RE: PH Heroes: Ford GT40

[Felix7]

MitchT said:

Felix7 said:

NiallOswald said:

Great write-up - out of interest, how come the gear lever is on the right? Easier linkage, or is it considered better for driving?

Most mid engined cars in the 60's including the Lola's were right hand gear change (rod linkage) not cable, given that the engine is right behind you. Its a dog leg first and a very postive change up and down.

I've always wondered why many racing cars have the gear change on the right - F1 cars did when they were fully manual. Surely most people are right-handed, so it would make sense to have their stronger arm connected to the steering wheel 100% of the time.

I do love 'boxes with a dog-leg first though. I can't understand why all proper drivers' cars don't have this - It's perfect for hammering forwards and backwards between 2nd and 3rd when you're blasting a long country lanes... Another reason why the older 'modern' Ferraris appeal to me.

As with the mid engined sports of the era, it was same problem as to where to route the gear linkage as the cable technology did not exist to allow that to be used as solution, hence the right hand in F1 cars

[Ravell]

Having driven for 3 years with the gearstick on the right (LHD cars in Holland) then the last 4 years with the gearstick in the brittish posittion. I have to say the gearstick on the right feels much more natural and the gerachanges are smoother and more precise. I've never found having only your left hand on the wheel for a split second is any real disadvantage.

[MitchT]

Felix7 said:

As with the mid engined sports of the era, it was same problem as to where to route the gear linkage as the cable technology did not exist to allow that to be used as solution, hence the right hand in F1 cars

Couldn't they just have made all of the relevant bits the other way round?

[Dazmonsta]

I wanted a '40 since I was a kid, and last August I managed to fulfil my dream with a Tornado TS40 replica. It is an awesome car to own - the noise of a very lightly silenced 5.0l V8 inches from your head is unbeleivable. Performance is spectacular, but as mentioned in the article, they are not the easiest of things to drive.

The biggest drawback is that everytime you park up or fuel up, an anorak who feels obliged to proove that he knows more about the car than it's owner is guaranteed to be checking the car out. I have been told about the famous 1,2,3 in 1966 more times than I can remember! I don't suppose I'll get much sympathy though....

DC

[toohuge]

Dazmonsta said:

The biggest drawback is that everytime you park up or fuel up, an anorak who feels obliged to proove that he knows more about the car than it's owner is guaranteed to be checking the car out. I have been told about the famous 1,2,3 in 1966 more times than I can remember! I don't suppose I'll get much sympathy though....

DC

This is what makes the car so great. A true PH hero, people (careful use of anorak as that is all of us on PH) want to admire the car and recognise its achievements. Few cars can match it in that respect.

[Felix7]

MitchT said:

Felix7 said:

As with the mid engined sports of the era, it was same problem as to where to route the gear linkage as the cable technology did not exist to allow that to be used as solution, hence the right hand in F1 cars

Couldn't they just have made all of the relevant bits the other way round?

Good question the answer is obvious in a wide sports car but you are correct in theory it could be either side in a single seater and was I guess, as I do not know single seaters that well.

Most of the transaxles have the gearchange mechanism on the right hand side of the box and it is complex to run them upside down.

[filski666]

ady_GTi said:

Went to a chaps garage in america and he had just bought one of the few remaining Lola MK6s that are left to restore it.





(Excuse the phone pictures)

The plan was to take it for goodwood once its finished, but i have no idea where its at now (pics were taken ~3 months ago)

going off the subject briefly - but look at that GORGEOUS Daytona Coupe in the photo! - Presumably not a real one? - Factory Five Racing in the states do an excellent replica of this...hmm one day when the kid doesn't take up all my time I'll have one of them........not as gorgeous as the GT40 or Cobra, true - but I can't fit in a GT40 and everyone has a Cobra replica (and I will never be able to afford real ones of either!)

