*Dialling tone*
"You've reached the ears of Clark Kayne. Please leave a message after the beep."
*BEEP*
SG Producer: "Mr. Kayne. This is the producer. You've been off the radar the days you're due a review for the company. Don't forget the wads of cash we've already handed you so you can give an opinion of the cars that come in. Please reply ASAP, or so help me i will murder you.. figuratively."
*hangs*
SG Producer: "The nerve that egotistic street racer can get you.."
SG Assistant: "Something the matter, boss?"
SG Producer: "Oh, you know: Clark's gone for a 'holiday' without consulting our good faith."
SG Assistant: "Maybe after that Samba Bus skit, you'd think he'd actually keep working."
SG Producer: "Hmm.. you have a point. That might've been a mistake."
SG Assistant: "Exactly. Just who wants to read anything about an old 60s bus being taken around race tracks anyways?"
SG Producer: "The readers demand variety after we finished a few classic Lambos and domestic Hondas, along with some others. But I want that so called king of the streets to oblige this special client's request. Not to mention this client wanted us to do something pretty demanding, and for that.. we need.."
???: "Someone special?"
Song.
???: "How's the morning going so far, Mr. Producer? Apologies for barging in such an inconvenient time."
SG Assistant: "Hey! I know this guy! It's.. it's Nash Kirkham!"
SG Producer: "Anyone with eyes can tell! Erhh.. Mr. Kirkham! Sorry to have you hear all the hullabaloo in this office. We're in a bit of an issue with one of our drivers gone AWOL. To make matters worse, a paying client has requested us to make a special review. Our staff is pretty occupied, and our only other available driver resides all the way in Japan, and we've no way to interfere his zen, if you know what i mean."
Nash: "I do. Now.. about Mr. Kayne's tardiness."
SG Assistant: "Mr. Kayne? You know him?"
Nash: "We're brothers."
SG Producer: "Ahh. But that doesn't sound natural."
Nash: "Now, back to business.. Clark's gone off the radar, even from me. So.. i suggest you would like having someone of a more.. legendary background take place for your special request. I mean.. you guys are doing great. So far, all of the reviews were spot on. Just that.. Sim Gear is clearly lacking that je ne sais quoi."
SG Producer: "Just what are you thinking in that head o' yours, Nash?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOMEPLAYADUDE'S SIM GEAR ENTRY #3
Before we begin: a history lesson.
In the beginning of the 60s, aspiring car company director Henry Ford the second: the successor of the man that placed birth of the commercial engined powered car, really wanted to put his family company on to the great racing league of Le Mans.
Yes, we're talking about THAT Le Mans.
In 1963, he threw his company into the fray when he saw Enzo Ferrari put the famed Ferrari name to sell towards Ford. Ferrari being Ferrari, Ford put in money to put the deal through, only to be walked out by Enzo at the last second due to an issue regarding Indy cars. Enzo did sell to Fiat, however, even though Ford is paying more.
That's a shame, it is. And it's no doubt Mr. Ford was cross. Very cross. He had a new goal to achieve that dream of his, and finds out that in Le Mans also, is where Ferrari will feel that sting of vengeance. The man went to look around for another race company that'll help him slam Ferrari into the ground. And after a while, Ford had some negotiations with Cambridge based race engineering company: Lola Cars.
After 2 years of trial and error, this deadly alliance of a British chassis and an American engine would bring us the birth of this.
The 1966 Ford GT40P MK.1
Your host:
Nash Kirkham
Song for the review.
And in such a race built road homologation, the engine's so loud, that it'll have to come to this.
Nash: "Race spec communicators."
Though, I'll be doing most of the talking outside the cockpit. No worries.
The Ford GT40 is considered by many a winner. On Le Mans it did that four times. A flash 1-2-3 on 1966, to victories until 1970. For that, we have to thank so many people at that time, from engineering geniuses, to racing pioneers, and even the father of American high performance that is Carroll Shelby.
It's the existence of such a car that put Ford on the performance market. And it's no way an ugly bug like the Veyron. I mean.. just look at it.
