Ford G7

{{Infobox racing car | Car_name = Ford G7A Ford G7B | Category = Group 7 | Constructor = Ford | Designer = Roy Lunn | Team = Agapiou Brothers Racing | Drivers = Peter Revson John Cannon George Follmer Jack Brabham Lee Roy Yarbrough Vic Elford | Technical ref = <ref name="canam67"/> | Width =  | Wheelbase = {{convert|95|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | Track = Front: {{convert|55.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} Rear: {{convert|54.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | Engine name = Ford | Capacity = {{convert|427|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|429|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} or {{convert|496|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}}, | Configuration = 16 valve, OHV V8, | Turbo/NA = naturally aspirated, | Engine position = mid-engined | Gears = 2-speed | Type = automatic | Weight = {{convert|1900|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} | Tyres = Firestone Goodyear | Debut = 1969 Can-Am Mosport Park | Races = 15 (16 entries) | Wins = 0 | Cons_champ = 0 | Drivers_champ = 0 | Teams_champ = 0 | Poles = 0 | Fastest_laps = 0 | power = {{cvt|610-835|hp|kW|0}} {{cvt|540-800|lbft|Nm|0}} }}

The '''Ford G7''' is a Can-Am sports racing car that was built by Ford in 1968. Initially fitted with a {{convert|427|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford V8 engine, and later using {{convert|429|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|496|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} versions of the engine, the G7 was extremely unreliable and only ever finished one of the 15 races it competed in.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/Ford/G7.html |title=Ford G7 |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=23 October 2013}}</ref> In particular, it had serious issues with overheating and engine problems; the latter of which often prevented the car from even starting a race.

==Design and development== In 1968, Ford rebuilt a Mk IV Spyder chassis for Can-Am racing, and produced the G7A.<ref name="canam67">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportscars.tv/Newfiles/canamcars67.html |title=can am cars 67-8 |publisher=Sportscars.tv |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Although the new car used the Mk IV's suspension and brakes, the new bodywork included a rear wing inspired by Jim Hall's Chaparral Can-Am cars.<ref name="canam67"/> The car used a 2-speed automatic gearbox, and a torque converter from the Mercury and Ford funny cars.<ref name="canam67"/> Coupled to this transmission was a {{convert|427|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford V8 engine, capable of producing around {{convert|650|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="canam67"/> However, despite the power output, the car was amongst the heaviest on the grid, weighing in at {{convert|1900|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, and it showed little promise in its first test session; lapping 14 seconds off the lap record in a Las Vegas test.<ref name="canam67"/> Not only was it off the pace, but the engine proved incredibly fragile and unresponsive in the test; the special blocks were porous, and allowed water to seep into the oil.<ref name="canam67"/>

==Race history== ===1969=== In 1969, Agapiou Brothers Racing purchased the G7A, and attempted to run Peter Revson in the Can-Am season opener, held at Mosport Park; however, in a sign of things to come, the engine failed and he wasn't even able to start the race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Mosport-1969-06-01.html |title=Can-Am Mosport 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> It was a similar story at Mont-Tremblant; Revson was unable to start the race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Mont-Tremblant-1969-06-15.html |title=Can-Am Mont-Tremblant 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> As a result, Revson left the team, and later joined Robbins-Jefferies Racing Team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/results/Peter-Revson-USA.html?page=2 |title=All Results of Peter Revson (page 2) |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> The G7 was not used in the third round of the Can-Am series, but reappeared again for the next round, held at Edmonton; John Cannon was selected to drive it, but the fuel injectors malfunctioned after just five laps, and forced him to retire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Edmonton-1969-07-27-3097.html |title=Can-Am Edmonton 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Cannon drove for Young-American in the next round, held at Mid-Ohio, so George Follmer replaced him in the Agapiou Brothers' team; however, the engine failed again and prevented Follmer from starting the race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Mid-Ohio-1969-08-17.html |title=Can-Am Mid-Ohio 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Follmer tried again at Road America, but couldn't manage more than two laps before the transmission packed up and he retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Road_America-1969-08-31.html |title=Can-Am Road America 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> The team missed round eight altogether, before initially entering Follmer in the eighth round, held in Michigan; in the end, Jack Brabham drove the G7A, and he lasted 46 laps before he lost a wheel and retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Michigan-1969-09-28.html |title=Can-Am Michigan 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> The team then took a two-race break, before entering the final round of the season, held in Texas; Cannon had returned to the team, but engine problems yet again prevented him from starting the race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Texas-1969-11-09-3104.html |title=Can-Am Texas 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Despite the unsuccessful season, the team entered Cannon in the 200 miles of Fuji, and, for the first time ever, the G7A actually completed a race; Cannon finished second, 12.1 seconds behind the winner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Fuji-1969-11-23-2603.html |title=200 mile Fuji 1969 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref>

===1970=== Despite the poor 1969 season, and missing the first two rounds of the 1970 Can-Am season, Agapiou Brothers Racing returned to the series in the Watkins Glen round of the series; the car had a new {{convert|429|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford V8 fitted, and was driven once more by John Cannon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Watkins_Glen-1970-07-12c.html |title=Can-Am Watkins Glen 1970 – Photo Gallery |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> However, history repeated itself, as he retired once more; this time, the car overheated after 46 laps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Watkins_Glen-1970-07-12c.html |title=Can-Am Watkins Glen 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> David Hobbs was brought into the team for the next round, held at Edmonton; a water leak after just one lap forced him to retire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Edmonton-1970-07-26.html |title=Can-Am Edmonton 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> An attempt to enter Cannon at Mid-Ohio came to nothing,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Mid-Ohio-1970-08-23.html |title=Can-Am Mid-Ohio 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> and this was followed by Cannon retiring from the Road America race after 19 laps; once again, the car had overheated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Road_America-1970-08-30.html |title=Can-Am Road America 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Lee Roy Yarbrough took the wheel of the G7A at Road Atlanta, but he too suffered an engine failure, this time after 22 laps;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Road_Atlanta-1970-09-13.html |title=Can-Am Road Atlanta 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> even though a new {{convert|496|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} V8 had been installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Road_Atlanta-1970-09-13.html |title=Can-Am Road Atlanta 1970 – Photo Gallery |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Despite reverting to the 429 engine, Donnybrooke saw another engine failure, and another failure to start; this time, Vic Elford had been driving.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Brainerd-1970-09-27.html |title=Can-Am Donnybrooke 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Cannon was back in the cockpit for Laguna Seca Raceway, in the newly updated G7B; the updates made little difference to the car's reliability, and the car overheated after 50 laps, forcing him to retire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Laguna_Seca-1970-10-18.html |title=Can-Am Laguna Seca 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> At the season finale, held at Riverside, Cannon drove again, but crashed out after 14 laps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Riverside-1970-11-01.html |title=Can-Am Riverside 1970 – Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> This would prove to be the last time a G7 was used in a race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/results/Ford/G7.html |title=All Results of Ford G7 |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

G7 Category:Can-Am cars