Check Out Factory Five's Solid Car Guys Podcast with Customer John George

[Mad Dog]

Check out episode 1 of Factory Five's brand-new podcast: Solid Car Guys!

In this week's episode, Dave Smith talks with long-time Factory Five customer and racing development partner John George on how he got involved with the FFR Challenge Series, participating in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, helping Jim develop the Coupe-R, and what may be in store for upcoming projects.



Watch on YouTube now, and we'll have it posted on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast apps shortly.

[BradCraig]

GT40?!!!!! Bring it! Take my money.

[john42]

GT40s are so painful on the street tho. I'm thinking De Tomaso Pantera?!?!

[PNWTim]

In one of the Ask Dave's from earlier this summer he specifically spoke a bit "negatively" re: GT40's, referring to the difficulty of driving on the street and the safety factor of fuel in the pontoons. Based on these comments it seems unlikely.

From a purely speculative standpoint I still don't quite understand why they would abandon the GTM (I believe it was because of the release of the C8) and then jump right back into producing a different one? Pantera had a relatively short run in racing with mediocre results at best. Either way, pretty excited to see what it is, considering his commitment to a viable track car.

[lewma]

GT40?!!!!! Bring it! Take my money.

Me too. That's my next build and was already looking at RCR. Just got to gain some more space in the garage first

[JohnK]

I mean... he pretty much all but said they're coming out with a GT40 at the 31:00 mark.

"We’ll talk about the next car as soon as we can. You can probably guess it if you think about the great mid-engine cars of the past. "

I'm torn on this one myself. I debated for a looooong time about building an RCR40. They're just drop-dead sexy cars but by most accounts are just terrible cars to drive on the street.

[Salty Chief 35]

Pantera??? You had me at hello! I already have a Warren tope 351c in my garage that came out of my dad’s pantera. I just can’t afford a real one. Gt40’s are awesome too. I looked at the RCR, but same problem as a pantera.

[lewma]

but same problem as a pantera.

What's the problem ?

[Dave Tabor]

transaxle...

[lewma]

I must be slow or something. what's the problem with a transaxle ?

[JohnK]

I must be slow or something. what's the problem with a transaxle ?

Price and availability. Last I heard, the lead time for a Mendeola transaxle, for example, was two years.

[lewma]

Got it

[Salty Chief 35]

Well, the transaxles had their own issues but I was referring to my personal lack of funds to afford a pantera or RcR gt40.

[JimStone]

Ford GT! Circa 2005. Sign me up!

I know Superlite makes one, but I hear it's a 2 year lead time and Superlite is impossible to work with.

Would definitely be my next project after my Coupe if FFR were to do it.

[PNWTim]

I mean... he pretty much all but said they're coming out with a GT40 at the 31:00 mark.

"We’ll talk about the next car as soon as we can. You can probably guess it if you think about the great mid-engine cars of the past. "

I'm torn on this one myself. I debated for a looooong time about building an RCR40. They're just drop-dead sexy cars but by most accounts are just terrible cars to drive on the street.

Yep, but you need to watch the Ask Dave - he totally bagged on the GT40 2 or 3 months ago so I think that's a non-starter. Maybe we need a forum pool set up?

[john42]

I recently sat in a GT40 replica and my head stuck out of the top. The Kirkey seat wasn't even bolted in yet and was sitting flat on the floor. I'm only 5'8"... Even with a Gurney bubble my head would still be hitting the roof with a helmet on. I've always dreamt of a GT40, it's a bucket list dream car. But after sitting in 2 and driving 1, the thing would just be a garage queen.

[BradCraig]

Price and availability. Last I heard, the lead time for a Mendeola transaxle, for example, was two years.

I'm in one of the GT40 groups and this is a big problem, availability and cost.

[Skuzzy]

Price and availability. Last I heard, the lead time for a Mendeola transaxle, for example, was two years.

Two friends of mine are at 2.5 years and still waiting on delivery.

[lewma]

Two friends of mine are at 2.5 years and still waiting on delivery.

Is Mendeola the only option ?

[cob427sc]

I'm going to start cleaning out the garage this weekend! Having built everything except a truck it's time for another project. Now what do I do with the Bugeye (V8 powered), the 911, the 818, the .......? My wife is going to kill me!

[Skuzzy]

Is Mendeola the only option ?

According to RCR;

"The car was designed to fit a range of transaxles, including the popular ZF series from the Pantera and BMW M1. These are available from RBT Transmissions, and other sources now, setup for the RCR 40. Another option is the T44, though these are hard to find and not popular for a number of reasons. Other transmissions can also be used, including the popular Porsche G50 series. "

[fauxbra5.0]

If I remember correctly, one of the agreements with the Shelby lawsuit back in the day was that FFR would not make a GT40 replica. Not sure if there was a statute of limitations, or it was simply just a gentleman's agreement...but VERY interested to see what FFR brings out with their new mid-engined car!

[Jeff Kleiner]

If I remember correctly, one of the agreements with the Shelby lawsuit back in the day was that FFR would not make a GT40 replica...

Nope. The following is a direct quote from Dave Smith "There is no such agreement. The actual agreement grants Factory Five freedom from any and all traded ress (shape) claims. We are free to make a GT40, however Ford does not own the name GT40, that is Safir, hence the new version was the Ford GT."

Jeff

[fauxbra5.0]

Nope. The following is a direct quote from Dave Smith "There is no such agreement. The actual agreement grants Factory Five freedom from any and all traded ress (shape) claims. We are free to make a GT40, however Ford does not own the name GT40, that is Safir, hence the new version was the Ford GT."

Jeff

Thanks Jeff! So there’s still hope!