FORD

G7

In 1968, Ford rebuilt a Mk IV Spyder chassis for Can-Am racing, and produced the G7A.[1] 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.[1] The car used a 2-speed automatic gearbox, and a torque converter from the Mercury and Ford funny cars.[1] Coupled to this transmission was a 427 cu in (6,997 cc) Ford V8 engine, capable of producing around 650 hp (485 kW; 659 PS).[1] However, despite the power output, the car was amongst the heaviest on the grid, weighing in at 1,900 lb (862 kg), and it showed little promise in its first test session; lapping 14 seconds off the lap record in a Las Vegas test.[1] 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.[1]