Ten Questions with:

[dbk]

I've always thought it would be interesting for owners to get a chance on the net to get answers to any questions they have from various members of the team. I don't recall ever seeing that done very mcuh on the internet. Some of them no longer work for Ford so they can give some real truthful perspectives on the program and what went on behind the scenes. The guys that still do work for FMC can still do some talking too. :biggrin

We're always trying to bring a bit of the forum to the Rally, so this is a way to bring something from the Rally to the forum. It's also something to keep some content fresh, and actually from the mouths of the people on the team.

We'll see what kind of response this gets, moderate down to ten good questions and see what interesting information the gentleman from the program have to offer. Maybe this goes nowhere, maybe it becomes a regular thing where we can run down any number of the guys from the program and get some cool information.

Since he's easily accessible and I see him almost every day, let's start with:

Ford GT Chief Designer Camilo Pardo

So how about it? If you have a question, general or specific, GT related or otherwise, please send it to:

tenquestions@fordgtforum.com

 

[Shadowman]

How about this as a means to get the proverbial ball rolling;

Camilo when reflecting back upon the project there had to be many turning points however of all of them which “single” item was changed because of manufacturing issues and or cost that you wish had remained?

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[Kayvan]

1. How did you choose price? (break even, <= F360)

2. Were any colors left out: orange, dark green?

3. What were the biggest cost savers: Focus column, mirror toggles, rubber matts?

4. How many were crash tested?

5. What was decision process on sub-woofer....easy, hard, Viper influence?

6. Which dealer sold the most?

7. What part got cut: engraved gas lid, seat buttons, ported a/c vents, dual fogs, old style wheels, tool kit, billet vents?

8. Whats the highest mileage on an OEM test engine?

9. How many cars are still on MSO / not sold?

10. Did it really do 218mph at Nardo test run?

 

[STORMCAT]

1. How did you choose price? (break even, <= F360)

2. Were any colors left out: orange, dark green?

3. What were the biggest cost savers: Focus column, mirror toggles, rubber matts?

4. How many were crash tested?

5. Was the GT project ever at risk?

6. Which dealer sold the most?

7. Is there a black box?

8. Whats the highest mileage on an OEM test engine?

9. How many cars are still on MSO / not sold?

10. Did it really do 218mph at Nardo test run?

The Nardo car ran 211.and some change on the test instruments. I have never heard the claim of 218 MPH

 

[fjpikul]

Who was the hardest person on the GT team to work with? Who was the easiest? How many women involved, and how many of them did you do it with?

 

[MAD IN NC]

Who was the hardest person on the GT team to work with? Who was the easiest? How many women involved, and how many of them did you do it with?

:bang:slap it's obvious - you have been trained to be a sexual harasser Franky - Good One!

 

[Specracer]

I was told, that GY was the only one willing to certify the tire to 205. They also wanted to BE the tire, so an insider might be able to share how the politics went down.

thank you
always wondered why we "ended" up with these--lol

ps--happy thanksgiving everyone

sam/kay----new jersey

 

[Indy GT]

Dave, I think "ask the insider" is a good thread for owners to throw out questions, but you might have to give the owners topic boundaries to ask of say Camilo. The questions listed so far cover a wide range of topics, some of which may not be within the insider-of-the-day's knowledge base.

Or perhaps all questions are harvested and you parcel them out to the most appropriate insider for comment.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Though there are differing opinions on this, 'majority opinion supposedly is one has to remove the front fenders to replace the windshield on a FGT. Was there some design necessity that DICTATED that had to be the case, or was this just a design oversight?

 

[donnymac]

How about this as a means to get the proverbial ball rolling;

Camilo when reflecting back upon the project there had to be many turning points however of all of them which “single” item was changed because of manufacturing issues and or cost that you wish had remained?

Takes care

Shadowman

Would like to hear this answer also.

 

[shelbyelite]

6. Which dealer sold the most?

Do you have to ask that question? ME! :biggrin

 

[scode]

Do you have to ask that question? ME! :biggrin

I think I sold the most when they were new Shelby. I delivered 9 new and 1 B-lot "Ford exec bought pp1 vin 005 back in the day.:cheers

 

[MR2Race]

1. How did you choose price? (break even, <= F360)


10. Did it really do 218mph at Nardo test run?

The Real Story:

The truth is in the Target 200 Video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKOtbmV5Adk

I was the Data Geek at the test. And we used a V-box GPS Speedo to document MPH.
And it is hard to cheat the satellite network.

211.8 MPH is the actual number (That with CP15 completely factory intent stock).
And as I remember it had nearly 30K miles on the clock.

I also used a Pi Research (brand name) data logger to document all other critical parameters.
Just like we did during all on car testing.

 

[Kayvan]

Ah ha,

211.8mph

I have been known to be inverse dislexic in the past....luckily I get the outer numbers right and it all rounds out

 

[RALPHIE]

6. Which dealer sold the most?

I believe Mossy Ford in San Diego sold 20 new ones; Lone Star in Houston around 18 or 19. Subject to verification by Ford....

 

[06fordgt]

did Ford ever consider using EFI webers as part of the retro look?
why was the exhaust not the bundle of snake design?

 

[ATM empty]

My question for Camilo: When the Ford GT moved from Design/Test to production - What was left on the cutting room floor that you would have liked to seen included? :cheers

 

[Kayvan]

I heard Lone Star too on most sold.

I bet if you rank who sells the most F-150s; same dealer will be highest GT seller.

 

[Indy GT]

The Real Story:

The truth is in the Target 200 Video.

I was the Data Geek at the test. And we used a V-box GPS Speedo to document MPH.
And it is hard to cheat the satellite network.

211.8 MPH is the actual number (That with CP15 completely factory intent stock).
And as I remember it had nearly 30K miles on the clock.

Alex, thanks as always for the inside data on this feat. I have a DVD copy of Mark's Vmax run he shared with the attendes at Rally II but the Vbox speed readout is blurred due to the car vibrations at 200+ and is difficult or nearly impossible to read the numbers.

 

[Mark McGowan]

212 mph and other stuff

Here is some PI data from the high speed testing. Note this is PI data so speed is on the high side. The reason we went with the Focus column is that it has tilt and telescoping, dual stalks and good for modal vibration. It is a very good column no matter what car it is installled in. We talked to Michelin very very early on but Goodyear wanted to be on the car and made sure they got the business.