The Legend of the Ford GT40: Engineering Triumph & Racing Legacy

This episode of The Logbook features author Preston Lerner discussing his book 'Ford GT: How Ford Silenced the Critics, Humbled Ferrari, and Conquered Le Mans.' Lerner delves into the history, engineering, and racing legacy of the Ford GT40, beginning with Ford's ambition in the 1960s to beat Ferrari at Le Mans after a failed acquisition attempt. He covers the development of the GT40, the cultural clash between American and British engineers, and early racing struggles. The episode highlights key figures like Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, and Dan Gurney, who contributed to the car's eventual success. The narrative climaxes with Ford's strategic victories at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967, changing the paradigm of factory-backed racing efforts. Accompanied by first-hand anecdotes and historical insights, the episode underscores Ford's relentless pursuit of automotive excellence.

This episode was originally recorded in 2017 at International Motor Racing Research Center and has been remastered for this podcast.

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00:00 The Legacy of the Ford GT 01:07 Welcome and Speaker Introduction + Don Caps' Remarks 03:48 Preston Lerner Takes the Stage 04:55 The Birth of the Ford GT40 05:24 Ford's Racing Strategy 06:19 The Ferrari Negotiations 08:25 The GT40 Development 13:06 Challenges and Early Races 16:42 Shelby American's Involvement 21:45 The 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours 30:25 The Controversial Dead Heat Finish 35:05 Post-Race Reactions and Ford's Future Plans 36:22 The 1967 Season and Ferrari's Challenge the 330 P4 39:36 The Tragic Testing of the J-Car 40:53 The Mark IV's Triumph at Le Mans 1967 46:29 Ford's Exit and Legacy in Racing 47:45 Q&A Session and Closing Remarks

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This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family.