In 1997, we had been in business for two years and we decided to have our very first Open House –maybe 25 cars showed up. It was a chance to hang with the people who pay our rent and check out cars. Over the years, thousands of people have attended our annual Open House event. This year marked the 21st time we would host the event in 27 years and the first following COVID.
We are tremendously thankful for how much the Factory Five Family has grown and for what was a great turnout on a beautiful summer day! While the community has grown and changed over time, the Open House Schedule has become almost ritual.
Factory Fives come thundering in between 8 am and 9 am, live music, hot dogs, plant tours, demo cars in the showroom, scratch and dent sales, and car show awards. This year we included the drive down to the Newport Car Museum. Since our last Open House, there have been a ton of changes.
Plant tours started in welding and went through the new molding building, chassis assembly, and packaging.Then the car show awards were presented around noon.
Car show judges included customers Jeff K., Paul B., Henry R., Ron E. This year’s Open House was extra special because it was a long time coming! Thanks to everyone who showed up and made it an Open House to remember.
Car Show Award Winners:
Best in Show Coupe – Jason Fields
Roadster – 1st Place – Dave Worrick
33 Hot Rod – 1st Place – Ryan Bousquet
818 – 1st Place – Brian Proulx
Spyder GT – 1st Place – Paul Murphy
Hot Rod Truck – 1st Place – Phil Mauch
Challenge Series – 1st Place – Garry Bopp
Best Under Construction – Ed Casey
Best Chrome – John Piader
Best Paint – Jim Spellman
Best Interior – Ed + Debbie Korza
Best Engine – David White
Best Innovative Design – Jim Dunn
Ricky Bobby Award (Who arrived 1st to Open House) – Ralph Button
Longest Distance (Who drove the furthest to get here) – Craig Watkins
Most Accumulated Mileage – Sten Johnson