History of ford racing book

Furious, henry ford ii set out to beat ferrari at the greatest race on earth. Cammerthe real story of the legendary ford 427 sohc v8. Representing the old world was enzo ferrari, former motor racing driver and founder of his namesake marque. The thunderbolt became a ford racing icon, and the combination remains near the top of nhra super stock racing 45 years later. Apr 2, 2020 ford performance photos courtesy john clor help solve the mystery of fords 1966 midengine 2seater mustang. In early 1965, ford handed over a struggling ford gt racing program to carroll shelby and his band of hot rodders.

The history of amc motorsports from veteran racing journalist bob mcclurg covers it all, from a nashamerican motors corporate history, the first years of nascar, the 1960s efforts that included transam and drag racing super stock programs, to the craig breedlove land speed record efforts when 106 world records were shattered and covered by hot rod magazine. A racing history, 19011967 9780768006636 by levine, leo and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. A history of the ford motor company in australia hardcover edition. Ford motor company, american automotive corporation cofounded in 1903 by henry ford. Ford, ferrari, and their battle for speed and glory at le mans. Cammerthe real story of the legendary ford 427 sohc v8 mac. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite.

The boss 429 was a pushrod engine a semi hemi design and was available in production vehicles. A ford gt40 racing at the 1964 24 hours of le mans the high performance team included ford s roy lunn, who already developed a preliminary design in the gt program book, along with carroll shelby and a few other ford officials. The book is ultimately as much a eulogy to mechanicturnedracer ken miles and a sort of automotive citizen kane featuring henry ford ii and enzo ferrari as it is a history of the onandoff track battle between dearborn and maranello. The ford that beat ferrari a racing history of the gt40 third. It was powered by fords 260 engine, and later with a venerable 289 v8, and it pretty soon took the sports car world by a storm. A diversity of innovation american automobile racing has a centurylong history of grassroots invention. In 1965, the first shelbymade mustang raced onto the scene. Ford made the cammer widely available in the drag world, providing engine deals to nitro racers tom hoover, pete robinson, connie kallita, and a host of others. This book takes the racing fan through the rich history of the sport in north america from the 1800s right through 2000, decade by decade, with separate features on the sports biggest stars and informative and useful snapshots of the decade, such as. The early ford racing cars began when in 1901 henry ford built the woodenframed sweepstakes model powered by an 8. Jones foreword by jacky ickx this new edition of a classic book tells the story of the celebrated ford gt40 through a. Few subjects garner more passionate aficionados than classic cars. Aug 21, 2014 at that point ford said no thanks and dedicated the cammer to drag racing. Fact is, many owners of classic fords know more about their cars than even many historians.

I met with little success in its initial tune for the 1964 and 1965 le mans races. Later on, as more manufacturers chose hydraulic over mechanical brakes, bendix eventually purchased lockheeds hydraulic brake company, and so, gm switched to using. In many respects, the competition history of ford parallels the progress of auto racing in this country. Former racing driver and journalist levine describes events from henry ford s own victory at the 1901 detroit driving club race to the 1967 lemans triumph of a. With some help from ford motor company and a small team of mechanics, the first shelby cobra was introduced in 1962. The art of racing in the rain by garth stein, go like hell.

A racing history of the gt40 by jones, gordon and allen, john and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One of the worlds largest automakers, it manufactures passenger cars, trucks, and tractors as well as automotive parts and accessories. If you plan to see the film in november, consider this required reading. The engine never turned a lap in nascar competition.

Thompson was adamant he had advised pit officials, and in the hearing fords director of racing leo beebe threatened to withdraw all fords. But ford and general motors still used mechanical brakes. Once the book is in stock, it can be purchased online from this website. The range was powered by a series of americanbuilt ford v8 engines modified for racing. The book includes great ford racing stories such as the miller ford indy program, development of the gurneywestlake ford v8, and the 196270 ford total performance program, the transam racing. Wins rolex 24 hours of daytona overall with chip ganassi racing with felix sabates kanaan mcmurray larson dixon using ford ecoboost riley dp. It was effectively a prototype gt40 in all but name. A 1986 nhra hall of fame member, hubert platts lasting legacy on the sport cant be denied.

Fdr, detroit, and an epic quest to arm an america at war and go like hell. The games in the ford racing series center around racing modern and vintage ford cars and trucks through specifically designed tracks, while competing against computerdriven and sometimes playerdriven opponents. The first success came after their demise at the nassau speed weekend nov 1964 when the racing was handed over to carrol shelby. Ford racing is a racing video game series consisting of seven titles released for various platforms, including the playstation, playstation 2, personal computer pc and xbox. Cristea won the monte carlo rally driving a ford v8 flathead.

The ford motor company is an american automaker and the worlds fifth largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. The real history of ford isnt housed in some corporate museum its stored in your garages. Coastal 181 bookstore reading for racers motorsports books. This lavishly illustrated work walks readers through mustangs 50plus. Meanwhile, enzo ferrari lorded over the european racing scene, crafting. Originally published in 1968, this history chronicles the races, cars and personalities of ford auto racing.

