Ford GT: How Ford Silenced the Critics, Humbled Ferrari and Conquered Le Mans
In 1963, Enzo Ferrari let it be known that he might be willing to sell his firm. Ford Motor Company, looking to upgrade its image, sent emissaries to Italy to arrange a corporate marriage between the two automakers. But after laborious negotiations, Ferrari got cold feet, and Ford was left standing at the altar. Henry Ford II - the autocratic CEO known as the Deuce - took the rebuff as a personal insult. "If that's the way he wants it, we'll go out and whip his ass," he growled. Thus began the biggest and most expensive assault on Le Mans the sport had ever seen.
Because support for program came from the top of the corporate totem pole, Ford lavished unprecedented resources on the groundbreaking Ford GT. Only the best would do - the best drivers, the best designers, the best engineers, the best team managers. The cast of characters included legends such as Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Phil Remington, Ken Miles, John Wyer, A.J. Foyt, John Holman, Bruce McLaren, Eric Broadley and Phil Hill. Ford GTs finished 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 1966 and followed up that win with an even-more-dominant all-American victory the next year. Ford GT40s also won Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. By the time the Deuce retired from sports car racing, he had indeed whipped Ferrari's ass. In so doing, Ford also established the template that's been used ever since by just about every manufacturer that's created a big-time factory racing program.
Ford GT: How Ford Silenced the Critics, Humbled Ferrari and Conquered Le Mans celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ford's historic sweep of the podium in 1966. Author Preston Lerner details the program's progress from ground zero to the pinnacle of the motorsports world. The book covers the personalities and the politics as well as the technical nuances of the bad-boy V-8-powered prototypes that changed the face of road racing. Meanwhile, Shelby American and Ford Motor Company photographer Dave Friedman's iconic images bring the cars and the people who raced them to life.
Reviews (56)
Excellent History on Ford GT
This is a big book with lots of pictures telling the true story of Ford's desire to beat and success in beating Ferrari at Le Mans in 1965 & 1966. It's big so hard to hold and read. May need to read it resting on a table. It provides insight into racing, in general, how people recognize and handle challenges so there is a broader educational thing going on here. For me, the min-1960s do not seem that long ago but it was almost 55 years and reading tis story tells you also a little about how auto technology has advanced and how much trial & error was a part of technological development even 55 years ago. This is a good read if you are interested in the Ford GT or automobile development in general.
A very good book for readers wanting to learn the story and politics behind the Ford GT.
I have about every book written about the Ford GT, both factual and in fiction. There is very little that I don't know about the Ford GT and the story of how it materialized. Yet, I really enjoyed this book. For anyone that wasn't around during the Ford GT years, this is the book to read to get up to speed. And for the people like me, it still is good reading. I learned some from the book and it brought back a lot of facts that have faded from my memory. I highly recommend this book.
Eyecatching, informative book. Great addition to one's automotive library.
Delivered on time as promised, new in original plastic wrapper. Pleased with book, the text, photos, cover, etc. However I am once again upset at the lackluster packaging Amazon affords my purchases, even after I have repeatedly requested for more care. This book arrived with absolutely no protection other that the box it arrived in,...loosely bouncing around to dent the upper book corners. Crushed construction paper would have alleviated this at minimal cost. I will keep this in mind in any future purchases from Amazon.
Most complete history of the Ford GT
Very interesting and informative. Covers the entire Ford GT program from start to finish, why they started the program, why they ended the program and how they did it. This actually is a large picture book with an accompanying story. My only complaint is that the pictures sometimes don't match with the story on certain pages, but it is a very complete history and it includes quotes and interviews which were new to me. This is the most complete history of the Ford GT and it answered several questions that had nagged at me for many years. If you were a big fan of the Ford GT-40, MK. II and MK. IV like I was then you will enjoy this book.
Very good book!
As the owner of a 2019 Ford Mustang GT (yes, with 6-speed lol) I promise you will enjoy this book if you like Fords, Shelby, racing or racing history! The author does a really good job explaining the history of Lemans and Ford vs. Ferrari. The movie is good of course but the book has much more depth and facts and is at least as exciting to me. Get this book! You will enjoy it for sure.
Authoritative Account
Fascinating and detailed account of this effort by Henry Ford II to embarrass Enzo Ferrari at his own game. A wealth of photographs, and a lot of biographical info on the principals involved, the ones who made it happen. A highly recommended read.
Very enjoyable book. I learned a lot
Great read on the background between Ford and Ferrari. Many period photos in the factory, pits, racing and testing. If you’re a car development fan or racing fan this is an enjoyable book.
A good addition to my GT40 library
A good addition to my GT40 library, unfortunately though, as expected there are too many photos seen before published in the other GT40 books.
Good book - great
I liked this book, I actually bought it as a birthday present for myself. And I’m pleased with the present I received. Great pictures of the sixties cars And interesting well written story. I look forward to the Ford vs Ferrari movie coming in a few weeks.
Above an Beyond
The book was everything that I wanted and was in great condition. There was a lot of good information and history covered in the book. I truly enjoyed ever page of this publication.
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