October 28th 2006
Mr. Mick Walsh
Editor in Chief
Classis & Sportscar Magazine
Teddington, UK.
Dear Mr. Walsh,
I usually like your column. Not this month. I write to take exception to your Ford GT piece in your “From the Cockpit” column in the October issue. Sadly, your glib assessment of the GT really misses the whole point of the car – and throws mud in the eye of a wonderful build team. In today’s risk averse world, this car was a major success, boldly created by a group of real enthusiasts and engineers. Regular car-guy and gal folk. Not Formula 1 automotive aristocrats. This car was conceived, designed and built from concept to reality in an unheard of short few years. The result was stunning. Stunning to look at, stunning to drive and a modern day American icon – paying deference to American ingenuity.
To compare the Ford GT to the $1.2 million dollar McLaren Supercar is a farce – with a very obvious pro-British bent. Yes the McLaren is a fabulous car – but you could have seven Ford GT’s for that kind of money and buy enough insurance to last a lifetime on all of them with the change.
Come on, McLaren didn’t even use their own engine! Ready made “drop in” from BMW. Right? Just like the Morgan Aero! Gordon Murray - the South African - I believe did the design work. What our guys did with a “truck engine” and a good parts list is remarkable. Please give credit where credit is due. This car was built with heart and soul and that comes through every push of the starter button, every rev and every bit of steering feedback.
Sadly, the Ford GT wasn’t designed for the narrow, crowded streets of London, Paris or Rome – that’s why you only got 128 of them. So to judge it on it's European traffic merits is’nt fair. Suggest you look into a Mini Cooper.
The GT is not a “European Car” but an American “tip of the hat” to the brilliant English AND American team that created the original. A standing ovation to Mr. Eric Broadly’s brilliant work – with the help of Carol Shelby. Don’t look at her as European – but as a sexy, shapely American – wearing blue jeans and pearls. She’d be just as comfortable at an oyster roast as fine dining at Sardi’s. And did I mention low maintenance? She's a gem - and we're darn proud of her.
Gordon King
Folly Beach,
South Carolina, USA.
GT Owner
Heritage # 1263
Mr. Mick Walsh
Editor in Chief
Classis & Sportscar Magazine
Teddington, UK.
Dear Mr. Walsh,
I usually like your column. Not this month. I write to take exception to your Ford GT piece in your “From the Cockpit” column in the October issue. Sadly, your glib assessment of the GT really misses the whole point of the car – and throws mud in the eye of a wonderful build team. In today’s risk averse world, this car was a major success, boldly created by a group of real enthusiasts and engineers. Regular car-guy and gal folk. Not Formula 1 automotive aristocrats. This car was conceived, designed and built from concept to reality in an unheard of short few years. The result was stunning. Stunning to look at, stunning to drive and a modern day American icon – paying deference to American ingenuity.
To compare the Ford GT to the $1.2 million dollar McLaren Supercar is a farce – with a very obvious pro-British bent. Yes the McLaren is a fabulous car – but you could have seven Ford GT’s for that kind of money and buy enough insurance to last a lifetime on all of them with the change.
Come on, McLaren didn’t even use their own engine! Ready made “drop in” from BMW. Right? Just like the Morgan Aero! Gordon Murray - the South African - I believe did the design work. What our guys did with a “truck engine” and a good parts list is remarkable. Please give credit where credit is due. This car was built with heart and soul and that comes through every push of the starter button, every rev and every bit of steering feedback.
Sadly, the Ford GT wasn’t designed for the narrow, crowded streets of London, Paris or Rome – that’s why you only got 128 of them. So to judge it on it's European traffic merits is’nt fair. Suggest you look into a Mini Cooper.
The GT is not a “European Car” but an American “tip of the hat” to the brilliant English AND American team that created the original. A standing ovation to Mr. Eric Broadly’s brilliant work – with the help of Carol Shelby. Don’t look at her as European – but as a sexy, shapely American – wearing blue jeans and pearls. She’d be just as comfortable at an oyster roast as fine dining at Sardi’s. And did I mention low maintenance? She's a gem - and we're darn proud of her.
Gordon King
Folly Beach,
South Carolina, USA.
GT Owner
Heritage # 1263
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