Ford GT Forum wishes Fred Goodnow a happy retirement


dbk

dbk

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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,263
Metro Detroit
Many of you met Fred at the Rally in Detroit. He was the Design and Launch manager for the FGT project. I worked closely with Fred for months planning the Rally and it was a pleasure. You could tell no one was more excited or proud to see the fruits of their labor than Fred, and after a 30+ year career at the blue oval, it was a fitting final project. At the dinner at the C.E.C, I was happy to hear Fred say, this was one of "the best days of his life".

If anyone would like to pass on well wishes to Fred, you can post them here and we will pass them on next Friday at his retirement party.

:cheers to Mr. G :cheers
 
FRED, MY FRIEND,ANOTHER BEGINING AND MEMORIES FOR ALL OF US LUCKY GT OWNERS FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES AND THEN SOME.:thumbsup IN MY EYES WHEN SOMEONE SAYS GT YOU COME TO MIND FIRST, BECAUSE OF YOU IT PROBABLY WOULDNT EVEN POSSIBLE. ENJOY !!!! SEE YOU SOON :wink AND HOPEFULLY AT INDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GTJOEY 1314 AND LOVING THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE ONLY WITH THIS GROUP!!:thumbsup
 
Best to you in the future Fred. Thanks for filling my garage with special toys. You and the team around you have something to be proud of for the rest of your lives. What a high note to go out on! Enjoy your retirement! :cheers
 
Fred

From the owners of the best American car ever built, congratulations and thanks.

I met you and know you are proud of the star of a long career. You should be.

AZGT (times two)
 
When I was 8 years old I saw the GT40 (on TV) for the first time and I told my Mom & Dad; One of these days I'd like to get one. They said work hard and you will. Well, all the hard work paid off, but without your dedication Fred, I would have never realized my dream. Thank you, good luck and happy retirement..:cheers
 
Dear Fred,
Thanks for all what you have accomplished. May your retirement be enjoyable, fruitfull and healthy.
God Bless you, yours and America,
daniel s bonyhadi
#1153
 
Fred

Fred,

Thanks for all you did to make us a bunch of Happy Car Nuts! What a thrill to end your career with the likes of the GT in your back pocket. Especially since you were there right from the beginning. As you saw from the rally – we are forever grateful to you and the Team. :thumbsup

If you ever find yourself in the Charleston, South Carolina area, (many of Detroit’s Auto retirees seem to have found us) please look me up. It would be my privilege to show you our historic city and feed you and yours, full of shrimp, crab and oysters. Fresh off the dock if you like!

By the way – your autograph graces one of the stays in my engine compartment.

Best of luck and all good wishes…:cheers

Gordon “Gordo” King
Charleston, SC
843-308-0994
 
Fred, it was a true pleasure meeting you at the GT rally in Dearborn and experiencing all of the things that went into the building of the finest car I've ever owned and the dream come true of a guy in his mid-50's. They say you can't go back and re-live your life, but this vehicle has certainly brought back a real sense of boyishness and excitement to me. I want to personally thank you for signing my car - you are the only one who personalized it with a "To Frank" and, without sounding like a girlie man (knowing the guys on this Forum) I will cherish it till the day I die. I wish you all the best in retirement, and please remember how many of us are your fans.

Thank you

Frank J. Pikul, M.D.
 
Fred,

Thanks for a GREAT CAR. For the perserverance to see the project through!! You were very gracious at our meet in Detroit last summer. Telling us about the project, the GT year book, and always ready to sign our memorabilia and cars. Meeting you and feeling your enthusiam (as well as the other great Ford people involved in the GT project) make owning the car even more special!! Good luck in your retirement, Hope to see you at future GT meets! (or Ferrari for that matter hope the GTC is doing well!)

Gene Cassone
 
All the best.....

Fred,

Thank you from Chip & Charley Beck, '06 #0589. You were most gracious to us at the Rally and have created the most beautiful car that has ever been built. When we smash our heads into the corner of the door we call it a Gurney. From now on when I push the red button I will think of the startup growl as the "Goodnow". That growl says, "No excuses, get it done now, this is serious, tomorrow's too late, let's kick some ass!!" Your heart and soul radiate from these artworks that are cherished by their owners and scattered all across the globe. You have accomplished something most men only dream about Fred, and it's made you immortal. All the best, from your #1 fan.

Chip
 
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To The “FRED GT”

Fred,

As you told me at the Rally, “You know there just aren’t that many of us Fred’s around, so we got to stick together”.

I want to thank you for your many contributions to the success of the Ford GT Program. These machines, which we all now enjoy, have a little of your “SPIRIT” with each of them. As a result of your energy, determination, and hard work; we owners have one of the finest automobiles ever produced.

We shall be forever grateful.

Best to you in your retirement.

Enjoy The Ride.

Thank You,

Fred Smith
’06 #0630

ps: Your personalized autograph in my engine bay makes me smile.

 

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Fred best wishes for you and yours in retirement. One hell of a car you built, and a crowning jewel to leave on.:cheers
 
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Fred, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You. You built my dreamcar, and it is has made me a happy man. Have some fun in your retirement. If you're ever in Southern California, look me up, and my wife and I will take you to dinner. My office is two blocks from the Ford building in Irvine. :thumbsup
David Boggess
[email protected]
 
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Fred,

Thanks for all your hard work in making the Ford GT a reality. I immigrated to the US in 1968 as an 8 yr old kid. My favourite car at that time was the GT-40. I had all the cereal box models of the Gulf GT-40's. Now almost 40 years later I was able to fulfill my dream of owning a GT. They say that the toys only get bigger as we get older, and this is one hell of an iconic "supertoy". Thanks for making this happen for all us car nuts. I wish you the best of health and happiness in your retirement. You leave your career at it's pinnacle with the Ford GT project.

Best wishes,

Ajai Cadambi, M.D.
Fort Worth, TX
2005 White/Blue #421
 
Fred,

What can I say but WOW, great effort by you and everyone involved! What a hell of a way to end a career. Enjoy your retirement in good health my friend. Hope to meet you someday.

Jeff Hackmann
06 #899
 
Fred,
What an achievement !!! You have made not only your dream come true ,but a dream for all the GT owners.And I thank you for that .I shall enjoy your dream and mine for the rest of my life!!
Wish you the very best of luck .
Ron
 
Fred, congrats on your "semi" retirement. As little as I know of you, I feel it won't be long before your into something else. You and the team built a great car and deserve the accrediation of the task. It was great to meet you in Detroit on the trip my son and I will never forget.

Enjoy, relax and we look forward to seeing you at Indy!

Mike
 
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Thank you. You made dreams come true for many of us. When I first saw the gt documentary on the discovery channel, I thought to myself ... there is one heck of an individual. When I had the priviledge of meeting you in person, I knew I was right.

Manny 2005 #1418
 
Thanks Fred. You helped make a lot of Dreams come true !! Happy retirement !!! You're going out on a High note for sure !!!!
 
Thanks Fred...from Andy Benedict

Fred...thanks for being a great Ford Motor Company Co-worker and for putting your time and effort into such a cool creation. I very much appreciate the time you took to give me the tour of Saleen in Troy and then of Wixom so I could personally see my car being built last year. Thanks also for all the time you spent with us at the GT Rally last summer..
The best of luck to you and the family in whatever you make your next 'career'. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance and keep me updated on your whereabouts..

andy benedict ....AJB Blue and White 2006 #0541
 
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