Its history begins with the americaneuropean rivalry that characterized early auto racing and progresses to uniquely american forms of racing. Some forms of racing are dominated by big budgets and sophisticated engineering. Our favorite horse racing books americas best racing. Martyn schorr recounts detailed history of ford racing in ford total performance. Among his long list of titles are motorbooks chevy chevelle 50 years, the complete book of corvette, the complete book of classic dodge and plymouth muscle, and the complete book of ford mustang. A ford gt40 racing at the 1964 24 hours of le mans the high performance team included fords roy lunn, who already developed a preliminary design in the gt program book, along with carroll shelby and a few other ford officials. Ford vs ferrari the battle for supremacy at le mans 1966 by john starkey. Here is an early release view of the cover of the book. New ford gt book is the ultimate history of racings most. The dust and the glory was first published in 1968, leo levine was fresh from a career as a newspaperman highlighted by stints with the european edition of the stars and stripes and with the new york herald tribune and as a racing driver in europe and south america.

Henry ford ii, the deuce, wanted a race car capable of winning topflight sports car events in europe. The dust and the glory tells the inside story of ford s spectacular racing. Ford did not install the 427 in production fairlanes until 1966. Baime is the new york times bestselling author of the arsenal of democracy.

Henry ford july 30, 1863 april 7, 1947 was an american industrialist and business magnate. Aug 17, 2017 heres the real story behind the le manswinning ford gt40. Ford flathead v8 engine history many people mistakenly believe that the ford flathead v8 was the first v8 engine. It handled like a pig, wasnt very fast and as selfcentering steering hadnt yet been invented, the steering had to be manually unwound after every turn. Buy go like hell book online at low prices in india. An american love story written by pulitzer prize winner ira. As tiddly as the firm was, its racing car was the right configuration, had an aluminium body, and used a ford v8. Ford prepared to make an offer, but ferrari changed its mind.

Ford that beat ferrari a racing history of the ford gt40. It proved to be extremely popular until the overhead valve engines arrived and was the first v8 readily available to the masses, but it was not the first. By the fifties, america was moving firmly past the second world war and into an era of unprecedented prosperity. Ford promoted the cammers to the drag racing set with success as well as lemans ford went back to the drawing board and developed the boss 429 to compete in nascar against the hemis. Carl riottes standard, powered by a 6cylinder 110horsepower standard motor, won history s first gold cup at a speed of 23 miles per hour. Morris has written the definitive book covering the members of the ford drag council and drag team of the 1960s, perhaps the most important decade in ford performance history. Its arguably the most famous string of american racing victories in the history of the sport, creating a legacy around the ford gt still celebrated by vintage car buffs, sports car fans and, or. To ford, that meant beating ferrari in the worlds most prestigious car race, the 24 hours of le mans, which the prancing horse had historically dominated. A closer look carroll shelby and ken miles, the reallife racing legends played by matt damon and christian bale. History of stock car racing, moonshine, muscle cars youtube. Winning both international endurance races at daytona and sebring. And the guy i had read about in historical documents and in the dust and the glory, the book about fords racing history written by leo levine. A century later, the fabled gold cup remains power boatings most coveted prizethe crown jewel of unlimited hydroplane racing.

A lifetime car enthusiast, mueller has written and photographed more than 25 automotive and truck history books and contributed photography to at least that many more. This book is the first book of its kind to publish showing the history of allegany county racing and the area race tracks. Heres the real story behind the le manswinning ford gt40. In 1909, a ford model t won a transcontinental crosscountry race of about 3,600 km from new york to seattle. List of books and articles about ford motor company online. The history of the cobra jet comes back to life by showcasing the vast array of ford and mercury iron that could be ordered with this performance option, including. The virgin australia supercars championship formally australian touring car championship is the premier motorsport category in australasia and one of australias biggest sports. The racing history of the australian ford falcon gtho. Only the mk iv model was designed and built in the united states. A visual history of canam, the greatest racing series ever. Globally, it is recognised as the best touring car category in the world and a. Take a walk through time as cjs looks at some significant moments in the history of the ford mustang.

A brief history of ford racing anderson ford motorsport. With its deep pockets and broadbased racing program, ford had access to just about anybody it wanted. History of the shelby cobra shelby cobra hemmings motor news. History of racemasters and history of russkit this is a work in progress with more stories and photos to be added in the months to come. Performance vehicles, performance parts, enthusiasts, and racing series around the world. Pictured on the back cover of the book is the lategreat driver, dean layfield. According to many, it is the only vehicle that really earned the title pony car.

