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  • Dec. 17, 2009 11:09 p.m. Jaynen

    Just FYI I purchased a new to me mk4 2000 Jetta TDI in LA about 2 months ago with 125k miles on the clock (timing belt was done at 90k) and the guy sold me the VAGCOM unit with it for 6k, my coworker also just picked up a 2001 with about 134k miles for 7k

    Definitely does not drive like a gas car but it sure likes the highway and 45mpg on average while doing 75-80mph is pretty awesome. As well as the 550-600mile fuel tank range. For commuting its hard to beat, but I keep hoping for a little more "fun" which is why I am thinking of a weekend car.

    The VW bluesport concept looks similar to something I could really enjoy but now that I know about it I will definitely be watching the FF project develop.

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Dec. 18, 2009 8:37 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer Dork

    I am definately watching this topic on the Factory Five Forum and on VWvortex as well. I am ready to hack up my Mk4...

  • jlphil

    Feb. 4, 2010 9:07 a.m. jlphil New Reader

    Just an update bump, this thing is moving relentlessly forward. Mark's fabricating the prototype he will drive for development before releasing the beta kits, and has posted pics on Twitter of the design and fabrication process. Here's where the pics are if interested, hope it's OK to post the addy: http://twitter.com/factoryfive

    Gotta admit, my favorite part of the concept is attacking the Jetta with a SawZall. Can't wait!

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Feb. 4, 2010 10:00 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

    yup, making some awesome progress, got a couple of people biting at our software to throw in it when they get their kit too!

  • alleghenyman

    March 5, 2010 9:58 a.m. alleghenyman New Reader

    I've been grappling with what to do with my beloved 1.8t Jetta, the first car I ever bought, which I maintained like a museum piece only to have it wrecked and repaired by a half-assed shop with a tweaked chassis.

    Can't wait to give it new life and buy a fast sportscar for $10k.

    My only quibble with this project: Is there a way to make the car a targa?

  • nderwater

    March 5, 2010 2:46 p.m. nderwater Reader

    Yup, a targa variant is part of the plan.

  • kcbhiw

    March 5, 2010 4:32 p.m. kcbhiw HalfDork

    For a few years now, I've aspired to build some sort of car like this. Furthermore, I've wanted to play around with a diesel. This project is right up my alley, especially for the projected price. I look forward to seeing where it goes will be glued to the progress updates .

  • friedgreencorrado

    March 5, 2010 5:22 p.m. friedgreencorrado Dork

    jlphil wrote:

    Just an update bump, this thing is moving relentlessly forward. Mark's fabricating the prototype he will drive for development before releasing the beta kits, and has posted pics on Twitter of the design and fabrication process. Here's where the pics are if interested, hope it's OK to post the addy: http://twitter.com/factoryfive

    Gotta admit, my favorite part of the concept is attacking the Jetta with a SawZall. Can't wait!

    This community is so cool. When the concept was first posted here, I immediately wondered if the FFive guys ever read the forum.

    Not only do we know now that they do, but we also know they get the power tool rush just like we do! Have fun with the Jetta, dude! Looks like good progress. I'm a VW guy, and I like this idea a lot. I don't have enough dough for one of the kits, but if you want to mail one of the betas for, uh, "testing" I volunteer...

  • jlphil

    June 6, 2010 4:29 p.m. jlphil New Reader

    Hey FGC, I've not been on the boards much lately, but for sure love everything GRM. I've been messing with FFR's for 13 years now, and had been wanting to build SOMETHING again...and right about then Mark Smith's diabolical mind came up with this Jetta TDI idea, and I was hooked! I tell ya, from my experience building three FFR's and helping build several others, I have a lot of faith in Mark Smith's engineering, and expect this G3F will be killer. I'm on the beta build list, and hope to be chopping up the Jetta by late summer!

    For those interested, here is more info. ( Moderators, please forgive me and edit as needed if posting other addys is improper)

    Mark posts lots of photos and running commentary as the work progresses on Facebook at: Smyth G3F Progress

    There's still a huge thread at ffcars.com; here's the latest page with more detailed info re the project:
    Smyth G3F Thread

    Can't wait to see how this all comes out!

  • friedgreencorrado

    June 7, 2010 12:40 a.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

    In reply to jlphil:

    Sweet. Thanks for the links!

