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Kar Kraft: Race Cars, Prototypes and Muscle Cars of Ford's Specialty Vehicle
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Kar Kraft: Race Cars, Prototypes and Muscle Cars of Ford's Specialty Vehicle Program Hardcover - 2017

by Charlie Henry

From the publisher

"

Get the inside story of how Ford used Kar-Kraft to win Le Mans and take revenge on Ferrari, succeed in NASCAR, NHRA, Trans-Am, and Can-Am racing, create prototypes, and produce muscle for the street.

For the first time ever, author Charlie Henry, a former Kar-Kraft employee, provides an in-depth look into this skunkworks facility. Additional insight and recollections from more than 10 other former Kar-Kraft employees are included as well.

The story of Kar-Kraft began, as did many others in the automotive industry, with an axe to grind. In 1963, Ford was seriously interested in purchasing Ferrari. Ferrari was a legendary brand with considerable success in racing, and Ford saw the acquisition as a great way to be instantly successful in the racing arena. When Enzo Ferrari realized that Ford would not give him complete control of the racing program, he backed out of the deal late in the process. Ford had spent millions in vetting and audits, which then set in motion a vengeful response against Ferrari. The result was the unthinkable: Ford beat Ferrari at Le Mans.

Ford wanted to become competitive quickly, but it did not have the race history or resources in house. To remedy the situation, Ford searched the U.K. for an independent company to help accelerate its race car development. It first settled on Lola Cars and set up Ford Advanced Vehicles. Later, Ford brought its Le Mans effort to the U.S. and the Kar-Kraft relationship was established. Although Kar-Kraft was technically an independent company, it really only had one customer: Ford Special Vehicles. Kar-Kraft's story doesn't begin and end with the GT 40 that took the win away from Ferrari at Le Mans. Ford expanded upon the program and organized an all-out assault on racing in general. In addition, street versions of the Boss 429 were assembled under its roof. And fabled prototypes, including the LID Mustang, Boss 302 Maverick, and Mach 2C, were all assembled in Ford's contracted race shop. And then, out of the blue, its doors closed for good on a cold day in 1970.

History tells us that Ford won Le Mans, the Daytona 500, and the Trans-Am championship. But it doesn't tell us how this was accomplished. Henry does just that. Whether you're a racing enthusiast, history buff, or a fan of Fords in general, this book is required reading for your shelf."

From the rear cover

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Prelude to Kar-Kraft: A Little Concept Car
The Concept
Mustang Takes a Bow
What's in a Name?

Chapter 2: Ford Meets Ferrari: Shopping for a Race Winner
An Invitation to Dance
Establishing Ford's Racing Objectives
Why Go Racing?

Chapter 3: Preparing for Le Mans: The GT 40
The Beginning of Ford Advanced Vehicles
The Cast of Characters
The GT 40s in America

Chapter 4: The Creation of Kar-Kraft: From Slough to Dearborn
Opening the Door
Kar-Kraft Facilities
Kar-Kraft "Pit Crew"

Chapter 5: Going for the Win: The Mk II and Mk IV
Back in the States: The Mk II
Le Mans 1966
Designing the J Car
Mk IV FIA Sports Prototype
Sebring 1967
Le Mans 1967

Chapter 6: Boss 302: How to Win in Trans-Am
1969 Boss 302 Mustang Production Prototype
Building the 1969 Boss 302 Race Cars
Moonlighters and the Chassis Manual

Chapter 7: Boss 429: Just Crazy and Hairy
Knudsen's Vision
The Boss Lands in Kar-Kraft's Lap
Fat Cats: The Boss 429 Cougars

Chapter 8: Other Race Cars: It Wasn't All GT 40s
X-1 Experimental Modified Sports
Can-Am G7-A
Torino Talladega/Cyclone Spoiler II
The Car and Driver Boss
Mirage Racers

Chapter 9: Prototypes and Experiments: Fun in the Shop
Mach II Experimental Sports Cars
Low Investment Driveline Mustang
Boss 429 Maverick
King Cobra
Boss 351 Mustang
Super Mach 1
Composite Mustangs
Boss 302 Maverick
Ferguson Four-Wheel Drive Special Bronco
Dune Buggy
Rumble Seat Cougar
Boss 429 Fairlane
429 CJ Boss 302
Conclusion

Chapter 10: Special Vehicles and Projects: More Than Just Race Cars
The Australian Falcons
Bunkie Knudsen's Torino Talladega
Knutsen's Runaway Boss 429
Edsel Ford's Boss 302/351 Mustang
1972 Lincoln Armored Presidential Limousine
Techna Concept
Fixed-Seat Moveable Pedal Package
1970 Shelby Mustangs

Chapter 11: The Checkered Flag: All Good Things Must End
Cancellation FactorsFinancial Arrangements
Vehicles on the Register
The Audits
The Final Word

Epilogue
The New Kar-Kraft and Continuation Mk IVs
A Final Note

Index

Details

  • Title Kar Kraft: Race Cars, Prototypes and Muscle Cars of Ford's Specialty Vehicle Program
  • Author Charlie Henry
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Hardback
  • Pages 192
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Cartech, Inc
  • Date 2017-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9781613252864 / 1613252862
  • Weight 2.15 lbs (0.98 kg)
  • Dimensions 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.8 in (25.65 x 25.65 x 2.03 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Automobile racing, Ford Motor Company - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2016045047
  • Dewey Decimal Code 629.228

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