Nov 11, 2015 the racing history of the australian ford falcon gtho. From senna to earnhardt how the hans device helped save racing by jonathan ingram with dr. Classic motorsportsthis oversized book is a photodriven look at fords voluminous racing history in america. Ferrari dino 206 246 gt gts tipo history racing photo engine japanese book. Gm, by the mid1930s, went to bendix hydraulic brakes and got offered fourwheel drive mechanical braking system. In short, henry ford ii wanted to see a ford car competing in the 24 hours of le mans, which was and remains a famous sports car race with a particular focus on endurance racing. Rapid response my inside story as a motor racing lifesaver by dr. New ford gt book is the ultimate history of racings most unlikely. The story of thoroughbred racing in america, by mary simon.

Jun 11, 2018 its arguably the most famous string of american racing victories in the history of the sport, creating a legacy around the ford gt still celebrated by vintage car buffs, sports car fans and, or. The book includes great ford racing stories such as the miller ford. Most of the combustion chamber is in a dished piston, where the mating cylinder head face is nearly flat. Both book collectors and automotive enthusiasts recognize the cultural and historical significance of vintage maintenance manuals, promotional pamphlets, serious analyses of the automotive industry in its infancy, and riveting biographies of early race car drivers and the cars they drove. A brief history of unlimited hydroplane racing hydroplane. The ford gt40 is a highperformance endurance racing car. Their first job was to identify a team that could build the cars. Formula fords were the starting class for a lot of famous race car drivers including michael andretti. This rich history begins with the 1901 race in which henry ford defeated alexander winton in a 10lap race on a onemile oval at the detroit driving club and covers racing through today. The ford gt40 came into existence because of one mans grudge.

The complete history of the ford mustang cj pony parts. Chrysler was founded by walter chrysler on june 6, 1925, when the maxwell motor company est. British racing and sports car maker lotus had been working on developing a twin cam version of the ford kent engine, both in 997cc and 1,340cc configurations. A photographic history of ford motorsports larry edsall on. Ken miles was the first to race it to victory, but the gt350 dominated the competition for the next three years. We were putting together a celebratory event to mark the 110 th anniversary of henry fords first race and victory on oct. Needless to say, this early effort wasnt exactly successful. Ford motor company would go on to become one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world, as well as being one of the few to survive the great depression. Jul 28, 2019 on this day in 1978, ford motor company chairman henry ford ii fires lee iacocca as fords president, ending years of tension between the two men born to an immigrant family in pennsylvania in. The book covers the story behind ford and ferrari rivalry, the gt40 program and its development, early teething problems, and ultimately dominance at le mans in the latter half of the 1960s. In the early 1960s, ferrari made it known that their sports car company might be for sale. American racing national museum of american history.

The book includes great ford racing stories such as the miller ford indy program, development of the gurneywestlake ford v8, and the 196270 ford total performance program, the transam racing program, the nascar racing program, the rich ford drag racing history, landspeed record fords, the shelby programs. Based in dearborn, michigan, a suburb of detroit, the automaker was founded by henry ford, on june 16, 1903. The 352 and 410 were dropped after 1966, and the 390 and 428 continued as the only fe engines in passengercar production from 1968 through 1970. Very soon, he contacted ac cars and they sent him an engineless body to his shop in california. Sep 24, 2018 the original ford cortina was designed by american roy brown jr. While the mustang has gone through many changes from its debut in april 1964 to the current generation of mustangs, the ford mustang is an american icon. Ford gt40 production and racing history individual chassis. The mk i, mk ii, and mk iii variants were designed and built in england based upon the british lola mk6. The production 427 fairlanes from 1966 and 1967 are both very rare and very competitive cars, with a solid racing history. Garth stein, new york times bestselling author of the art of racing in the rain.

Read why ford had always been a presence on the nascar circuit since the days of racing on the beach, brought to you by the experts at mustang and fords magazine. The ford motor company, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, is based in dearborn a suburb of detroit, michigan. The entire history of americas original pony car, in its full glory. Ford drag team ford expert and veteran drag racing author charles r. This oversized book is a photodriven look at ford s voluminous racing history in america. From henry ford s own victory at the october 1901 detroit driving club race to the 1967 lemans triumph of a. Whether he was launching his falcon with the door open, conducting a ford drag team seminar, or setting a national record at the 1967 us nationals in his fairlane, platts imprint on drag racing was allencompassing. Ford gt40 production and racing history individual chassis record second revised edition by trevor legate isbn.

In just a few short months, shelby american had transformed the ford gt from a corporate loser to instant winner. Oct 25, 2016 a visual history of canam, the greatest racing series ever. Ford introduced its v8 flathead engine into mass production, two mechanics driving a ford special win the swedish grand prix, and ionel zamfirescu and p. It was the first massproduced car that was officially ready for the racetrack as it was approved by the sports car club of america for class b production racing. Jun 06, 2011 history of stock car racing, moonshine, muscle cars. And as a result, a lot of high performance ford fe engines history was written in a very short time. The 1930s brought some important developments for ford racing. Selection of books covering the australian ford car marque, individual models, motorsport and.