Factory Five Racing is almost definitely the largest kitcar manufacturer in the world in volume terms and although a variety of people have personally imported their kit packages here over the years the Massachusetts-based company has never really had an official agent in the UK who have imported their complete range – until now.

Dan Walsh of Tech-Autos of Frome, Somerset has been restoring and modifying a variety of cars for several years and he recently did a deal to represent Factory Five here. He’ll be bringing in most of the range including Roadster, Subaru Impreza-based 818S and Type 65.

Dan will offer some of the models in kit form others as turnkeys only, due to the complexities of making them UK-compliant, but he is currently building his first 818S demo car, powered by a tuned Scooby flat-four unit.

The company plan to have a presence at this year’s National Kit Car Motor Show at Stoneleigh as well as the new Newark show in July.

818S and its sister 818C will be available in kit form with prices starting at £19,800 inc VAT with turnkey Type 65s from £93,480 inc VAT. We’ll be bringing you more information as things progress.

Exciting times in the UK for Factory Five Racing and Tech-Autos. More information is available from www.tech-autos.co.uk or 07494 339 929 or alternatively, for all things, FFR visit www.factoryfive.com ENDS."

A warm welcome to totalkitcar online … In volume terms Factory Five Racing must be the world’s biggest kitcar company.

It has always puzzled me that they’ve never managed to really crack the UK market and although there’s probably more of their cars being built (or on the road) here than you think, several companies have had a go without really managing to really establish the brand here.

Tech-Autos are the Factory Five importers for the UK

That looks about to change. A go-ahead company based in Frome, Somerset called Tech Autos and run by the very helpful and friendly Dan Walsh have big plans. Plans that are definitely achievable while they’ve already sold several FFR kits and cars in the UK. I’ve been very impressed by Tech Autos.

Their range consists of Roadster (available in Mk4 427-style), 289 and Challenge (race) versions.

Then comes their hot rod range – 33 Ford, Speedstar Coupe, 35 Truck and Barrett-Jackson Edition Truck), topped off by the GTM supercar and 818 (in ‘C’, ‘R’ and ‘S’ guises) sportscar.

Dan tells me that he can supply most of their range in either kit or fully built form and he’ll be happy to help you with any enquiry you may have.

In addition, Blueprint Engines is one of America’s leading V8 specialists and Dan is also acting as UK agent for them now, too. Blueprint has options for Ford, Chevy and Mopar with their units built on a reconditioned ‘seasoned’ block or in some cases brand new castings. View www.blueprintengines.com.

To find out more about Dan’s activities visit www.tech-autos.co.uk.