The 2014 Factory Five Open House was another great success despite threatening skies.  The forecast of rain and the wash out/deluge of the day before definitely kept some people from driving their FFRs.  53 brave customers drove their cars to the event (a typical Open House brings out between 100 and 150 cars).  One customer drove his GTM up from Maryland, and another customer drove up through the rain on Friday from Pennsylvania.

The day turned out to be nice and no rain despite some dark clouds at mid-day.  Here are some photos and details from the 17th annual Factory Five Open House.

Huge thanks to everyone who drove their cars and attended the event!

The R&D shop was open this year and contained an 818R and an 818S as well as an 818R chassis that is being for a 30 day build.

The very first customers to arrive was Joe Kingsland and Billy Juaire Jr. from the Chamberlain International School in Middleboro, MA.  The Chamberlain School has built four Factory Fives and dedicated this Mk4 Roadster build to the Doug Anderson Memorial Automotive Program.

At 9 AM, a steady stream of Factory Fives began to arrive.

Event parking for Factory Five cars was at our building and spectator parking was at Wareham Crossing with shuttle buses running between the two all day.

At 10 AM, the newest Factory Five was unveiled.  Above: Dave Smith.

Above and Below: Jim Schenck, Director of R&D, and Jesper Ingerslev, Director of Engineering unveil the new 289 USRRC Roadster.

The car was on display for the entire Open House and headed out shortly there after to go to the London C-car Show.

The band (Sound Tower) played from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Factory Five customer and pro-builder Ron Everitt delivered a newly built ’33 Hot Rod to Dan G.

Behind the scenes, the legendary Hot Dog Grill Men prep thousands of dogs.

Factory Five welder Eric Parker provides customers with parking instructions.

No matter how many times we do Open House, seeing a large number of custom-built Factory Fives is always exciting.

The parts sale was busy as this year we had a good number of scratch and dent parts.

It as cool that out of 53 cars, four of them were GTMs, all of them very well built.

So put your hands under mine, and then try to slap my hand before I pull them away.

The R&D show was full of people all day check out the 818s all day long.

We’ve noticed over the years that a lot of families attend the Open House, so this year we added face painting and temporary tattoos to the ever popular bouncy bounce house.

The skies looked nasty all day, but that didn’t scare away these 53 brave folks and a huge number of spectators.

Above: Factory Five President Dave Smith hosted a plant tour at 11 AM, which began in the Welding Department.

Below: The composite molding area was the second stop on the tour.

Dave explains the molding process to the entire tour group.

The Robert Feddersen Award each year at the Open House to the customer who best exemplifies Robert’s selflessness.

Factory Five customer Armand P. earned “Best Paint” award.

Factory Five customer Michael E. drove his GTM from the mid-Atlantic region through torrential downpours to get to the Open House.

The Robert Feddersen committee selected Sean Lamontagne as the 2014 recipient of the Robert Feddersen Award.

Sean gets a hug from his wife.

Every car leaves Factory Five the same, and returns completely different.

Factory Five customer Garry Bopp had his Type 65 Coupe in the Factory Five showroom and won “Best in Show – Coupe”.

Factory Five customer Jim Kalwiet earned “Best Interior” for his very well built GTM.

Customer Ed Seagroatt won “Best in Show – Overall” with his extremely well built ’33 Hot Rod.

Car Show Award Winners:

Best Under Construction – Rod Brew

Best Use of Chrome – Craig Lindsey

Best Paint – Armand Pestana

Best Interior – Jim Kalwiet

Best Engine – Sean Lamontagne

Most Innovative Design – Ed Seagrott

Best Roadster – John Nederfield

Best GTM  – Michael Ehrlich

Best ’33 Hot Rod – Rob Nickerson

Best Type 65 Coupe – Garry Bopp

Best of Show – Ed Seagrott

Longest Distance – Michael Ehrlich

The Robert Feddersen Award – Sean Lamontagne

The 2014 Factory Five Open House is in the books.  We had a great time, and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s event where we’ll be celebrating our 20 year anniversary!

Click here to see the full photo gallery from the 2014 Factory Five Open House.

Photos Courtesy Miss Z Photography.