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Topic starter
11/10/2023 7:10 pm
For 1966, Dan Gurney's wants a Ford branded engine for his Lola T70 Mkll platform. Who are you going to call? Harry Westlake in Rye, Essex, England. He sent him a Ford 289 V8 and got back a 305cid, 520 hp powerplant to plunk into his #30 Lola spyder for the Leguna Seca race.
The relationship between Ford men like Gurney and Shelby and Westlake Engineering seemed be very beneficial relationship for both sides.
GMP's replica of the #30 Bardahl Special is a good 20 years or so. It was not expensive so the fact that the doors and front clip are sealed wasn't a deal breaker as the build quality is excellence. It looks like the model has been reissued. I saw an ad from Walmart (of all places) advertising the model for.... $395 !!!. I don't think I paid over $100 for it back in the day,
11/10/2023 7:25 pm
It's interesting to see Westlake were based in Essex, as Ford themselves had some of their most important facilities in Essex, with European head quarters at Warley, the technical centre Dunton and of course the huge foundry plant at Dagenham.
11/10/2023 7:26 pm
Another great but obscure model brought to you by Mr. Sufficool. Take a bow Rich. I have no doubt this model, today, could fetch that kind of money. Crazy, right?
11/10/2023 8:52 pm
Fine images of this amazingly detailed model ! A really impressive diecast.
11/10/2023 10:59 pm
Thank you for reminding me of the day that my youngest brother and I met Dan Gurney at a book signing in Burbank. I don't remember the name of the store but it had lots of models and lots of books. I was so freaking enthralled with the meeting of him my brother was so cool, calm and collected.
I was not... I was in a trance by meeting someone so famous !!!
My brother, Rick, was the one that knew all of where to go and where all these famous drivers would be.
I'm not an autograph hound like my brother is but I admire him for the person he is.
I've had some of the best car shows and introductions to other cars because of my brother.
When we went to the Ford 100th birthday celebration he was already friends with Jay Mays and Jay invited him to come up and sit in the new Ford GT.
My brother was stoked and I could not believe the smile on his face when Jay invited him to come up and sit in the personal car for Ford.
We had such a great time in Detroit that year I can't believe it.
And we were only there for 5 days !!
12/10/2023 10:44 am
Love the Lola T70s in Spyder or Coupe form...I think they're just flat-out beautiful. Great history with this Dan Gurney car. These GMPs aren't the most detailed compared to today's models, but I still think they look excellent.
Mine was driven by John Surtees.
