This just goes to show what a small world we live in. This morning I parked the GT40 outside the front of my factory for about 10 minutes right by the main road. I then had an old chap call into my office and asked if he could look at my car. The chap introduced himseld as Mr David Taylor and said that he was very interested to look at my car because he was one of the principal design engineers at Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough. He said that he worked directly with John Wyer and Eric Broadley on the development of the GT40. He was also resposible for assisting in the design of the Mk 3.
He listed off numerous names of the design team and it was very difficult to take it all in. This chap really knew his stuff and was well versed on the chassis design, bodywork etc.etc.
In addition to this he was heavily involved in the development of the Mirage and in later days the Daren Mk 1. I found on the net a statement about him regarding the Daren Mk 1 as follows:
""The decision to build a GT race car attracted the attention of David Taylor. David had worked for Ford before joining JW Automotive Products (thus becoming involved with the Mirage Ford) and was a potential customer of John’s before he got involved in the design of Daren. John himself worked on chassis design with mechanic Mike Aird. The end result was an exquisite shape that the press billed as being faultless with a sparkling engine.""
I have told David about the UK Club and also the GT40 forum so he will hopefully come on and introduce himself. He lives in Cowes and I found it weird that one of the design engineers has lived most of his life right here on the Isle of Wight!
It was great having a chat with him and I am going to meet him again in the next week or so. He has pictures of the GT40 being produced and others he said I can look at. He was most impressed with my car when I took him for a spin and was happy to have a go in one after all these years.
He was pleased to tell me about how the original chassis layout was done (I was somewhat embarressed about my KVA chassis!!). I did say that I could have done with meeting him a year and a half ago when I started my build. I look forward to hearing some more stories about these cars and seeing some of the pictures. Perhaps I should park my car by the road more often. You never know who might be passing by!!
Regards
Simon
He listed off numerous names of the design team and it was very difficult to take it all in. This chap really knew his stuff and was well versed on the chassis design, bodywork etc.etc.
In addition to this he was heavily involved in the development of the Mirage and in later days the Daren Mk 1. I found on the net a statement about him regarding the Daren Mk 1 as follows:
""The decision to build a GT race car attracted the attention of David Taylor. David had worked for Ford before joining JW Automotive Products (thus becoming involved with the Mirage Ford) and was a potential customer of John’s before he got involved in the design of Daren. John himself worked on chassis design with mechanic Mike Aird. The end result was an exquisite shape that the press billed as being faultless with a sparkling engine.""
I have told David about the UK Club and also the GT40 forum so he will hopefully come on and introduce himself. He lives in Cowes and I found it weird that one of the design engineers has lived most of his life right here on the Isle of Wight!
It was great having a chat with him and I am going to meet him again in the next week or so. He has pictures of the GT40 being produced and others he said I can look at. He was most impressed with my car when I took him for a spin and was happy to have a go in one after all these years.
He was pleased to tell me about how the original chassis layout was done (I was somewhat embarressed about my KVA chassis!!). I did say that I could have done with meeting him a year and a half ago when I started my build. I look forward to hearing some more stories about these cars and seeing some of the pictures. Perhaps I should park my car by the road more often. You never know who might be passing by!!
Regards
Simon
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