Customer Brian B. learned about Factory Five in 2002 while assigned to Air Station Cape Cod, MA in the U.S. Coast Guard. He started to think about a Roadster build at that point, but was heavily commited to his 1993 Mustang build and not to use as a donor car. Jump forward 15 years, his Mustang being fully restored, Brian decided to finally get the real car of his dreams. Brian advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 2017, and purchased a built Mk3 Roadster.

Since purchasing the Mk3, he has been working on making the car his own. The paint is Sherwin Williams Marlin Blue Metallic and added 3M Satin Pearl White Vinyl Stripes. The Roadster is powered by a Roush 515 HP 402R crate engine with VMS Turkey Pan, Champion cooling system explansion tank, and mated to a Tremec race version TKX 5-speed transmission. It has an IRS with 3:55 gears, custom front and rear Brembo GT brakes, and the bronze 25th Anniversary Factory Five wheels with Toyo Proxes R888R tires.

Above and below: Brian giving Veterans rides in his Mk3, Veterans Day 2023.

“The best part of ownership so far – other than constantly contemplating future modifications,” wrote Brian, “was last Veterans Day when I was able to assist “Vets Recover” with making a lifelong dream come true for a veteran battling terminal lung cancer.”

Thank you for your service in the Coast Guard Brian, and for helping Veterans! Brian is planning to retire in January 2025 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer with almost 24 years of service, and when he returns home to New Orleans, he’ll keep traveling with his wife Loan in their Mk3 Roadster to events across the country to enjoy and experience the Factory Five community.

Above and below: Brian has been working on updating the interior of his Roadster. He recently contacted FFR for permission to make a custom horn button for his MOMO steering wheel. It looks awesome!