Nash: "A little tidbit: the GT40's name came from the rather low height of the car's stature. 40 inches isn't exactly super tiny. It's like an Austin Mini, but also like a Lotus. To add: the P for this variant means 'production'."
And from the back: take a listen.
The production of such a stunning soundtrack comes from a Shelby tuned Ford 4.7 liter V8. This gave this little sleek machine a good 335 hp, and a top speed of 164 mph. Also just weighing in at about 1.1 tons, the car's easily aerodynamic by eye. The long first gear, however, stunted the car's 0-60 time at a sluggish, but respectable 5.3 seconds.
Nash: "During the 60s, 164 mph was pretty quick, putting most cars' top speeds to shame. But.. around that time, a faster car would be.. the Shelby tuned Cobra (185 mph) and the Miura (170 mph), as far as memory recalls. And that's not too shabby for a car with four long gears."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But now would be a nicer time to tackle another problem in classic sports cars: the handling.
Nash: "The rules of handling don't really change over the years of when cars still have that sort of arrangement, engine or who's driving it. Radical designs, along with the rigidity of the chassis contribute to how a car handles. The Ford GT40, as you'd expect from a champion's view, would be one that'd be.. fun and easy to drive. Uh oh.."
Nash: "*sigh* On the contrary, however.."
Even in cruise or race, a LOT of focus is needed to actually drive this thing. You push when the car's more than just 40 degrees, and you're bound to hear tire squeal. This is a car that isn't afraid to fish tail, mainly due to it's 40:60 weight distribution and shoddy 60s chassis arrangements. Still, not as bad as a few other cars from this age.
Let's tackle that second chicane with this in mind.
Nash: "All you have to do to counter this, aside from tuning, is to make sure that you feather that throttle; don't encourage spinning the tires on the pavement. Losing grip in this is a nightmare."
Oh, and traction control? ABS? What's that in the 60s? The car was made in the age that large spoilers or high downforce aren't the norm until about a decade later.
Nash: "Lucky I'm of such a caliber! If i had my brother handle this, what sort of wreck will i be measuring?"
Unlike the occasional, affordable supercars of today, the sports cars of the past aren't driver friendly. You have to be some sort of race car driver or something of the sort to manage driving this and not touch anything on the way.
Nash: "You want something easy to drive? May i present you what you should be staying away from here on out."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Practicality is also an issue, mostly because of one thing.
Nash: "This is a road legal variant of a RACE CAR. Just what else can you come up when you walk by it's magnificence?"
Sure, there are a lot of dials inside, but this is a lesson that we like the simplified heads up displays that we have today. And the load of flip switches that consist of what today's levers on the steering wheel's side does.
Nash: "But, for a race car, it's got working rear mirrors. Even the rear view's not too bad, either."
Also, you might've noticed for an American car, you have your seats on the right, like in the UK. Lola's part in making the chassis has probably got something to do with it. With an American branding, this is one car that you can say, making the Anglo-American alliance work real good.
Nash: "And there's way more i can say on how iconic this thing really is! The presence alone will make you bask in it's glory. I won't be the only judge. Ferruccio Lamborghini saw this car, and it inspired him, giving us the beautiful Miura. Also, the GT40 has won more major racing events than anything i know with a road car variant that works."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Song.
It's then sad to say that the car's legacy didn't move on well.
Even though an American won the Le Mans for 4 years straight, it didn't really garner the hearts of many that had little interest in Ford.
The Lamborghini Miura went on to be the car that overshadow the sports car world straight after, and Porsche making it's way to dominate the years of Le Mans after.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Song.
That is, until 2005: the Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary.
Nash: "And may i introduce you to this.."
You'll ask: Nash. What are you trying to tell us by showing us a small blurb of the Ford Chicanes? How about you wait.
A little longer, and here we are.
Song Progress.
The 2005 Ford GT.
Nash: "And for this, i have my good friend come in to hopefully fill in Clark's dark demeanor. *to communicator* Why don't you introduce the people what's in store, Ross?"
???: "With pleasure."