  • dyintorace

    Feb. 6, 2011 11:00 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

    Mark had an open house yesterday and lots of pics of the alpha car now up.

    http://b.shaw.home.comcast.net/g3f/2nd_oh

    http://flickr.com/gp/ixlr08/32792H

  • carguy123

    Feb. 6, 2011 2:33 p.m. carguy123 UberDork

    So he's used a tub of some car to get the firewall, windshield, dash and doors. What car?

    I know the engine is the TDI

    Fitment of door to front and rear panels looks like old school, cheap widebody kit.

    I still like the concept, I'm just hoping for a much better quality final fit and finish.

  • mad_machine

    Feb. 6, 2011 2:45 p.m. mad_machine UltimaDork

    it's still the "alpha" car.. no doubt it will get refined in the beta phase.

    I was hoping for a coupe' Diesel exhaust fumes can make me ill, so I would want a roof between me and them

  • Feb. 6, 2011 2:56 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

    I can tell you that the doors are reskinned Mk IV doors. I recognize the innards and hinges.

    I am sure that the fit and finish on production kits will be much nicer.

  • mad_machine

    Feb. 6, 2011 3:47 p.m. mad_machine UltimaDork

    it definatly has my attention. Sounds like the perfect commuter for me.

    Though it does kind of remind me of the last gen celica

  • imirk

    Feb. 6, 2011 5:04 p.m. imirk New Reader

    In reply to mad_machine:

    It's the headlights ...

  • mad_machine

    Feb. 6, 2011 5:34 p.m. mad_machine UltimaDork

    and the bumper

  • Ian F

    Feb. 6, 2011 9:30 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

    In reply to mad_machine:

    Yep... still the alpha car... and barely half finished at that. I know his original time frame was somewhat ambitious, but right now I'd guess we're at least a couple of years from production kits.

  • 16vCorey

    Feb. 7, 2011 8:22 a.m. 16vCorey UltraDork

    carguy123 wrote:

    So he's used a tub of some car to get the firewall, windshield, dash and doors. What car?

    It's all MKIV Jetta. I'm pretty sure they're using the tub, cut off in front of the front shock towers, at the top of the A pillar, and across the rear seat area.

  • DukeOfUndersteer

    Feb. 7, 2011 8:24 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer UberDork

    Ive got a Mk4 Jetta tub for sale if anyone wants it...

  • Ian F

    Feb. 7, 2011 8:57 a.m. Ian F SuperDork

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

    Ive got a Mk4 Jetta tub for sale if anyone wants it...

    Tub alone is worthless without the drivetrain and wiring, which he is reusing.

    I had high hopes for this project when it started... now, not so much... I just can't see how he'll be able to bring a kit to market for the $10K he's targeting. Plus, if you've watched the progress of the build, this would NOT be a beginner's kit you'd want to be your first one. There is a lot of cutting of the orginal tub involved and no end end to potential 'gotchas'. And he hasn't even started on the wiring yet.

  • T.J.

    Feb. 7, 2011 9:09 a.m. T.J. UltraDork

    linkSo, it's a TDI powered La Bala?

  • smyth/fact5 mark

    March 23, 2011 2:27 p.m. smyth/fact5 mark New Reader

    Ian F i guess I have to disagree a bit:) respectfully of course.

    The whole project has been designed from the outset as a simple build. The cutting of the car is a simple three step cut...door jamb slice....base of the windshield slice...and rear seat slice.

    the fact that the dash/ac/steering/front suspension/ frontr frame rails remain intact makes it easier to build since you don't have to take everything apart under the front.

    The movingof the engine/trans to the rear is simple with a front wheel drive engine assembly, and the rear suspension is another front kframe with struts...again..about as simple as you can make a car.

    The front and rear subframes that hold the body panels front and rear(yes they are just held on with two screws in the alpha) are bolt on assemblies without welding.

    That's my two bits....but I am a bit more excited about the car than most.

    The first car is john phillips car and is leaving around the end of april. I am only making 2 a week through the summer so that I can ship the existing deposit list of 40 cars. Judge the car when you see it in person...and yes it will be 10 grand...i may charge an extra grand for the hard top but the kit made the 10 grand price point...barely...but we made it.

    Mark smith

    facebook.com/smythperformance

    go green, go fast

  • jstein77

    March 23, 2011 2:38 p.m. jstein77 Dork

    In reply to jlphil:

    Hi John, long time no see!

    Jerry

  • Ian F

    March 23, 2011 6:19 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

    smyth/fact5 mark wrote:

    Ian F i guess I have to disagree a bit:) respectfully of course.

    As I've said, I hope to be proven wrong. I have similar reservations about the FFR WRX kit.

    Will the car be at Carlisle this year?

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