An appropriate Tow Vehicle

[Pete.]

2 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img]

[Pete.]

Big lump of metal..

[Oliver]

Color me PINK pete..I don't know what kind of car this is..What is it?

[Pete.]

It is a Ford GTP, made by Ford Performance Vehicles in OZ.
go to www.fpv.com.au. and read all about it.

[Pete.]

For some reason the link isn't working, what am I doing wrong Ron?
Maybe this will. http://www.fpv.com.au/ It does [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banana.gif[/img]

[Ron Earp]

Damn, why don't we get that stuff in the US? Damn, that Super Pursuit FP is cool. Why don't you guys have the Lightning trucks? Blown inline 6, what is sweet!

R

[Bill Hara]

I think it is interesting that the US decided to stop the Falcons in the 60s in favour of the Mustang and other lines (Crown Victoria's etc). Ford Australia had been importing the Falcons from 1961 (I think) and continued to do so through the 60's, with only minor mods to the styling and of course the Right Hand Drive changes. With Shelby tweaking Mustangs in the USA, Ford Australia got the drift and began tweaking their Falcon range and that is how the Falcon GT was born in 1967. The GT was predominantly a 4 door model (1971 GT HO briefly held the fastest 4 door sedan in the world - title) with only the 1972 XA and 1974 XB (Mad Max)GT's offering a coupe body style. The 1976-1979 XC coupes did not come out as GT's (only as blue and white Cobra's) as Ford Australia lost its direction on the Performance front and infact ceased with a V8 altogether after 1983 - since never producing another coupe Falcon.
The GT returned along with an EFI V8 in 1993 as the EB Falcon GT - a limited edition release, and again in 1997 as the EL Falcon GT, also a limited edition release.
In 2002 with the introduction of the BA Falcon, the GT made it's long awaited comeback as a regular model and has proven to be hugely successful to Ford Australia and it's performance arm FPV.
I believe the Ford Falcon is Ford Worldwide's longest running continuous model.
Pete's car is the BF GT-P and is an absolute ripper car, so I suppose Pete should give us his driving impressions on his new "daily driver".

Well done Pete.

Bill.

[Pete.]

Thanks Bill, Drive impressions after she is run in, the six speed sequential box is a ripper.
F.P.V. are hosting a track day at Qld Raceway so we'll wait for that [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
"Daily Driver" is the GT40. GTP is the "Rain Car".

[Neal]

[ QUOTE ]
Damn, why don't we get that stuff in the US? Damn, that Super Pursuit FP is cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure is... Good to see that a company that prides itself on innovation can still produce cool product. Now if they could only figure out how to make money at it! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Ross Nicol]

The best yet I reckon
Ross

[40 Bud]

Bill, I was lucky enough to have a guided tour thru FPV about 4 years ago. I was very empressed with what they were doing! I think there are a few Mustang late model and Cobra owners over here that would be shocked at how quick some of FPV's models are.

[Russ Noble]

Just reincarnating this thread so as not to wander away from the subject on the "Transporter by Ford" thread.

This was Malcolms post :-

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Earp
Hell, Malcolm tows his GT40 with an Audi 100 - That is Audi 5000 for us US people. We US people are spolied or over-tow, not sure which yet! And I am forever getting hassled in the paddock about "A Lightning, you can't tow with that!"

Here are some pics of Malcolm and I heading to Donnington to wail around a bit, worked great!

I think I peaked at 85 mph with that trailer combo without snaking! Then I realised I was going a bit too fast so slowed the train up a bit! Trailer weighs 512 kg and was designed specifically for a GTD 40. It is up for sale...... __________________
Malcolm


Most trailers will tow at any speed so long as they are setup correctly. Basically this means centre of gravity and centre of pressure slightly ahead of the axle centre. Wheels set to slight tow in and axle mounted so as to toein slightly on bump. No ridiculously short drawbar.

But Malcolm's post reminded me of my first tow vehicle in my early days racing. A 1966 Hillman 1725cc Super Minx wagon. About 65 hp at the flywheel! It wouldn't even do 85 mph WITHOUT the trailer!

I remember at one stage a mate and I decided to make the long and hilly trip north to Levin For the national championship 'Gold Star" race to race our 1.6 litre National Formula singleseaters. Both were "NZ Specials" his was the Humber Begg and my was the Valour Ford, both pushrod motors.

We figured the best way to save money on the notoriously expensive ferry crossing to the North Island was to put an extra deck on my single axle trailer and carry both cars one on top of the other. All towed by the long suffering Super Minx which was also laden down with crew and spares and fuel etc. An interesting trip, we were down to low gear going up the Ngauranga Gorge on the main highway out of Wellington and getting outdragged by fully laden buses and lorries. I vividly remember the side brackets of the towbar scraping on the ground going round corners as we tried to maintain speed as we attacked the hills. Basically an uneventful trip apart from one blown tyre. Maybe not surprising.....

Pity I didn't have photos. We never used to worry about that sort of thing. Used to live for the day and not think about the past, or documenting anything for future reference. Great times...

Cheers