Quote:
Originally Posted by hognutz
ford has always had a spoty history with racing and so has GM if look at the true historical record.
they get really focused for a time period acomplish a goal and then get out. The GT40 program is like that, the original boss program was like that, the Z28 camaro program was like that. The corvette program has been up and down lately but they are still in it.
were you look at a company like ferrari or something they have been all in every year no matter what. I think it is funny that somoen like ford can come in spend a couple years piss in there cheerio's then step out but they deffinatly are not in it for the long haul. allthough carrol shelby had alot to do with that. I mean his daytona coupe was actually faster than the gt40 but ford just kind of bought him out. that is a true amazing story right there his small team dominated the world for a year.
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After Ford/Shelby won the World GT Championship in 1965 (they'd have won in '64, too, if Ferrari hadn't finagled the cancellation of the last race), Shelby's efforts at Ford's decree were centered on the GT40 Program, leading to LeMans victories in '66 and '67.
The Ford GT40 and Shelby Daytona actually raced in
different Classes...and the GT40 was
faster...with less hp (350) initially than the Daytona's 380... Then, upgraded to the 427, the GT40 Mark IVs were legitimate 215+ mph machines, fully
30 mph faster than the less-aero Daytona, which was
25 mph faster than the non-aero Cobra Roadsters.
Ford GT40 specs, 1965 http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/d...=1004&i=2#menu
Shelby Daytona Coupe specs, 1965 http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/d...=9466&i=2#menu
Shelby's racing efforts, like his "production" cars, were underwritten by Ford. Without Ford, there likely would have been
NO Cobras. Remember, Shelby approached GM
first, and was turned down. Ray Brock, publisher of
Hot Rod Magazine, was the one who mentioned to "
Ol' Shel" the coming availability of an all-new Ford small-block V8...the 221
cum 260
cum 289... Shelby took his plan to Dearborn, and they said, "Yes"...and the rest is history...