By J.A. Ackley
Jan 30, 2025
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Factory Five,
Factory Five Racing,
Factory Five Mk5 Roadster
Photography courtesy Factory Five Racing
Sure, many of us love the classic Cobra … but it’s certainly not built for today, or for bigger drivers. Factory Five Racing’s new Mk5 Roadster, however, pays homage to the Cobra with an all-new modern design that not only incorporates modern technology, but claims to be better suited for larger people.
“In the truest sense we are continuing a tradition that began in the 1960s and continues to this day,” said Dave Smith, Factory Five Racing President. “Oh yeah, and if you are a big guy who has always wanted a Cobra replica but has never fit, now you do and I can promise you the Mk5 will have been worth the wait.”
Factory Five Racing engineered an all-new, modern spaceframe chassis and ditched the traditional 4-inch round-tube from the 1960s. The Mk5 weighs 55 pounds more than the Mk4, but in regards to torsional rigidity, it’s four times stronger than the Mk4 and 17 times more than the original 427 Cobra.
The Mk5 chassis also offers more interior space. Factory Five Racing claims it will comfortably accommodate a 6-foot-5, 330-pound driver with size 14 shoes. Plus, a dropped trunk floor provides more trunk space.
As far as the suspension, Factory Five Racing replaced the tubular front lower control arms with forged aluminum ones. The independent rear suspension also gets forged uppers and lowers. In addition, the suspension up front now has two mounting holes per each front lower control arm. This allows owners to make easier adjustments for ride height and other suspension geometry.
When it comes to the carbon fiber body, Factory Five Racing said its Mk5 beta builder, Jeff Kleiner, reported a 60% reduction in bodywork when it comes to painting. Plus, there’s an optional removable hard top that’s more elegant than past iterations, thanks to the new chassis design.
The Mk5's drivetrain can use the same engines as the Mk4: 289/302, 351W and derivatives, 390/427FE, 4.6L SOHC & DOHC, 5.0L Coyote Modular V8, and the LS series. It can also accommodate the increasingly popular 7.3-liter Godzilla.
The all-new Factory Five Mk5 Roadster chassis will cost more than its predecessor–to the tune of $4K more–with its price now at $24,990.
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