Thursday, December 31, 2015

Ford J9

FORD J  G7A  Chassis J9

After the 1967 the Le Mans regulations changed without warning. That made the MkIVs obsolete. Four new chassis were already built. Ford decided to used two of them (J9 and J10) to be developed for the Can Am series.
J9 was sent to Kar Kraft and a car with an open cockpit and a complicated adjustable dual rear wing was assembled . The car was never raced but was tested all along the 1968 season. It was slow and unreliable and the project was put to an end.
The complete J9 car and the J10 chassis plus a some parts were sold to the former Shelby mechanic Charlie Agapiou for 1$.
J9 remain unraced and was kept as a spare car for the following Can Am seasons. The car has been years later restored as a MkIV coupe.

The Models:


Ford J  G7A  Chassis J9 Test Can Am 1968
(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same
J9 during testing

J9 during testing


J9 during testing

J9 during testing

J9 during testing

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Ford J8

FORD J  MkIV  Chassis J8

J8 was the last one of the MkIV prepared for Le Mans. It was entered by Holmann & Moody. Soon after completion it was sent to Le Mans where it retired after 7 hours of race. Then it was stored for a while at Kar Kraft and later donated to the Harrah collection in Reno Nevada. In 1985 when the Harrah museum was dispersed J8 was sold at auction to a private collector.

The models:


Ford J MkIV - Chassis J8 - Retired Le Mans 1967 (SOLIDO)

The same
J8 prepared for Le Mans

J8 at Le Mans

J8 with its 4 sister cars at Le Mans

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Ford J7

FORD J MkIV Chassis J7

After completion and a quick shakedown J7 was sent to Le Mans entered By Holman & Moody. It was unfortunately eliminated in an accident due to brake problems after the first half of the race. The wreck was sent back to Kar Kraft who did a temporary repair so the car could be used as a show car repainted in red like J6 the winner of Le Mans. In 1970 it was sold in its unrepaired condition, changed hands a few times and was finally restored to its Le Mans color before being donated to the Carol Shelby museum.

The Models:



Ford J MkIV - Chassis J7 - Retired Le Mans 1967 (SOLIDO)

The same
J7 racing at Le Mans

J7 at Le Mans

J7 at Le Mans

Ford J5

FORD J  MkIV Chassis J5

J5 is the first of the J chassis built for Le Mans to the MkIV specifications. It won the 24 hours race its only race  It was entered by SAI.
After Le Mans it was used as a show car before becoming a permanent exhibit at the Ford museum at Dearborn.
It can be seen from time to time at some historic event. J5 is still in its Le Mans livery and has never been restored or repainted.

The Models:


Ford J MkIV - Chassis J5 - Winner Le Mans 1967 (SOLIDO)

The same

J5 before passing the finish line

J5 with Carol Shelby

J5 in the shop

Monday, December 28, 2015

Ford J6

FORD J  MkIV  Chassis J6

J6 was the second J chassis to be built as a MkIV. It's one of the four specially built for Le Mans.
It finished 4th at Le Mans, entered by SAI. Then its whereabout until 1972 are unknown. It was given by Ford to A.J. Foyt and was repainted in red as a look  alike of the Le Mans winner. Sold in 1976 to a private collector, it can be seen in historic events in its Le Mans livery.

The Models:


Ford J MkIV Chassis J6 - 4th Le Mans 1967 (SOLIDO)

The same
J6 racing at Le Mans

J6 racing at Le Mans

J6 racing at Le Mans

J6 during practice at Le Mans

Ford J4

FORD J  (MkIV)  Chassis J4

J4 was the last prototype to be built to the original specifications. It was sent after completion (Jan. '67) to Daytona for some testing. Sent back to KarKraft it was rebuilt to MkIV specidications, painted in yellow with black stripes and tested at Kingman Arizona with good results. It was decided to send it to the 12 hours of Sebring. It proved to be a good idea as it won the race. Then it went for more testing at Daytona in preparation of Le Mans. J4 was not used again and was put in storage. In 1970 it was sold to a private collector, changed hands several times and can be seen from time to time in historic events.

The Models:


Ford J MkIV Chassis J4 - Winner Sebring 1967 (IXO)


The same


J4 racing at Sebring

J4 racing at Sebring

J4 in the pit at Sebring

J4 racing at Sebring



J4 at Sebring

J4 at Sebring with drivers B. Mc Laren & M. Andretti