From the category archives:

Ford

Ford GT – The Best Sports Car Ever?

August 22, 2010

By: Bobby Webb

Many people say YES!

When we think of Ford, we usually think of Mustangs, Thunderbirds, and F150 Pickup Trucks but if you are a racing fan you may include the Ford GT in your thoughts.  The Ford GT that was manufactured during 2005 and 2006 was created based on the design of the Ford GT40 race car which won the Lemans race in 1966.  This proved to the world that Ford could build a car that could beat the best race cars in the world.  Not only did the Ford GT win the LeMans, it won the first three positions.

All of us know that the Ferrari, Prosche, and Lamborghini are great automobiles but if you compare them to the Ford GT there are reasons for one to think that the Ford GT just may be  the Best Sports Car Ever!  In its price range, it certainly has to be considered one of the best.

The mid-mounted 5.4 L modular V8 engine  is all-aluminum with a Lysholm twin screw-type supercharger.  It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the GT program. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit low in the car’s frame. The DOHC 4-valve heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads). The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500  or the SVT Cobra.  Power output is 550 hp and 500 ft-lbf of torque. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a limited-slip differential.

The Ford GT performance is outstanding. The results are 0-60 mph; 3.3 seconds, 0–100 mph; 7.4 seconds, 0-150 mph; 16.9 seconds, standing 1/4 mile; 11.2 seconds @ 131.2 mph, and a top speed: of 205 mph.  I would say these numbers are fantastic.

The GT features 18-inch front wheels, 19-inch rear wheels and GoodYear Eagle F1 Supercar tires.

I believe the Ford GT is as good as any sports car or muscle car ever built.  I also believe it is the best ever built in its price range.  No matte what your thoughts are, I would think that the Ford GT is a car that we as Americans can be extremely proud of.  The American Muscle Car is still alive and well and it will continue to be with cars like the Ford GT in its inventory.

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Mustang, Camaro, Barracuda — Pony Cars of the Sixties!

August 3, 2010

By: Bobby Webb

All of us that grew up in the fifties and sixties had to make a couple of big decisions as a teenager.  We had to choose which sports team we were going to support for the rest of our life and whether we were going to be a Ford, Chevrolet, or Plymouth Fan.  In those days we pulled for the Car in NASCAR, not the driver.  We would never support a driver that changed from one manufacturer to another.  Can you imagine what would have happened if Richard Petty had left Plymouth and began driving a Ford or Chevrolet.   My guess is that the fans would have never forgiven him.  It would have been like Mickey Mantle leaving the Yankees.

We had many friendly and sometimes not so friendly conversations at our favorite service stations about which car was the best and why.

When the Pony cars came on the scene in the mid sixties conversations really heated up.  Mustang set the world on fire so Chevrolet and Plymouth jumped on the bandwagon with their Camaro and Barracuda.  All of us had our preference and were very dedicated to it.

I purchased my Mustang on the first day they were available,  April 17 1964.  I was a “Ford Man” back then.  I was raised on Ford and Mercury cars and trucks and Ford tractors.  Although I have to admit that after I purchased my first GM car, a 1967 Corvette Convertible, I switched to a “GM Guy”.

I think all of us can agree that looking back on this provides us a little different opinion of who was right and who was wrong in all of those many conversations.  After watching the video above and seeing how well these vehicles have performed for the past 45 years I think we can all agree that all of them were great cars.  I personally wish they would begin manufacturing cars like them again.

Let me know what you think about these Great Pony Cars.  Enter your comments below.

Thanks for being a member of Classic Car Crazy.

Bobby

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The Post War Ford Motor Company – Beautiful Machines!

June 14, 2010

By: Bobby Webb With life finally returning to normal after World War II, 1949 was a time for fun and celebration. Prosperity was back, and the latest craze was customizing vehicles. Enthusiasts would spend countless hours tinkering with engines and body styles to create the perfect car for cruising along “the strip.” The ’49 Ford [...]

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1969 Mustang Mach I

April 30, 2010

By Bobby Webb: Most of us have experienced selling a car and then regretting that we sold it for years.  One of my readers, Adele Whitlock did exactly that.  She was very fortunate because she now has her car back and she sent me her story and I hope you enjoy it as much as [...]

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1965-66 Ford Mustangs

February 24, 2010

By: Bobby Webb The Car Designed to be Designed by You The Mustang was introduced on April 17, 1964.  There was one white hardtop and one red convertible available for each dealer.  I was fortunate enough to purchase the white hardtop from my dealer during my lunch break on April 17th. It doesn’t invite much [...]

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1955 Ford Fairlane

February 10, 2010

By: Bobby Webb While the 1955 Chevy still commands a vast following, the 1955 Ford garners far less attention. That’s curious because in many ways Ford was more than a match for the Chevy that year.  Though admittedly not “ground up” fresh, it offered colorful new styling and the most powerful engines in Ford history. [...]

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