Almost Ready for Ceramic

[Epiphany]

Oh BTW, this little ditty (1/2" x 1") was stuck on the bottom of the wing in a very inconspicuous location. 24 gee's...geeze, givemeabreak, bro!

Well I'll be a son of a bitch. You just unlocked the key KB and major kudos for doing it.

I had been on the trail well in advance of the OEM production wing but could never nail down every aspect. Your photo unearthed a well hidden secret.

For me, my interest in the GT4 wing started when I was lucky enough to be embedded with Dean Martin's KOHR Racing effort in the '18 Continental series in IMSA. I learned quite a bit about the car over the season including the aero behind it. I had previously been introduced to some of the people at Multimatic behind the program by the Director of Engineering at FP and got a one on one tour at Multimatic's facility in Toronto. That relationship gave me the opportunity to learn all about the aero aspect, and in particular, the wing. Fast forward to '20 GT500 production and I learned that Multimatic lost the bid to produce the OEM version of the wing that they produce for the GT4 Mustang. Crazy thing is that when I inquired as to who got the bid, I got different answers from different people. One of the companies I learned could be the one was Polytec FOHA. I had never heard of them before and I couldn't link the GT500 wing to them from anything available online so I was still skeptical that it was coming from them. It was later confirmed from somebody that may or may not be a member here that it was indeed Polytec (and this was more than just word of mouth).

So I had assumed since then that it was produced stateside, more specifically, in Michigan by Polytec. KB's photo dropped a bomb on my assertion. I see that Action Composites is capable but still - in what way are they connected to Polytec? Whelp, it's out there. First, Action's own site...

https://www.action-composites.com/

The connection between Action Composites and Polytec FOHA?

So there it is. The top importer from Action Composites is Polytec FOHA, on behalf of the GT500 and the wing through Ford. And the date listed jibes with production, give or take (highlighted in yellow)...

I wonder if they are doing the CF dash as well. Anyway, thanks to KB's discovery, the chain is now complete. Action Composites makes the wing (still not 100% on the origin of every bit of hardware though) which is imported by Polytec FOHA who then supplies it to Ford for use on the 2020+ Shelby GT500 CFTP cars.

The wing is certainly a quality piece but it makes you wonder...did Ford ultimately end up tapping China simply because of a cost savings? Or is Action's quality that good? I struggle with the fact that Multimatic didn't get the contract but it would appear on its face that Multimatic's bid was either higher (and thus an even more expensive piece) or their quality didn't meet the standard (which can't be as Multimatic does the Ford GT, work for Aston, etc, and their work is some of the world's best).

Things that make you go hmm. Thanks KB and sorry for the mini-hijack.

Tob

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[kilobravo]

Heck Tob, no apology necessary my friend. You guys know I generally don't sweat the small stuff like stickers and part numbers. <smiling> But, when I saw that little sticker and saw what it said, I had a feeling it might be interesting to you, especially, Tob. The amazing thing to me is that this is the first time someone has mentioned that decal in well over a year.

Anyway, very much enjoyed your post, Tob and it's nice to be the provider of information rather than the taker, for a change.

As for the wing, well, it is what it is but from my amateur viewpoint, it's pretty perfect in every respect, even the brackets are first class. Now, I can start bitching about even worse fuel efficiency bumping down the "Yo, John...<smile>" AOA to the second position. <chuckling>

 

[kilobravo]

The fog and "BR-549" mist burned off and the overcast got a bit thinner so I backed her out and grabbed some "post paint corection/ceramic" shots. Not the best light but it will do and now my poor SD "Ruby" can have her spot back in the garage. :-)

 

[OH3Cobra]

Angle of Attack! Same thing at the pump. Gas nozzle at proper angle of attack.

 

[kilobravo]

PS. The wing bracket gaskets I made, thanks to Tom's generosity and, the best shot I could get of one installed.

I also added some of my super secret but super duper pool gear lube <grin> (that I use on everything except toast,) to the o-rings in the base of the brackets. Figure it couldn't hurt and would probably extend the life of the rubber.

 

[OH3Cobra]

pitch perfect........

