Shelby American working with Ford on the GT-40? - Page 2

Tony Ripepi · #21 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 03:08 PM

Hi Guys,

This months Motor Trend has a small picture of Carroll and talks about his endorsement and participation the the Ford-GT project.

At what level and detail as they say...

"What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas"

Tony R.

decooney · #22 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 05:12 PM

Let's see if the pot can be stirred a bit more....

Sunday I was at Laguna Seca, walked around the back of the Shelby trailer, Carroll was hidden sitting in his golf kart with just two others standing there... hint, hint.... I introduced myself and talked with him for about a minute. He was talking there for about ten minutes with two employees from a fairly well known GT40 replica manufacturer. I have it all on film, and won't say who it was, but it sure captured my attention. Can't say what was said, but I can tell you the manufacturer he was talking to was there at Laguna Seca on Sunday for the Monterey Historics.

Also, while he was there, I heard from a reliable source onsite that he was not allowed to sign autographs for the foundation (who was unhappy about that) because Ford said so for that weekend, while he was supposedly on the clock for Ford. Interesting... Only time will tell if anything was brewing here or not.

... it was an eventful weekend for sure, and especially those 3.5 laps the Shelby club took on the track.

daltondavid · #23 (**permalink**) 10-18-2003, 04:48 PM

So now the Cat is out of the Bag. Shelby was in on the GT 40 otherwise really known as the GT. Apparently some guy in OHIO Copyrighted the name GT- 40 ! Word has it that Ford gave him the First "GT" to use their Name!! Anyway I am anxious like the rest of you at seeing the What is now believed to be the 05 Shelby!

Excaliber · #24 (**permalink**) 10-18-2003, 08:52 PM

I understood the GT-40 name was owned by some foriegn corporation and offered to sell it back to Ford for a VERY high price. Ford decided to just go with GT and let it go at that.

I have no clue about the Ohio connection. Sounds like an urban legend shaping up......

Ernie

427sharpe · #25 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 12:31 AM

Remember that the ORIGINAL design was called "Ford GT". The "GT 40" moniker came later so they could put some distance between the original Lola design (Eric Broadley) and the 'new'
car after the humiliations of the first outing when the GT was rushed to LeMans without proper development. It would be odd to call the new car GT40 when it's almost 45" tall, and it would dilute the 'halo' value, IMHO.
As for the new Shelby/Ford Mustang.....there are rumors floating about the Ford group that the V10 one off they dubbed Boss351 has some very interesting potential........I believe they tested the car in a recent Motor Trend, as did AutoWeek. IF FoMoCo has the cajones to put out something even close to the Boss 351 concept under the GT350 moniker it would be one heck of a car, maybe the best Mustang EVER, and just in time for the 40th anniversary of the GT350. It would be nice for Ford to get ONE of the Mustang anniversaries right! Looks like it's gonna be hard to decide where to spend the car cash pretty soon...........

Mark IV · #26 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 06:47 AM

no urban legend. Bod Wood of Safir GT in Ohio does indeed own the "GT40" trademark. Over the years it seems that Ford never trademarked the name..of course they never expected to use it!

Wood allegedly wanted 10 mill for the name. Ford alledgedly offered a mill and three new GTs. Wood counter offered and Ford said "See Ya"

Ergo, the new car is "Ford GT"

Rick

Bill Wells · #27 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 07:04 AM

yep, mr mark iv, according to published reports you are right on. of course the new gt car i believe is 44" high so they could have called it the GT 44, no? the new car is getting rave reviews in the car mags. look for corvette to counter with a high hp version most likely in their C6 when it comes out. i have seen the gt concept car and the 3 prototype gt pre production cars (same mag test cars i believe) several times and they are nicely done. not my style, not my budget. guess i will stick with the topless cars in a more affordable $ range ..or the new Superformance coupe interests me too. the new Ford GTs' will bring big bucks when they hit the streets, limited production per year and limited total life cycle production of 4500 or fewer units. many dealers will never even get one. many dealers will tuck theirs away . collectors will try to hoard them. in time, prices will come down as dealers lower their 'over msrp' pricing. til then , i will enjoy the wind in the hair, or drive my other cars for creature comforts on days i want a top up, windows up and heater to stay toasty and roasty. or wait 4 yrs and buy one used for 100k. bill

Don · #28 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 08:02 AM

From AutoWeek

By AUTOWEEK

Ace in the hole

A carbon fiber-bodied AC Ace with U.S.-supplied power will be the first fruit of the recently announced alliance between Carroll Shelby and British nameplate AC (AW, Oct. 6). Rolling chassis of the two-seaters with steel-tube space frames will be shipped to the States, where Shelby’s engineers will install an engine and gearbox, mirroring the deal that created the original Cobra. This time around, though, the rolling chassis will be built on the Mediterranean island of Malta, where AC is due to open a satellite factory Nov. 15.

Mark IV · #29 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 09:05 AM

AC enters the fray
It ain't gonna happen folks...

Also, Shelby's engineers cannot install the engine and trans if the intend to resell the Ace. As the car does not meet any DOT/EPA specs they, like any component car can't be sold as a "turn-key" car.

Rick