# Ford G7

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_G7
> Source revision: 1284415113
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Infobox racing car
| Car_name = Ford G7A<br>Ford G7B
| Category = [Group 7](/source/Group_7_(racing))
| Constructor = [Ford](/source/Ford_Motor_Company)
| Designer = [Roy Lunn](/source/Roy_Lunn)
| Team = [Agapiou Brothers Racing](/source/Agapiou_Brothers_Racing)
| Drivers = [Peter Revson](/source/Peter_Revson)<br>[John Cannon](/source/John_Cannon_(racing_driver))<br>[George Follmer](/source/George_Follmer)<br>[Jack Brabham](/source/Jack_Brabham)<br>[Lee Roy Yarbrough](/source/Lee_Roy_Yarbrough)<br>[Vic Elford](/source/Vic_Elford)
| Technical ref = <ref name="canam67"/>
| Width = <!-- Use: {{convert|XXX|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} -->
| Wheelbase = {{convert|95|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| Track = Front: {{convert|55.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br>Rear: {{convert|54.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| Engine name = [Ford](/source/Ford_Motor_Company)
| 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](/source/Overhead_valve) [V8](/source/V8_engine),
| Turbo/NA = [naturally aspirated](/source/naturally_aspirated),
| Engine position = [mid-engine](/source/mid-engine)d
| Gears = 2-speed
| Type = [automatic](/source/automatic_transmission)
| Weight = {{convert|1900|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| Tyres = [Firestone](/source/Firestone_Tire_and_Rubber_Company)<br>[Goodyear](/source/Goodyear_Tire_and_Rubber_Company)
| Debut = [1969 Can-Am](/source/1969_Can-Am_season) [Mosport Park](/source/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}} <br /> {{cvt|540-800|lbft|Nm|0}}
}}

The '''Ford G7''' is a [Can-Am](/source/Can-Am) [sports racing car](/source/sports_racing_car) that was built by [Ford](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) in 1968. Initially fitted with a {{convert|427|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford [V8 engine](/source/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](/source/Ford_GT40) chassis for [Can-Am](/source/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](/source/Jim_Hall_(racing_driver))'s [Chaparral](/source/Chaparral_Cars) Can-Am cars.<ref name="canam67"/> The car used a 2-speed [automatic gearbox](/source/automatic_gearbox), and a [torque converter](/source/torque_converter) from the [Mercury](/source/Mercury_(automobile)) and Ford [funny car](/source/funny_car)s.<ref name="canam67"/> Coupled to this transmission was a {{convert|427|cuin|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford [V8 engine](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Agapiou_Brothers_Racing) purchased the G7A, and attempted to run [Peter Revson](/source/Peter_Revson) in the Can-Am season opener, held at [Mosport Park](/source/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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> It was a similar story at [Mont-Tremblant](/source/Circuit_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 &ndash; 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](/source/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](/source/Edmonton_International_Speedway); [John Cannon](/source/John_Cannon_(racing_driver)) was selected to drive it, but the [fuel injector](/source/fuel_injector)s 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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Cannon drove for [Young-American](/source/Young-American) in the next round, held at [Mid-Ohio](/source/Mid-Ohio_Sports_Car_Course), so [George Follmer](/source/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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Follmer tried again at [Road America](/source/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 &ndash; 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](/source/Michigan_International_Speedway); in the end, [Jack Brabham](/source/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 &ndash; 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](/source/Texas_World_Speedway); 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 &ndash; 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](/source/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 &ndash; 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](/source/1970_Can-Am_season), Agapiou Brothers Racing returned to the series in the [Watkins Glen](/source/Watkins_Glen_International) 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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> [David Hobbs](/source/David_Hobbs_(racing_driver)) 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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> [Lee Roy Yarbrough](/source/Lee_Roy_Yarbrough) took the wheel of the G7A at [Road Atlanta](/source/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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; Photo Gallery |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Despite reverting to the 429 engine, [Donnybrooke](/source/Brainerd_International_Raceway) saw another engine failure, and another failure to start; this time, [Vic Elford](/source/Vic_Elford) had been driving.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Brainerd-1970-09-27.html |title=Can-Am Donnybrooke 1970 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> Cannon was back in the cockpit for [Laguna Seca Raceway](/source/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 &ndash; Race Results |publisher=Racing Sports Cars |accessdate=20 September 2013}}</ref> At the season finale, held at [Riverside](/source/Riverside_International_Raceway), 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 &ndash; 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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ford G7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_G7) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_G7?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.