rod. Needless top say with me at 6'4" and Dad standing 6' tall, it wasn't easy to fit in either platform. Back to the drawing board we went. Our donor 2018 Mustang GT sat and awaited its lifesaving transplant. An engine like that needed to run.

5 months ago, I sadly lost my Dad after a short illness and we never had the opportunity to build our next project car. A few weeks after he passed, I found myself down at Factory Five after a morning pheasant hunt, just looking to see what was new in the showroom. After speaking with Travis and eventually Dave, the story of my Dad looking to build a Factory Five car came up, and Dave brought me back into the R&D lab and showed me a chassis. He asked me to sit in it and see how I fit. Surprisingly, I fit very well. It was at that time that Dave informed me that I was sitting in the unannounced MK5 prototype. Needless to say, my jaw hit the ground. I couln't belive that Dave would take time out of his schedule to show me the protoype, talk to me about my Dad, and get me on the first list of MK5's. It was at that moment I was sold on Factory Five, and Dave Smith, who is a class act.

This past Wednesday, my crew and I picked up our MK5, which we are building as a tribute to my Dad. He would have been impressed with the updates and upgrades make to the chassis, and the amazing new fiberglass body. Thank you, Dave, and the team over at Factory Five. We cannot wait to complete our build and get it on the road. We will be posting on here the progress of our build, which is inpsired by CSX3281. Our MK5 will be powered by a Gen 3 Coyote, Tremec TKX, and an IRS setup in the rear. Please feel free to follow us on Instagram at @MK5Cobra.

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/chris-a-mk5-pick-up/


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PNWTim
04-04-2025, 10:30 PM
Sorry for your loss but what a great tribute. I look forward to following along.

Blitzboy54
04-04-2025, 11:30 PM
This is cool. I appreciate you sharing your story. I look forward to following your build.

Highplainsdakota
04-04-2025, 11:32 PM
What a great way to memorialize a great relationship. Have fun! I’m building a MK4 so I won’t be of much help with the new one but it’s fun to watch each others progress. Good luck!

Justin
04-05-2025, 10:27 PM
I'm glad your dad is living on through your memories and now the next big project. Cheers to the future!

Aleinsteingenius
04-06-2025, 06:56 AM
Chris,
I am about to start on a Mark V as well. My dad passed two years ago. I am setting up a new shop in my dad's old shop. I am 6'5 and always wanted a FFR roadster but could not fit until the Mark V. I went to FFR and sat in it. My kit should be ready to ship April 27th. I am on Long Island and look forward to following your build. This is a great way to honor our dads.

Takis31gk
04-06-2025, 12:12 PM
A bit late, but this is our update for this past week. We were able to get a bunch of work done on the MK5!. The front and rear suspension install has begun and should get the body rolling by tomorrow. The rear IRS differential was a bit tight getting in, but it is in place. The shocks were no problem, neither were the control arms. Rear IRS spindles have been modified and new hub bearings have been installed with the FFR included wheel studs. The Gen 3 Coyote from the donor Mustang GT has been removed, oil pan, oil pick up, and baffle have been replaced, along with some fuel lines under the intake manifold. Front accessoried will be replaced, along with the thermostat for added insurance. The engine has about 30k miles on it, but it's been sitting for a few years. We have periodically started it and it ran strong before we pulled it. New spark plugs will also be installed. I'm debating installing the BOSS 302 intake manifold, so let me know what y'all think about that. The body was removed and put on the body buck and is set to go to the body shop on Thursday.

Here are some progress pics, more to come at the end of the week.

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Takis31gk
04-06-2025, 12:15 PM
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And for anyone curious, we are about 20-22 hours into the build, all while still keeping the shop open.

Takis31gk
04-13-2025, 01:03 PM
We had kind of a busy week at the shop, but still managed to get the MK5 some love and attention. The body has been sent out to the body shop for prep work. Rear hubs and brakes have been installed, as well as the front spindles. Our transmission has been orderd and will be picked up this coming week from Forte's in Framingham, MA (Thank you, Mike!). If anyone is looking for a transmission, I'd highly recommend Forte's! They were great about getting us a quote and they have inventory on the shelf. We should have the rest of the steering and suspension in this week to get the body rolling around.

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Takis31gk
04-13-2025, 01:07 PM
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Some Pics of the suspension and brakes. My tech, Sean, did a phenomenal job prepping and painting the rear calipers. They came off our 2018 Mustang GT donor, and were a bit oxidized, but now look brand new! Needless to say, he's going to paint the front calipers from FFR to match the rears.

Takis31gk
05-29-2025, 03:55 PM
The shop has been VERY busy, so I haven't had a free moment to update everyone on the MK5 build until today.

We have installed the front brakes, and paint matched the calipers to the rear. Eventually I'll install the 94-04 Mustang Cobra brakes. We mocked up the 18" Halibrand wheels and they're gonna look sharp! The steering column was installed and the steering wheel has been mocked up. It's currently sitting on the 19" wheels off our donor Mustang to move around.

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Takis31gk
05-29-2025, 04:03 PM
While the guys were working on the car, I was able to sneak out and run to Forte's in Framingham, MA to pick up our TKX transmission. If you're local and haven't stopped in, you need to! That place is like a car lovers candy shop!! Big thank you to Forte's for an awesome experience.

Willwood pedals are installed and the body is being prepped over at the body shop. We are using L&W Auto Body in Randolph. We've used them for close to if not over 50 years and they do phenomenal work!

This week, we are hoping to plumb all the brakes and start with the fuel system. Soon thereafter, I want to complete the wiring and have the drivetrain installed. Our 2018 Gen3 Coyote is currently on the engine stand being refreshed by one of our Techs, Aden.

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Aleinsteingenius
05-30-2025, 04:39 PM
I took the ferry over from Long Island and drove up to Mike Forte's place to pick up my trans, clutch, etc. as well. Mike is the kind of guy where you want record everything he says. What a wealth of knowledge! At the rate you are going your Mark V will be done before my starts. We are still finishing up the new shop. Thanks for the pics.

Takis31gk
06-05-2025, 08:01 PM
I took the ferry over from Long Island and drove up to Mike Forte's place to pick up my trans, clutch, etc. as well. Mike is the kind of guy where you want record everything he says. What a wealth of knowledge! At the rate you are going your Mark V will be done before my starts. We are still finishing up the new shop. Thanks for the pics.

Feel free to reach out with any questions, more than happy to lend a hand when/where we can.

Tango
06-05-2025, 09:23 PM
What a great tribute to your father, I love it. We kind of have that in common. My father passed away a little over a year ago and as I work on my build I feel like I am bonding with him during the process.

StangRacer
06-05-2025, 10:16 PM
Very sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad 13 years ago today. There are many times when I am in the garage working on the Cobra wishing he could be there.

Takis31gk
10-16-2025, 10:36 AM
The Summer of 2025 was a fast moving one! A couple weeks in Greece seeing family, non-stop work, but we still managed to get working on the car! Fuel lines, and brake lines are run. Front and rear brakes installed, and we upgraded the front brakes to the 94-04 Cobra style for better performance and look. Radiator was test-fit, parking brake handle assembled, and finally the drivetrain was mocked up in place. Making good progress on getting it running next month.
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