Your co-host:
Jacob Ross
After a century of highs and lows, Ford decided to celebrate it's hundred year dominance of the American market of cars, with what appears to be a much larger, fatter, slightly taller version of the Ford GT40 introduced in the 60s.
Jake: "But, before this was made, Ford made another car that's similar to the GT40 in a way. Back in 1995, Ford introduced the GT90, which turned out to be the former successor to the GT40. That car was more of a tech show than anything, since it took little from the GT40 itself. A more real comparison would be a monstrous V6 hypercar of the time: the Jaguar XJ220, in which is mostly what that white concept was based on."
But unlike the GT90, the Ford GT is pretty much Ford revisiting it's prime time on the racing world: when they made a car that put big brand Ferrari in it's place.
*Sports tires not provided by Dunlop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jake: "Now, we're going to see what do i literally mean by: Ford revisiting it's prime time. First things first: it's easily identified as a nostalgia driven design, including the GT40 style canopies on the front and back."
And behind us is the all aluminum V8 that made many stories. What stories? Not the ones that your pappy tells you every night, i hope?
Well, it's the stories that make the average gas guzzler smile. A 1.5 ton machine carrying a 5.4 liter V8 that produces 550 hp with the help of a supercharger. Such a beating heart has this horse do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, with a limited top speed of 205 mph. Push it hard after beating the limiter, and you might just reach 240 mph (in game test). Don't tell the folks at Ford i told you what i did.
Jake: "Still not impressed? How about.. no major exterior use of carbon fibre. If you look around its rivals, using that overrated material like their pajamas, it'd tell you how much i fear driving a Ford GT outta' that stuff."
Not to mention: what's a racing Ford GT like?
Jake: "Yes. Just like it's predecessor, the Ford GT received successful racing homologation. From world wide Le Mans, to FIA GT1 and GT3 racing. It's a natural racer, it is, and the geniuses behind it are sure to get their share of praises."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jake: "And the best part: it's in every way a magnificent car. You'd think: why'd the hero bring the perfect partner to ride with?"
Magnificent, in what way?
The car is just sublime. Words escape me on how much i loved looking at it. Hearing it. Driving it. Over and over. This casual manner from myself shows this GT mixes as the great test for veterans, and a great car to get your gears going in supercar racing.
Jake: "Unlike the GT40, the 2005 GT proves to be a fun car for anyone who can drive. It won't hurt much when you push, and if you do want to go and spin the 43:57 weight ratio body: the wider tires behind just resist that urge. It's not impossible to lose control or drift, however, if you make that effort to burn rubber."
Much has Ford journeyed. A fruitful and long adventure, and with this distance, they hit the jackpot. Very little are you going to find such smiles in a car from America.
Jake: "In fact: it's just unlikely you see just about anyone praising American cars like what they do to this."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have a thought....
Has Ford made the correct move on how their flagship car is going to be viewed?
Jake: "The name of American cars have been shunned by critics on the whole. Is it really just about giving it more power? That's the thought process of what gives you a more performing variant of their cars."
It's a lot deeper than just assuming we're just people that chew hay and make anything better with a turbocharger. The Ford GT never received that treatment of a rejuvenation or a rebadging as a GT X or something like that. It's that special.
Jake: "And let me give you in to that degree of special. See.. there's this universe of video games that popularized the genre of realistic driving simulation named Gran Turismo. And to many people's agreement: the fourth release of that game is the one that's most popular."
How about a box view?
See it? That's a Ford GT, for sure. But how about more? When i put this lowly DVD into this black box..
You notice the car you see first? And then see it just take over the first half of the video.
To sum it up: this cowboy's speechless. You can see the depth of what Ford has done to the view towards how great American cars can actually be.
Jake: "And let's keep all that amazement to a stop. There are negatives of the car, but there is no way you can turn this thing down. Still unfazed by my bias? That all is based on what the experts and the enthusiasts see. What i see. And i want you to see it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE VERDICT.
Song.
Nash will share his experience for giving opinions to the GT40.
Jacob will give his hearty opinion for a stock variant of his beloved GT.
