OT researching the GT40 production

[DivineE]

It seems I've set myself a harder task than I first thought. I'm looking for technical information about how the original GT40 was designed/put together to compare with the advancements over the last 38 years that allowed the new Ford GT to be produced in just 15 months from nothing more than a CAD sketch to a road worthy car.

There is a world of on line information available about the original GT40 but it seems no one is remotely interested in the technical bits of how the car was designed, where they were built, the factory, technology or the methods.

I figured many of the top men involved were English and the UK enthusiast world is a small one so someone here may know someone who was involved or something about it?

p.s. for those who just clicked on the thread because they saw 'GT40' you'll probably like this clip. One of my favourite films fifth gear have ever made. Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBL_TRqcc3Y

 

[zcacogp]

I can't help, but let us know what you find out. It remains on my 'Like to own' list ... (along with a D-type, RS200, UR Quattro, BMW 328, RS2 and a Caterham.)


Oli.

 

[DivineE]

The 328 seems a tad out of place on that list?

 

[zcacogp]

Sigh! []

Oli.

 

[djone101]

Ben,

There are a number of good books on the subject - most of them expensive. One that comes to mind is "Ford GT Then and Now" by Adrian Streather http://www.amazon.com/Ford-GT-Then-Now/dp/1845840542
I'm lucky enough to work at a place where we have examples of both GT40 and Ford GT in the workshop right now, so if you have any specific questions let me know....

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: djone101
I'm lucky enough to work at a place where we have examples of both GT40 and Ford GT in the workshop right now, so if you have any specific questions let me know....

You
Jammy
So-and-so!

Maldon in Surrey? Do you do workshop tours?


Oli.

 

[DivineE]

Excuse my ignorance... especially as I believe I saw one at the BMW museum the week before last. Ops

The M1 remains the only classic BMW for me though, the sound just melted me every time I heard it go past at Classic Le mans this year. Perfect perfect engine sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klsgb1B2Wo4&feature=related

 

[djone101]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

ORIGINAL: djone101
I'm lucky enough to work at a place where we have examples of both GT40 and Ford GT in the workshop right now, so if you have any specific questions let me know....

You
Jammy
So-and-so!

Maldon in Surrey? Do you do workshop tours?


Oli.

No - Maldon in Essex, where the salt comes from, though the workshop's in Brentwood - happy to show you round if you're in the area Oli.

 

[DivineE]

ORIGINAL: djone101

Ben,

There are a number of good books on the subject - most of them expensive. One that comes to mind is "Ford GT Then and Now" by Adrian Streather http://www.amazon.com/Ford-GT-Then-Now/dp/1845840542
I'm lucky enough to work at a place where we have examples of both GT40 and Ford GT in the workshop right now, so if you have any specific questions let me know....

Wow fantastic thank you! What a place you must work at. The information I need is more about the design / production of the cars than the finished articles (unfortunately), I'm looking into the manufacturing differences and how rapid prototyping can speed up the change from drawing to finished components.

I will search for that book rather than buy it in case it doesn't have the details I need but a great start cheers.

 

[edh]

Isn't the original effectively a Lola design that was gradually developed by Ford, rather than a car designed from scratch? I'm not sure it had a particularly long genesis

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Lola designed and built the GT40. It was a development of the earlier Sports racing Lolas, using all their fast improving knowledge, but with a steel rather than aluminium tub - dont think Ford trusted the new fangled metal! (But steel was cheaper)
Would start by looking up Lola histories.

Mike

 

[Eldavo]

There is a place on the Team Valley in Gateshead that produces/assembles/sells the South African replicas. Might be worth dropping them a line and seeing what/who they know.

 

[TTM]

My father had a 328 (well before things went downhill, having a family and all that []), thought he had upgraded when he went for a 327/28 which turned out to be the worst piece of car he had ever owned, as he likes to recall.
328s now sell for a good £100K, don't they?

 

[GlennS]

Alan Mann (of Alan Mann Racing, Byfleet) while notionally a "privateer" was pretty much responsible for running the Ford Touring Car programme in the 60s/70s and was also involved in the GT 40 programme (he ran some at Le Mans) as well as the (unsuccessful) successor to the GT40 the Ford F3L, one of which he still owns. Alan is still around and runs cars in historic meetings such as the Top Hat Masters series. He may well be able to provide some insights.

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Lola designed and built the GT40. It was a development of the earlier Sports racing Lolas

Correct, specifically the GT40 was a development of the Ford powered Lola GT Mk6.

 

[DivineE]

Excellent advice chaps. Many leads to follow thanks to all [] I had got as far as discovering it was based on a three year old Lola chassis bought by ford in '63, Lola does seem a good starting point.

p.s. switching from aluminium to steel

only the Americans 'If it aint steel it aint real'

 

[sawood12]

I'm sure I saw a documentary on the concept, design and development of the new GT. Can't remember if it was something on Discovery channel or terrestrial TV, but it was a whole documentary on the subject. Can't remember anything specific about it but it did follow the small design team over the period from its original concept on paper right through to the finished article. Sorry I can't remember the name of the programme or which channel it was on but you might be able to find reference to it.

 

[DivineE]

Got that already thank you. Yes it was on discovery. Brushed over the manufacture though.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Thinking more I believe most GT40 were made by JW Automotive - John Wyler(?) somewhere Bournemouth way.

About 103 produced and 6 or 7 tubs for the inevitable re-shells, did read a book (very dry) listing all chassis nos and history up to the mid eighties when I read it.

Bits keeping popping to mind!

Mike

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Lola designed and built the GT40. It was a development of the earlier Sports racing Lolas, using all their fast improving knowledge, but with a steel rather than aluminium tub - dont think Ford trusted the new fangled metal! (But steel was cheaper)
Would start by looking up Lola histories.

Mike

This is what I was scrolling down to say. The GT40 is very similar to the existing Lola Mk.6; and Ford contracted Eric Broadley from Lola to lead the development (re-devolpment really, which involved fitting a blue oval etc []).