 

[Tomster]

PS. The wing bracket gaskets I made, thanks to Tom's generosity and, the best shot I could get of one installed.

I also added some of my super secret but super duper pool gear lube <grin> (that I use on everything except toast,) to the o-rings in the base of the brackets. Figure it couldn't hurt and would probably extend the life of the rubber.

That will never leak water and I think is the superior solution. I'm glad I could help.

 

[Epiphany]

KB....that looks fantastic! Your hard work definitely paid off.

And before I forget and if I might ask....exactly where was that sticker anyway?

 

[kilobravo]

That will never leak water and I think is the superior solution. I'm glad I could help.

I believe that is a sound bet, Tom and thank you again.

 

[kilobravo]

And before I forget and if I might ask....exactly where was that sticker anyway?

Tob: It was tucked up under the left side right against the side bracket. Very much out of sight cuz I've washed and waxed enough in a year to have seen every square inch of the vehicle's exterior. Sorry I didn't get a photo of it installed when I had the wing off but I was in the middle of polishing and had to remove it.

Maybe this will help...

 

[Epiphany]

Perfect!

 

[Jmeo]

That will never leak water and I think is the superior solution. I'm glad I could help.

What exactly should I be looking for when shopping for some Tom? I just wanna be prepared for when/if I get a wing.

 

[Tomster]

What exactly should I be looking for when shopping for some Tom? I just wanna be prepared for when/if I get a wing.

I have no idea of what brand or mfg it is. It is stuff I scored a long time ago on ebay. It is closed cell neoprene with an adhesive backing. The stuff is amazing for many uses.

When you get to that point, let me know and I will send you some.

 

[Tomster]

Well I'll be a son of a bitch. You just unlocked the key KB and major kudos for doing it.

I had been on the trail well in advance of the OEM production wing but could never nail down every aspect. Your photo unearthed a well hidden secret.

For me, my interest in the GT4 wing started when I was lucky enough to be embedded with Dean Martin's KOHR Racing effort in the '18 Continental series in IMSA. I learned quite a bit about the car over the season including the aero behind it. I had previously been introduced to some of the people at Multimatic behind the program by the Director of Engineering at FP and got a one on one tour at Multimatic's facility in Toronto. That relationship gave me the opportunity to learn all about the aero aspect, and in particular, the wing. Fast forward to '20 GT500 production and I learned that Multimatic lost the bid to produce the OEM version of the wing that they produce for the GT4 Mustang. Crazy thing is that when I inquired as to who got the bid, I got different answers from different people. One of the companies I learned could be the one was Polytec FOHA. I had never heard of them before and I couldn't link the GT500 wing to them from anything available online so I was still skeptical that it was coming from them. It was later confirmed from somebody that may or may not be a member here that it was indeed Polytec (and this was more than just word of mouth).

So I had assumed since then that it was produced stateside, more specifically, in Michigan by Polytec. KB's photo dropped a bomb on my assertion. I see that Action Composites is capable but still - in what way are they connected to Polytec? Whelp, it's out there. First, Action's own site...

https://www.action-composites.com/

The connection between Action Composites and Polytec FOHA?

So there it is. The top importer from Action Composites is Polytec FOHA, on behalf of the GT500 and the wing through Ford. And the date listed jibes with production, give or take (highlighted in yellow)...

I wonder if they are doing the CF dash as well. Anyway, thanks to KB's discovery, the chain is now complete. Action Composites makes the wing (still not 100% on the origin of every bit of hardware though) which is imported by Polytec FOHA who then supplies it to Ford for use on the 2020+ Shelby GT500 CFTP cars.

The wing is certainly a quality piece but it makes you wonder...did Ford ultimately end up tapping China simply because of a cost savings? Or is Action's quality that good? I struggle with the fact that Multimatic didn't get the contract but it would appear on its face that Multimatic's bid was either higher (and thus an even more expensive piece) or their quality didn't meet the standard (which can't be as Multimatic does the Ford GT, work for Aston, etc, and their work is some of the world's best).

Things that make you go hmm. Thanks KB and sorry for the mini-hijack.

Tob

Go figure, lol.

 

[Warpath]

Perfect!

Did you ever find out where to get those GT4 caster/camber plates?

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