Factory Five GTM: Spotted
Want something a little different? Kit builder Factory Five's GTM is certainly that - and much more besides...
US-based Factory Five made its name with the Mk.4, a DIY Shelby Cobra kit based around the V8 engine and running gear from a Ford Mustang GT. It won genuine acclaim from the media and owners alike, selling over 6,000 examples and prompting the company to expand its mission to democratise dream car ownership beyond classics and into the present era.
This is the result of that mission, the GTM Supercar. Like the Cobra before it, it too is based on an existing model - although perhaps not quite so closely. In fact, there is a good deal of speculation online surrounding what exactly the design of the GTM is meant to echo. The Ford GT is a common suggestion, but it seems it was actually styled to pay homage to the Saleen S7, at least as it's told by Factory Five CEO David Smith in this handy video.
It's not just for looking at, though. Factory Five claims that the GTM is "modern in every sense" and while that may be true of the composite bodywork, it isn't necessarily the case underneath. Like many such kits, the GTM is what you make of it, and was originally designed to use the 5.7-litre V8 engine from a C5 Corvette paired with the nearly thirty year old Porsche G50 transmission. Still power is power, and the G50 is revered as one of Porsche's best ever shifts - so who're we to judge?
This particular car boasts a 550hp 6.2-litre V8, however, which implies the fitment of Chevy's LS3 from the newer C6 Corvette. It puts its power down via that five-speed G50 transaxle and a set of massive Pirelli P Zeros. Air conditioning ought to keep you comfortable when behind the wheel, and the 4,000 miles on the odometer offers peace of mind when justifying the price.
As should its performance. When Car and Driver tested a GTM equipped with a 505hp Z06 engine back in 2007, they found it capable of 0-60 in 3.0 seconds and an 11 second quarter-mile. They even described the driving experience as "remarkably confidence inspiring for a vehicle so horrifically quick." Given that a GTM kit costs just $20,000 (plus, of course, the requisite Corvette and Porsche pieces to make it move) that's quite some statement.
Despite its far-flung origins and curio status (or perhaps because of it) PHers have, of course, been interested in the GTM for some time. Indeed, there are several forum threads detailing their own builds and even discussing its merits versus the evergreen Ultima GTR. Still, according to the ad, today's Spotted is the only UK-based example, so it seems that desire for the GTM may be a classic case of money not necessarily following mouth.
As David Smith puts it, "it's no challenge to build a half a million dollar supercar, try building a car that performs at that level for ten per cent of that price. That's a challenge." And as for spending £65,000 on a car that someone else has built themselves? That challenge we leave up to you.
See the full ad here.
SPECIFICATION - FACTORY FIVE GTM
Engine: 6,162cc, V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 550@ 6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 425@ 4,600rpm
MPG: 18mpg
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 4,000
Price new: £65,000-ish
Yours for: £65,000
Number 2: Styling homage to the S7... This vehicle is better looking than the S7 and has more appealing proportions than the S7 i.e. thinking of the awkwardly, yet necessary I am sure, rear-end of the S7.
Number 3: I am thankful more builders are opting to use traditional manual gearboxes, but this is only a 5 speed? Never thought anything built today would be anything less than a 6 gears.
Number 4: Seeing a picture of it before I clicked on it for a larger view I couldnt tell if if was some new Corvette or another variation of the Ferrari-something or another?...? Needless to say however, it is bad ass looking. I'd buy it for my fantasy garage.
This....
or that....
Same age, same mileage, but 100bhp less, older engine and ancient gearbox.
As kit cars go, it's not bad, but not good enough for that money.
I agree with the general point though, at that price you'd have to really want the GTM to buy one over a Corvette unless you were planning to build it yourself.
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