In 2003 I proclaimed the rebirth of Detroit. This was primarily induced by the release of the gorgeous Ford GT to celebrate Ford’s centenary. The Ford GT harped strongly back to the glory years at Le Mans in 1966 and thereafter. The timeless story of the GT40 convinced me that the city I so desperately wanted to bloom had finally the revenant it was looking for.
Not until last year, Le Mans stayed low on my radar. I was occupied with being heartbroken year after year as Ferrari failed at Formula One and I couldn’t find the energy to watch another race series and pick the wrong horse. I would follow Facebook feeds of my friends and the news but that was about it. Had you asked me about the different classes that race in that endurance event, I would have guessed wrongly.
Love, Lineage and LeMans
But in 2015, I happened to be near Stuttgart and falling badly in love with Porsche due to its sheer proximity. In that state of blind love, I started closely following the development of the 919H and it is steady march towards the Le Mans. Its debut in 2014 was impressive but fell short of ultimate glory. In 2015, however, the mood was different. The Porsche museum opened its doors and I flocked to it, pushing through a crowd, to find myself a seat next to two teenagers. As the clock ticked its way to 24 hours, it was becoming apparent that Porsche was about to pull off the incredible and secure 1st and 2nd place in the LMP1 category. And lo behold, very soon the museum handed out free beer to celebrate the feat and I was hooked to Le Mans endurance racing.
One, to rule us all
And now in 2016, I am caught in the whirlwind of history repeating itself. The pictures of the new Ford GT had me salivating long before I saw her in reality. That was a manifestation of function and art in the pursuit of pure performance. The engineering on that car was fascinating. The fuselage-like build of the car; the hidden inlets in the arched fenders; the exhaust that fumed through tail lights; the active aero and the suspension; the clear lineage to the GT40 and humble V6 EcoBoost spurting out 600hp on a body that celebrated lightness like the lotuses of the years past. It was a homologation of all things fast and all things gorgeous. My eyes welled up. It had been a while since I felt about a car so strong.
What make the car even more special are her humble blue collar roots. At the front of a car, a simple blue oval logo says it is a Ford. The same marque that stems out of antiquated cubicles in Dearborn. The same car maker makes pickup trucks and small hatchbacks for a living. My own ST boasts of an EcoBoost engine. This is engineering that drives home on broken interstates. There is none of the European sophistication in Detroit. The offices aren’t made of glass and white tile flooring. People dress in khakis and the engineers drink canned soda. This car is an example of what great automotive minds produce when they set out with a defined purpose.
This weekend was her debut. And she had transmission woes. Just like the Porsche, the start has been less than ideal. It is quite likely that at Le Mans this year, she doesn’t come home with the accolades. But regardless of that, what Ford has achieved here, is an explicit call to arms. This car is the business. I just know it. And even if she doesn’t end up reviving a city, she has made me want to have an old school poster on my bedroom wall so bad.
I just hope the missus understands.