Design
1966 GT40 MK. 1
Shaped by race car designers, built for speed, sexier than the Miura itself, even! That's the most you'll find in the eyes of anyone who's carried a mind for racing. The car's definitely not for shopping at your nearby Tesco, no.
You're free to put a wing or some body work. The wing might help with the great stability issues the car might possess, but don't look at me when everyone you meet start frowning.
2005 GT
I've never seen a car i'd drive else other than my own GT. The car has turned faces. The sound is pure and beefy for a car of it's class. Being part of the GT40 hampers the originality, but you're facing a what if: the what if the GT40's lovely stature came to the modern days of cars going above 220. You'll see most of what's out and in are similar to the GT40.
But this isn't a brand new Mark for the GT40. It's simply just a supercar attempt based on the GT40. It's in no way a bad one, too.
Aero kits wise, there's not much.
Performance
1966 GT40 MK. 1
It's great! But.. as it is, it just won't do against cars of today. No, no, no.
Modding is for the first interest in finding it's best performance. The tall 4 gears have got to go. A new suspension setting to fix that nasty fish tailing. Still afraid? Chassis reinforcement can help.
If you find that sweet spot, you have yourself one top tier car for any level it reaches (which isn't broken). 550? Go for the gold. 600? Wave goodbye to those pesky Mclaren and Ferrari. The car will, i kid you not, do an easy 6:50 around the ring if you get it right (600pp, SS)
In fact: Jake's done some thorough testing that the car will place a time of 1:29.569 around Red Bull Ring with the same settings. Care to try?
2005 GT
Many have tried to tame the car, but failed. It's difficult to tune so you can get it to move with the big boys.
The only lacking ability is the acceleration, being a little lower than it's rivals. That must be it's balance on how much easier is it to drive. Being a car with no natural traction control, they know you'd have to survive to make progress.
The GT's lack of high speed acceleration will hand you one thing: a balance of the track you can bring the car out. It can go on straights, and exit corners fast with the proper gearbox. It's got less than usual power, but the potential is high, and the difficulty spike is rather pleasant for a high powered, mid-engined supercar.
And has Nash beat me to the gun with the Red Bull Ring? The GT's best lap is at 1:30:741.
Value For Credits (Author Opinion)
1966 GT40 MK. 1
2.8 million credits.
Save up for something that'll kill you? Yeah. That's a stretch, is it?
But think: do you really want to hurt Ferrari where it counts? It's got some customization options, and you will enjoy to learn the dark side of the moon when it comes to being a professional racer in the 60s. A trophy doesn't walk up to you unless you're up for the challenge.
Are you?
2005 GT
One of the first cars bought by SomePlayaDude in his career of GT6 is the 2006 Ford GT. The main reason is it's reasonable 149,880 cr. price tag. That's cheap! And for something that exists to be the bane of Ferrari too! Don't like a GT-R because everyone gnaws on it? How about this low tech supercar instead, huh?
It's easily more than 150k worth of a car that signifies the 'jack of all trades'.
SomeDude Approves?
APPROVED!
(just take care when driving the GT40)
"So.. how's the lovely lady, Ross?"
"You tell me."
), etc. To help you get started, here's a few things to review on a car: Power, Handling, Looks, Tuneability, Value for Money...see, just like a real motoring show!
. Then it all went horribly wrong, I got a little too confident and she got away from my control, next thing I knew I was staring at the front bumper of a Toyota Supra. So grip is improved but still take caution, I suggest equipping her with an Aero Kit, I recommend the last one (I forgot if it was B or C), really helped me a lot. And if you are planning to boost power even further, don't forget to add wings...really. Going back to my less than stellar performance on the Matterhorn, apart from a bit of grip issue, I also found another issue with the brakes. I don't know if its just me, a glitch, the track, or the car itself, but I felt that the brakes don't seem to be doing an excellent job considering it's on a high performance car. Anyways, as I said, I don't know if it's just me, so try it yourself if you have a C7, and see if you experience the same problems. Performance wise, she can handle a straight line, have a bit of trouble in the corners, but over-all she's an excellent all round performer.
