"Project Silver"...almost

[Topnotch]

...a Le Mans Mustang instead of the GT.


http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2016/6/20/a-winning-imperative.html

...But there were reasons to seriously consider going back to Le Mans for a class win in GTE PRO, and in those early days the biggest of those was that the new-generation Mustang was going to be made available globally for the first time in its history. So an intense study was undertaken to see what it would take to make the new Mustang competitive in the Le Mans GTE PRO class, under the code name “Project Silver.”

Ford’s product development chief, Raj Nair, identified and assembled the most talented engineers, designers, vehicle dynamic experts and aerodynamic specialists within the company and put them on the project. And outside racing partners, including Multimatic – the longtime Canadian company that had done engineering work and prepared racing Mustangs for Ford - were brought in to help evaluate the program.

This was a significant effort within the company, with many of the people involved adding the project to their normal workloads. But in the end, in order to make the Mustang competitive, it was determined that a wildly expensive “homologation special” would have to be created, and though it would have been by far the most radical and compelling Mustang ever built – complete with carbon fiber passenger cell – the project ground to a halt at the very last “go/no go” meeting in Mark Fields’ office. The bottom line? It was too expensive and some of the Ford regional executives weren’t keen on the financial contributions that would be required of them.

Had the idea of going back to Le Mans reached a dead end in the company’s modern era? Yes, but as it turns out, only momentarily...

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[ShelbyGT350]

...a Le Mans Mustang instead of the GT.


http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2016/6/20/a-winning-imperative.html

Great article!

 

[Twin Turbo]

That was a good read, thanks TN!

Hopefully someone will write a book on Ford's return to Le Mans, as it's a fascinating story with a fairy tale ending

 

[Topnotch]

Apparently R&T were close...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...stang-should-race-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans/

 

[Bobsp12]

Thanks Topnotch....fascinating story....it's the essence that sets Ford apart from other companies that just manufacture cars as whitegoods.

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

If Ford would revive the LeMans Mustang program and produce a street version, I would be a buyer.

 

[Schu]

 

[BmacIL]

Drool....

 

[traxiii]

This needs to be racing in GT-3/GT Daytona next year!

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

Agreed ! !

 

[Brando]

I never quote pictures but this should be seen by every man woman and child living. Oh. My. God. That's an amazing machine!!!!!

 

[z460]

Damn i really wish Ford had GTE Race car that is a sexy car and one hell of a story

 

[sldghmr]

:eyebulge::hail::ford:

 

[traxiii]

Damn i really wish Ford had GTE Race car that is a sexy car and one hell of a story

You mean kinda like the GT! :ford:
Funny, but I would love to see a Mustang or ten like that prowling the GT3, WC and GTD circuits too.
I'm greedy like that!

 

[Topnotch]

Raj Nair got his GT this week:

Garen Nicoghosian gave him a painting:

Inside the painting a tribute to "Project Silver"

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