The SHELBY AMERICAN
Winter 2016 17
TRIBUTE TO THE GODFATHER OF THE GT40
“
Not only do I feel appreciative
and honored today to share this occa-
sion with my wife Jeannie and my
family,
” said Lunn, “
but also over-
whelmed by the incredible display of
power outside. Ford GTs and Cobras.
It really is a Show of Force and I am
so happy to be a part of it
.”
Lunn will be 91 years old in April
and has begun working on a fourth
book, about the environment, substan-
tiability and future cars. “
I’m looking
forward to finishing my new book
,”
said Lunn, “
and celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the win at LeMans
with my family and friends on June
19th next year
.”
Ressler and Lunn, in the midst of a sea of horsepower. Photos by Gary Jean and Howard
Mintz.
Marty Schorr, author, photojour-
nalist, automobile historian and SAAC
member, organized a tribute to engi-
neer and designer Roy Lunn, who is
often described as the Godfather of the
GT40. It was held on December 19,
2015 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf &
Country Club in Sarasota, Florida.
The Ford GT40 MK IIs and MK
IVs were designed, engineered and de-
veloped under Roy Lunn’s direction at
Ford’s “skunk works,” Kar Kraft. Lunn
was the manager of the Advanced
Concepts Group. Following Ford’s Le-
Mans victory, he received a letter from
Ford vice president and general man-
ager, Don Frey. It said, “
I want to con-
gratulate you on your creative role in
the historic Ford victory at LeMans
and winning the World GT Champi-
onship
.”
Attending the tribute was Ford en-
gineer Neil Ressler. He was a retired
vice president and the former head of
Advanced Vehicle Technology. He later
became chairman of Jaguar Racing. In
1999 he headed Cosworth Racing and
was involved in the mid-engined
GN34 Concept sports car which
evolved into the 2005-2006 Ford GT,
the spiritual successor to the original
GT40. Ressler is a former SAAC mem-
ber and has driven his 427 Cobra at
several SAAC conventions. He retired
in 2001 after 34 years at Ford but re-
turned to join the Ford GT Team. He
drove his Ford GT to the event. “
I was-
n’t going to miss this wonderful oppor-
tunity to meet Mr. Lunn and relive
some of those glory days of winning at
LeMans,
” said Ressler.
Schorr’s recent book, “Ford Total
Performance” [
reviewed in this issue
]
includes details of Roy Lunn’s career
at Ford and Kar Kraft as well as some
history of the GT40. Nine Ford GTs
were on hand, including a rare GTX1
and CP4 (Confirmation Prototype 4)
along with nine Cobra roadsters.