[filski666]

Ravell said:

Having driven for 3 years with the gearstick on the right (LHD cars in Holland) then the last 4 years with the gearstick in the brittish posittion. I have to say the gearstick on the right feels much more natural and the gerachanges are smoother and more precise. I've never found having only your left hand on the wheel for a split second is any real disadvantage.

I agree, I was surprised when I got my first LHD car (after 10years driving RHD) how it felt much more natural changing gear with my right hand!

[S4E Jord]

filski666 said:

ady_GTi said:

PICS

going off the subject briefly - but look at that GORGEOUS Daytona Coupe in the photo! - Presumably not a real one? - Factory Five Racing in the states do an excellent replica of this...hmm one day when the kid doesn't take up all my time I'll have one of them........not as gorgeous as the GT40 or Cobra, true - but I can't fit in a GT40 and everyone has a Cobra replica (and I will never be able to afford real ones of either!)

Its not a Factory Five Coupe but they are gorgeous - i am slightly bias tho :P

[J111]

filski666 said:

look at that GORGEOUS Daytona Coupe in the photo! - Presumably not a real one?

It's a Superformance.

filski666 said:

Factory Five Racing in the states do an excellent [visually appealing, but abysmally engineered and manufactured] replica of this

FTFY

[Jack Pearson]

Whats the PH rating?

[turboman808]

One of the cars on my "To Get" list. Been drooling over the CAV GT for a year now. But it will have to wait a few more years. Next car is going to be a thunder ranch 550a replica with enough power and performance to challenge any new exotic car. Then a CAV GT is next.

[CelicaGT]

Excellent article and a great read! As much as I like the new Ford GT, it is nowhere near as cool as this car. I'd love to have one of these, and the fact that it shares 90% commonality with the originals makes it even more appealing for some reason. I also like the fact that this car is not "easy to drive by anyone" but rather requires some skill and concentration to drive well. Now, if I could just drive one of these beauties one day...

[Scho]

great write up..my mates dad owns this GTD rep:





AWSOME machine. turns many heads.

the hero of hero's so far i'd say?

[Boosted LS1]

ady_GTi said:

Went to a chaps garage in america and he had just bought one of the few remaining Lola MK6s that are left to restore it.





(Excuse the phone pictures)

The plan was to take it for goodwood once its finished, but i have no idea where its at now (pics were taken ~3 months ago)

Look at the blue car, bet Marcos looked at that or rather their designer was aware of it when he designed the TSO coupe with a tvr front end.

[dickkark]

fk the cars,they`ve got a dogst brown wheelie bin
No seriously,that Lola is fantastic,what an opportunity,given how rare these are.

[sprinter885]

About 5 years back I had the pleasure of sitting in a lovely Gunmetal original GT40 owned by a certain F1 team owner.
It had just 18miles on the clock which I think had only been done running up/down Goodwood hill a few times.

As article said the claustrophobic interior struck me (almost literally) and closeness of that V8 over left shoulder. The other thing was the immense width of the sill with the R/H gear lever in it. Extreme shorties & lankies would have trouble getting in one.

Sadly he wouldn't let me start it up

[layabout]

Always toyed with the idea of getting a good replica,i should fit at 6'3". Still one of the best looking cars,if not the best.

[Felix7]

Weather willing the car Ollie drove will be at the Connaught Street event not far from Lancaster Gate above Regents Park this evening between 1600 and 2100, as will several other pieces of rare metal including I believe F1 cars, Roary the Racing Car and Sir Stirling Moss.

Edited by Felix7 on Thursday 15th May 11:31

[sprinter885]

Felix7 said:

Weather willing the car Ollie drove will be at the Connaught Street event not far from Lancaster Gate above Regents Park this evening between 1600 and 2100, as will several other pieces of rare metal including I believe F1 cars, Roary the Racing Car and Sir Stirling Moss.

Edited by Felix7 on Thursday 15th May 11:31

First time I've seen Sir Stirling referred to as a "piece of rare metal" !!!

Edited by sprinter885 on Thursday 15th May 12:17