1983 Ford Mustang IMSA GTP?

[IanGrohse]

Im looking for information about this car:
http://www.ts-slotpage.de/monogram/F...r%20-%2009.jpg


Its in the early 80s. I know it was done by SVO, using a form of of the 2.1L SVO 4 cylinder turbo engine. It had a huge tunnel.

Does anyone know anything more about htis car? Was it succesful? Did it have problems? Why is it so obscure? Considering it was around the year I was born, I kinda missed out.

[IanGrohse]

I found something:

http://gto-racing.nexenservices.com/...P_zakspeed.htm

What does that mean? Ich spreche kein Franzosisch, nur Deutsch.

[Lee Janotta]

With ux beginnings of the Eighties, Ford, conscious that the myth of the glorious GT40 starts to date seriously, seeks to remake a name in endurance by the means of championship IMSA. At the beginning of 1981, the American manufacturer gives, then, on foot a department competition, called SVO for Special Vehicle Operation. At its head, Ford places German Michael Kranefuss, the former director of the department competition of Ford Europe.
Kranefuss invites, then, German Erich Zakowski, the founder of Zakspeed, and from their association is born Miller Mustang GTX, Ford Capri Groupe 5 reconditioned in a Silhouette whose body takes as a starting point the Mustang. Registered of category GTX this Mustang will take part in championship IMSA of 1981 to 1983, with more or less of success.
_
But in 1982 it becomes obvious that the capacities of this car more than are limited vis-a-vis the first GTP, especially from the aerodynamic point of view.
Then at the end of the year, Kranefuss benefits from its statute and its experiment to make come to the USA all the Zakspeed team. In order to become the 100% American German stable melts the branch Zakspeed the USA which settles in Livonia (Michigan) in buildings rented with the Jack Roush Racing.
_
In February 1983, the two stables form Zakspeed/Roush and, consequently, _ the things will start to take form. _
Ian Dawson is named TEAM manager, Bob Riley, designer head and Alan Smith chapeaute the whole.
After some tergiversations Ford decides that its first GTP will be a front engine car, asserting that that represents the best possible choice given that the American firm had hitherto never built machine of race to back engine.
_
On its side Zakspeed already lays out of a prototype any aluminum with front engine. This one, which is in Germany, was studied to answer thorough aerodynamic criteria which generates a good trail. _ Al Turner, technical director, cross the Atlantic in order to give themselves an idea of what the car is worth.
Then the latter is brought back to the USA in order to pass from the tests out of blower. These tests showing good provisions aéro indeed. Ford decides, then, to start the realization of its future GTP on the basis of this astonishing machine at the end of the year 82.
_
Bob Riley takes care of the drawing of the car while Ford Aerospace provides the components out of carbon fibre for the construction of the frame which is produced at Roush/Protofab. Mechanical side the idea is to use the 4 cylinder 2,1 liters turbo of Ford but finally, for the first times, the choice is made on the 4 cylinders 1,7 Zakspeed liters resulting from Capri Turbo Groups 5 whose maximum power for _ the races sprints rises with 550-600 CH.
_
Mustang GTP is revealed, June 2, 1983, in Dearborn right before the G.P. of Strait of Formula 1.
Little after this presentation the team Kranefuss begins the first tests on track from the car with Bobby Rahal at the wheel. That is not done without sorrow but Ford engages two Mustang in Budweiser 500 on the circuit of Road America. Klaus Ludwig makes team with Tim Coconis while Bobby Rahal is shouldered by Geoff Brabham. Both Mustang are qualified in top of grid. _ The race which proceeds under the rain is favourable with the two Ford prototypes. _
And after 115 turns the organizers decide to stop the race giving the victory to Mustang GTP of Ludwig/Coconis in front of Datsun ZX Turbo GTO of Devendorf/Adamowicz and second Ford GTP of Rahal/Brabham. But it will be there the single victory of Mustang GTP 1,7 liters turbo in IMSA.
The two following ones and last tests of season 83 bring, indeed, only disillusion. In Pocono as in Daytona none of the two cars finish and for championship 84 it is decided to change engine.
_
In addition to the two travelling frames a third is secretly built in the buildings of the Jack Roush Racing. This frame is equipped with traditional V8 Roush. But Erich Zakowski, which discovers the machine with surprise, does not want to intend to speak about this project not more than it does not accept that Ford SVO does not turn to Cosworth. The principal defects of Mustang GTP lie in the cruel lack of reliability of its power plant. _
But the engine alone is not solely causes some since Bob Riley is appropriate that the carbon fibre frame is not either free from reproach.
In fact the problem comes owing to the fact that Ford Aerospace, which has in load the construction of these frames, does not have any idea of the physical constraints which undergoes a racing racing car on the track.
_
For the season 84 both Mustang GTP from now on are propelled by the 4 cylinders 2,1 liters turbo based on Ford BDA (Belt Drive Auxiliary) worked out, at the origin, for the rally at the end of the Sixties. Given for 650 CH the engine, always placed at front, is coupled with a Hewland box placed at the rear.
Always drawn by Bob Riley Mustang GTP version 84 are carried out, as in 1983, starting from the most advanced techniques of construction of Ford Aerospace calling upon carbon. _
In the colors of 7-Eleven both Mustang GTP/Zakspeed will take part in eleven races, being fixed price for the tests of endurance of Daytona and Sebring.
Ford which begins its season with only one machine controlled by Klaus Ludwig knows several successive abandonments in Miami, Road Atlanta and Riverside.
Ludwig is joined by Bob Wollek in the second car of the TEAM as of Laguna Seca. But there as in Charlotte, Watkins Glen and Portland Mustang GTP essuient of new failures. In August Ludwig obtains the best classification of the season with a fifth place with Sears Point.
The following test with Road America sees the German pilot making team with Bobby Rahal in the same car which is withdrawn at the end of 83 turns after having left the third place on the grid. Two cars are committed in Michigan but both must give up. At the time of the finale with Daytona Ludwig and Tom Gloy hang the fifth place whereas second Mustang with the hands of Brabham stops after 15 loops.
_
At the end of the season it is decided to give up the concept of front engine prototype. Mustang GTP is not any more and for championship 85 Ford Probe GTP will take over, with more success.



When in doubt, use Altavista to translate.

[RacingManiac]

F/R layout...interesting....and this is GTP too, which means ground effect?

[H16]

Don't forget the Zakspeed ran Ford C100, the short lived attempt to build a Group C car again.