Read an Interview with Dick Smith from 1982

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Dave Lindsey in What's New

I just returned from two weeks of vacation and while I was away “sharpening the ax”, I had some time to think of all the great people who have had a positive effect on Factory Five.

Above: Factory Five Nationals 2002, Sonoma, CA – Infineon Raceway. Heather Smith, Dick Smith, and Factory Five President Dave Smith.

One of those people is Dick Smith, who was a personal hero of mine and a good friend of the company.

I found this old article in Super Fords magazine with a cool interview from the man who owned and drove the “Worlds Fastest Cobra”, the car that is the inspiration behind the FFR Mk4 Roadster. It’s from 1982 and Super Fords Magazine is out of print so I figure its OK to just post it here.

Here’s a reprint of an interview with Dick Smith dating back over 25 years. It’s a great read, and gave us some fresh insights into our friend and hero, Dick Smith.

Two racing legends – Dick Smith and Bob Bondurant.

Godspeed Dick, we all miss you and thanks for all the help!

Latest Factory Five News

Ryan B. Unveils his ’35 Hot Rod Truck ‘MACH 35e’!

October 1, 2026

The Factory Five ’35 Hot Rod Truck is designed to be built with a small block Ford or Chevy, 5.0L Coyote, LS, or Hemi engine, but every so often these days, we hear a story about someone going down a different path and building their own custom EV out of our kit. Ryan B. from East Coast Cobras in Hollis, NH did just that, and recently graduated his Tesla-powered ’35 Hot Rod Truck! Read More »

The Bostrom’s Mk4 Shines at First Car Show!

September 25, 2026

“This is a lifetime dream come true for me!” John exclaims as he shares the news of graduating Mk4 Roadster build and attending his first car show with the completed car earlier this month. John found a partially built Mk4 Roadster for sale back in November 2023. He took a trip to talk to the owner in Katy, TX, and was soon bringing it home for him to complete the assembly. “I built a 454 Windsor Ford with Inglese 8 stack injection for it myself,” said John. “Installed it and got it to the running stage. My younger brother, his friend,… Read More »

Jim and Cecily T. Graduate Their Mk4 Roadster!

September 20, 2026

Congratulations to Jim. and Cecily T. from Heathsville, VA on graduating their Factory Five Mk4 Roadster build! They received their kit in April 2024. “I was in no rush since I planned on enjoying the build just as much as cruising in it.,” said Jim. “Goes back to my old drag racing days in the 70’s. Tinkering on that car was as much fun as racing it.” Jim’s plan for his Roadster build also included building up a 427 stroker engine as well as doing the paint as he saw it as an additional part of the build that he would enjoy… Read More »