quote:Originally posted by Rob Borruso:
Interesting topic Doug. Having built a GT40, I often notice the feeling of similarity when working on the Panteras. Some are obvious like the drivetrain config...others less obvious like suspension and steering geometry/hard points and chassis config.
Timing of course "is everything" in so many aspects of life.
For me, this was all PERFECT. I grew up with all of this but the significant part is that if the deal to buy Ferrari went through, the "Duce" would never have gotten PO'd enough to put the "ball in motion"?
It's all related even the re-emergence of the GT40 as the Ford GT.
The influence from Ford in the Pantera if you really LOOK is there. Even the front suspension "similarities to the Mustang"?
Ford COULD have offered the GT40 as a sports car for the street THEN but in so many ways the Pantera is it translated into Italian?
The "recent current" thinking with the Ford GT was certainly along those lines?
For me, it's really a fun topic and keeps me renewing my enjoyment of the breed from day to day.
I hope it does for you to?
This is the IRS as conceived of for the Shelby R model. Geometry is all out of the Ford Computer.
They were actually installed into two coupes and tested at Willow springs. The results were that there was no difference in lap speeds with them over the live axle.
Pete Brock said they didn't have enough time to put them into the cars. Ford said they didn't like the cost. They just couldn't say no one wanted to do it. I think it was more that they were afraid of them in a production vehicle. They weren't going to sell more Mustangs to the secretaries with them either so to use them in a few race cars was not justifiable.
That's the Mustang side of the story. Try and tell Detomaso no? I don't think so and lucky for me (us).
All big car companies have internal battles.
In '92 R&T road tested the ZR1 Corvette and the thing that annoyed them was that the cigarette lighter was the same as in the Chevette?
Their remark was "that represented the battle between the 'great and the goofy' at GM"?
The internal battle at Ford over the IRS is hardly the same level of goofiness but one never the less?
