As Told by Troy Rieder

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.I have always been a Corvette guy. When I came across Factory Five in 2005 after the company had just announced the Spyder GT, a topless version of the Type 65 Coupe. I was in love with the shape as it resembled my 1970 Corvette, which I had previously sold to finance my business. 

Money was good now so I wanted the Spyder. Factory Five said (and rightly so) that this was a difficult car to build and not for the first-time builder. So I bought the Mk 3 Cobra Roadster instead and joined a tremendous family of fellow builders. In the meantime, Factory Five quickly shut down production of the Spyder after 39 units in order to make room and time for the upcoming GTM project.

But the Spyder was always in the back of my mind, and unfinished kits came up for sale ever now and then. But they were always US-based and getting a used kit into Canada would be problematic.

I was aware of one kit in Canada that was partially built with no forward progress for many years. I contacted him and made him aware I would purchase his kit if he was interested. In June of 2013 after five years of hounding I purchased the unfinished kit. It was a complete roller, but my vision for the car was completely different that what was sitting in front of me.  Despite the previous owner’s claim of only 40 to 50 hours to complete the car, everything had to be re-done. Some 350 hours later, the only original things on the car were the radiator and the fuel cell. The plan was to recreate my 1970 Corvette design: Daytona Yellow with Black (Baldwin era) Stripe.

Being in Northern Canada, getting the parts and products I wanted for this build was difficult and expensive. Doing the Cobra was easy and fun. The Spyder is another beast altogether. After discussing with a number of Factory Five builders and suppliers, Gordon Levy of Levy Racing was my go-to guy.  Levy Racing supplied the engine, suspension, brakes and most things mechanical. He and I also worked together to complete the paint and interior finishing.

I brought the Spyder down to the Factory Five cruise-in at Huntington Beach, California in April of 2015. I spent a number of days prior to the show cruising Mulholland Drive and other roads above Malibu. The Spyder’s handling saved me a number of times as I was in over my head on a couple of blind corners and switchbacks.

At the show, I had a busy time answering questions and talking to fellow builders and the general public, with many comments such as, “What is it?” and “I’ve heard of it, but never seen one before.” I also chuckled inwardly at two comments: “Why did you cut the roof off a Coupe?” Seriously? How I like to respond: “I like the looks and it’s easier to get in and out.”  After all, I’m a big guy and I could never fit in a Coupe.

The Huntington Beach show couldn't have ended better for me. Famed designer Peter Brock and Dave Smith presented me with the Best in Class Type 65 Coupe Award. Being the 50th anniversary of Peter Brock’s Shelby Daytona Coupe and having him at the show and presenting the award was incredible. I still have a smile on my face.