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.