Ford GT: Then, and Now - Hardcover

Streather, Adrian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1845840542 ISBN 13: 9781845840549

Publisher: Veloce Publishing Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

This book contains new information and a different view of the Ford GT legend. Drivers have been interviewed. Never before seen historical and new photographic records have been included. Some of the old myths and legends have been revisited. The enemies of the Ford GT on the racing track have been included. The Ford GT replica industry gets its overdue day in the limelight. The stories of various original Ford GT survivors have been included, but most important of all, as many Ford GT drivers that could be found have been given their place on the Roll of Honor.

About this title

About the Author:

Adrian Streather was born on December 25th, 1958 in Basingstoke England, but is an Australian citizen. Adrian, a less than successful racing driver of Ford Escorts many years ago, has friends who actually drove the original Ford GT in competition. Listening to their stories created the desire to write something Ford GT -- however, it was after driving the new Ford GT on a European road trip which inspired this particular book. This is Adrian’s fourth book, but his first Ford GT book. Adrian lives in Walzenhausen, Switzerland with his wife of over 23 years, Gail, daughter Stephanie and son Jeremy.

 

 

Review:

Startline Magazine (UK), October 2006

“This book offers the reader a full historical review of one of Ford's iconic motor cars. The book explains how and why things happened the way they did. Interviews with the drivers and personalities behind all the different Ford GT develop programs are featured, offering their own views and experience of this successful motor car. Of course, the car's involvement in motor racing is covered with both the works and customer racing car programs featuring in depth detail and largely unseen photographs from Ford's archive.”

The British Racing Mechanics Club, March 2007 - by Basil Wales - UK  

When the Ford Motor Company re-launched the GT40 a few years back I was reminded of an enjoyable day at Silverstone very many years ago when I chanced upon the most stunningly smooth shaped GT car I had seen to that day, and hardly any have matched it since. That car was one of Eric Broadley’s most notable creations, the Lola MKVI GT. It really was only 40” high and it looked beautifully purposeful. 43 years later Adrian Streather has written a book titled ‘Ford GT, Then and Now’.

This book sets the record straight in terms of the true origination of the car Ford produced to challenge the supremacy of Ferrari in such internationally famous races as Le Mans and Sebring. Eric Broadley produced his glass-fibre prototype Lola MKVI GT early in 1963 with a low drag coupé body on a monocoque chassis with the radiator and suspension supported by a front subframe. The engine and Colloti transaxle were attached to the chassis, with the gearbox and rear bulkhead supporting the rear suspension which had a double wishbone design and coilover springs. The MKVI GT’s wheelbase was shorter than the Lola single-seater cars but was designed to accept the large Ford V8 engine. This prototype was never even fitted with an engine but was just used for show and concept purposes. The second car built featured an aluminium monocoque chassis and was the car used for racing, first at Silverstone in May 1963 and then the 1000km race at Nürburgring. A third car was built for the 1963 Le Mans where the last-minute nature of the preparation resulted in Eric Broadley driving the car all the way to the circuit and then being tasked by the scrutineers to make late changes all conspiring against the car, which suffered gearbox failure after 15 hours. A brave attempt in the short career of the Lola MKVI GT but the beginning of something very much bigger!

This very detailed book records how Ford set up a new Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV) subsidiary in Slough under John Wyer and Eric Broadley was brought in to assist with the design and prototype testing after Ford had bought two aluminium monocoque Lola MKVI GTs for inspiration and as the design base for their new car. Work began as early as August 1963 with the task to build 100 Ford GTs, no doubt for homologation purposes.

Adrian Streather has pulled in many contributors, from actual drivers, factory sources, photographers, clubs and commercial organisations. He has listed the history of many of the chassis numbers and the multitude of photographs will surely include some BRMC members in the days when they were in their prime as race mechanics. At $75 it is not cheap but for the GT40 enthusiast it will represent good value for the money and be a bible for the historian.

About this edition

• Publisher: Veloce Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1845840542
• ISBN 13: 9781845840549
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224