Ride Along with Ralph Button Across the Country

[Mad Dog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYZEtcgnsU8

Factory Five customer Ralph Button was profiled by Jim Coleman in a video called “The Traveler” which documents Ralph’s cross-country journey from North Carolina to Las Vegas Nevada for the 2003 Factory Five Nationals. Joining Ralph and Jim on the trip was Factory Five customer Earl G.

https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/buttoautocross.jpg

Ralph is famous in the Factory Five community for the number of miles he has put on his Mk1 Roadster. In the video, he says he has almost 199,000 miles on the car, but since then, Ralph has reached over 450,000 miles!

Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Ralph!

[Gumball]

This is a great video... also on the FFR promo DVD. It's something that I play often when I get in a rut about the work that's still ahead and it always raises my spirits and gets me working!

[Wayne Presley]

And add to that Ralph is one of the nicest people to walk the Earth.

[mrmustang]

And add to that Ralph is one of the nicest people to walk the Earth.

X2, Ralph is one of those no nonsense, down to earth car people.


Bill S.

[RM1SepEx]

X3,

I remember when he was shaking down his Roadster... He ran with my local autocross club www.CumberlandMotorClub.com

Damn, I'm getting old, that was many years ago!

[riptide motorsport]

X4!!!!!!!!!

[R. Button]

THE video lives again! :) Thanks for the kind words... My car is just under 10,000 miles from the half million mile mark now. Since that video was done it now has front and rear bumpers, a new FFR older style soft top - my original one started ripping in the front where it folds up, the engine is now a 347 carb'ed and my big find was a pair of carbon fiber doors and trunk lid (the boot), which have been installed and painted. The front end looks like someone sand blasted it from all the stone chips! I think some of it is following - maybe a bit too closely - a few of you'All out on the track! :)

I no longer travel to business like I use to, crossing the US to meet with accounts. Travel now is to the office most every day in the car about 50 miles. Additionally I'm preparing for a new path in my life as I make the drive on the weekends between Arkansas and Shawnee, OK for my studies at St. Gregory's University. If things work right don't be too surprised to see the car up in Collegeville, Minnesota at St. John's Seminary.

It still is stress releasing to climb into the car and as Wayne often said... "All the problems go away at the sound of the engine" or something to that affect :) In the car you don't get caught up with the cell phone or radio, just the engine sounds and smells of the road! You get to disconnect from all the devices with a ... sorry i can't hear the phone ring while I'm traveling in THE car!

Dave Smith has been good to me by selling a fantastic car that I actually built! And then what I did not expect is it really is fun to drive! I know I would still drive Earl crazy as I'd want to drive 9-10 hours at a stretch! :) But he's still as strange as ever and just as nice!

And Jake - (Jake is a uniquely different boy) - STILL LOVES to ride with me when ever he can get me to take him!

Am still having a day better than I deserve!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Good to see your story again Ralph! It's always been one of my favorites. All my best to you as you continue your studies :)

Jeff

[kabacj]

Ralph,

I have heard your story as part of the factory five lore. A story about this solid car guy who drives the hell out of his roadster. I have never seen this movie. I am glad it was posted here.

I have shared it with a few non factory five friends.

It takes a unique person to build your own car. As a group, factory five coustomers are a special bunch. Your story however is an example for us all. The movie made my day.

Thanks for sharing.

John

[cHEAPSNAKE]

Congrats on the (almost) half mil mark, Ralph. I have Ron Hasenbuhler's 1738, who I think you tracked with, now completely rebuilt, repowered and repainted. Good to know us old timers, cars and drivers are still going strong.

Tom

[wesmantoothAZ]

What a cool story Ralph. Did you ever make that trip to Alaska you were talking about in the video? How about a current picture of you and your FFR if you're willing to post one? Thanks for sharing.

[Todd Buttrick]

Absolutely amazing story Ralph. I just clocked over 90,000 miles and I am immensely humbled. Just not enough time and enough roads as of late. When I retire, I will make all attempts to catch up. Will you be at Open House this year? You are an inspiration to us all. God bless.

[R. Button]

I will have to get some updated pictures - my son does all photographic/graphic art work thus rely on him.
That trip to Alaska has not happened yet ... still on the "bucket list" :)
As for the up coming open house weekend (June 15th) ... I have been considering taking some time off for the weekend, if my studies can be "adjusted" some to allow for a few days out on the road.

[QSL]

Most inspirational video I have ever seen about our cars. Thanks

[Jeff Collins]

As good as it gets for a lot of reasons! Ralph is a LEGEND for a lot of reasons too.