Gulf Oil/CAV

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AUTO FUTURA – PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTION 28/11/2007
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Auto Futura Secures Official Licensee from Gulf Oil for the CAV GT

The Cape Town based manufacturers of the CAV GT, Auto Futura (Pty) Ltd, have secured the exclusive rights to finish their car in the famous Gulf Oil Livery. The Gulf Oil colours became synonymous with the iconic GT40 in the late sixties with consecutive Le Mans wins in ’68 and ‘69. Company directors Jean Fourie and John Spence said they were proud to announce the recent signing of an Agreement with the Gulf Oil International Group. The timing could not be better with the 2008 Le Mans 24 hour race being the 40th anniversary of Gulf Oils first victory at Le Mans in a GT40.

The agreement licenses them to be the only manufacturer a GT40 recreation to officially distribute their car in the full Gulf Oil livery. After the 1968 & 1969 victories of the J.W.A.Gulf team, the GT40 would forever be remembered as the powder blue car with an orange stripe that beat the best at Le Mans. It was these two classic Le Mans victories along with Steve McQueen’s brilliant 1970 film titled “Le Mans” that made the Gulf Oil logo and colour scheme into an icon of motor racing.

The CAV GT Gulf Oil Cars will be 500 HP versions of the car, complete with Gulf flare rear wheel arches, period BRM rims, Weber IDF carburetors, nubuck leather interior with subtle Gulf Oil logos embroidered on the seats and 5 point safety harnesses. The cars will also have special chassis plates identifying them as being officially licensed Gulf Oil Cars. Their chassis numbers will be added to a Gulf Oil CAV GT register and the history of these cars will be tracked. Owners will receive an official certificate from Gulf Oil confirming that the car is a licensed Gulf Oil car. The cars will be available in 4 different versions of the colour scheme, complete with period sponsor stickers. A range of CAV GT Gulf Oil clothing and sports gear is also planned.

The Gulf Oil brand has never been stronger and is as relevant today as it was in the sixties. “The association is a good one for both companies” comments John Spence. “Where ever we take one of our cars it attracts a crowd. It is incredible that a car designed over 40 years ago can still stir the emotions so strongly. It is however, the cars in Gulf colours, which attract the most attention. I think it takes people back to the golden era of motor racing, to cars and brands the average man in the street could really identify with”.

Gentleman racing is one of the fastest growing sports in Europe. With congested roads and ever stricter speed limit enforcement on public roads, motoring enthusiasts are taking to the track in their hoards. It is not just about racing though, it is about nostalgia. The CAV GT allows you to be transported back to this era. Recently, a retired Le Mans driver commented that driving the CAV GT was like being in a time machine. The grin on his face told the story of a time in his life he remembered fondly, a time before paddle-shift transmissions and the plethora of electronic driver aids thrown at us in modern cars.

The annual 24 hours Le Mans race is where the Gulf brand receives the maximum exposure for its future plans and its brand values of Courage, Endurance, Inspiration and Youth. To learn more about Gulf today, please visit: Gulf Oil International.

For more information on the Gulf Oil CAV GT contact Auto Futura:

Tel: +27 21 702 3307 or +27 21 702 3081
Fax: +27 21 702 2419
E-mail: [email protected]
 

Ian Clark

Supporter
Hi Jean, John

I've had enquiries from owners of existing Gulf liveried CAV GTs asking if official recognition can be applied to their cars too?

Congratulations on the branding / marketing arrangement by the way. These type of things take a lot of time and effort to pull off. Bravo.

Cheers
 

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Ross Nicol

GT40s Supporter
Does this mean if you paint your non CAV GT40 in Gulf colours you will be sued? I used to operate the sound equipment for a band who claimed to be 'The most authentic 50s Rock & Roll band ' in Australia. I thought that was stupid and similarly I believe trying to authenticate a paint colour scheme on a GT40 Replica is as well.Tell me where I can find these gentlemen racers, experience has proven to me my opponents will use any devious means to keep me behind them.Gentlemen may drive cars, but they don't race cars. There is a contradition in those words. I could go on.
Ross
 
Interesting concept, I am sure that no one will be sued, I would imagine that any unauthorized Gulf painted cars will just be seized and crushed.
 
Interesting concept, I am sure that no one will be sued, I would imagine that any unauthorized Gulf painted cars will just be seized and crushed.

I guess it would come down to the statement of
The agreement licenses them to be the only manufacturer a GT40 recreation to officially distribute their car in the full Gulf Oil livery.

I would thus assume other manufacturers could paint the Gulf scheme, but not put the stickers on..... :rolleyes:

Brett
 
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