Film ‘Ford vs. Ferrari’ should have been titled ‘Carroll Shelby vs. Ford’s Bureaucrats’
I love cars. I grew up during the era of Detroit’s dominance in the car industry. I grew up during a time of “muscle cars” like the Corvette Stingray and Shelby Cobra. I grew up when there were more cars on the road with a stick shift than an automatic transmission. I grew up before the panic of CO2 emissions. I grew up when cars were exclusively run on gasoline, not electric batteries.
BTW, I once owned a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible. I loved that car.
I was excited when I heard that a film was being made by 20th Century Fox about Ford and Ferrari. When it came out of course I went to see it. Here’s the official 20th Century Fox trailer.
If you love racing you will like this film. However, I believe the film should have been titled “Carroll Shelby vs. Ford’s Bureaucrats.” Here’s why:
- Racing is all about winning. Ford’s bureaucrats were more interested in global marketing than winning.
- Racing is all about having the best drivers. Ford’s bureaucrats were more interested in having “Ford drivers” rather than having the best drivers.
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans is all about drivers and cars that are both durable and dependable. I’m not sure that Ford’s bureaucrats cared about either after watching the film.
- Finally, I found the film was not true to the legends of Carroll Shelby and his two drivers, Ken Miles and Denny Hulme.
Why didn’t the best men, Ken Miles and Denny Hulme, win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966?
Watch this short video titled “8 Meters: Triumph, Tragedy and a Photo Finish at Le Mans“:
If you really really want to know the real story behind Carroll Shelby and the 24 hours of Le Mans then take the time to watch the video below titled “Carroll Shelby – The Lost Interview | Ford v Ferrari | Le Mans | GT40 | Complete Life History” published by MyClassicCarTV recorded on December 10th, 1997. MyClassicCarTV wrote:
Carroll Shelby tells all in this never-before-seen, newly released, raw & uncut interview. Shelby talks openly about his childhood, passions, early race career, Henry Ford II & Ford Motor Company, Ford v. Ferrari, Mustangs, Cobras, GT40s, Daytona Coupe, winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lee Iacocca, Ken Miles, Don Frey, John Wyer, Ray Geddes, Hal Sperlich, Pete Brock, Fred Goodell, and living in Africa.
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RELATED ARTICLE: The story behind Ford’s 1966 Le Mans victory
I owned a ’64 1/2 Shelby Mustang GT that my Dad gave me my Junior year in college (1967) as he was headed back for a 2nd tour in Vietnam. It was a convertible too and I dearly loved that car – high performance 289 w dual trumpet exhaust – wish I had never sold it when it was my turn to go to Vietnam in 1971 !
I’m looking forward to seeing this movie. There is a great, must see NETFLIX documentary (1 hr 39 min) entitled “The 24 Hour War” about the battle between the Shelby Ford GT 40 , Mark II and Mark IV and Ferrari at LeMans, the 12 hours at Sebring and the Daytona Continental and of course Carol Shelby’s role in all that.
A very captivating film that emphasizes the huge dangers to race drivers back in 50s and 60s along with all the technological advances leading to 240+ MPH speeds by mid-60s. Amazing. Also some very good insight about the drivers.