Although Ford dealers had expressed concern about their ability to sell the 5000 Sierra RS Cosworths required to get the car homologated into the FIA’s Group A category, customers couldn’t…
Read MoreTowards the end of 1987, a small group of Jaguar engineers began work on a road-going successor to the C and D-types that had won the Le Mans 24 Hours five times between 1951 and…
Read MoreDespite having been arguably the most consistent supporter of Prototype and GT racing during the second half of the 20th century, no other manufacture simultaneously had such a destructive impact…
Read MoreAnnounced in February 1987, the second generation Sierra was conceived as a more conventionally-styled successor to the avant garde, highly aerodynamic original that had in turn replaced the long…
Read MoreOn April 28th 1996 Porsche showed up at Le Mans Pre-Qualifying with a new car that went completely against the spirit, if not the letter, of the GT1 regulations. To stimulate manufacturer…
Read MoreAlthough the McLaren F1 was never designed with racing in mind, a GTR competition version was eventually created as the result of pressure applied by existing and potential customers. This first…
Read MoreAlthough company founder Colin Chapman had attempted to move Lotus further upmarket during the 1970s, his “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy was still evident in models like the Esprit…
Read MoreAt the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993, Aston Martin unveiled two of the most significant pieces of machinery in its history. Unsurprisingly, the gorgeous straight six-powered DB7 stole all the…
Read MoreWhen Lotus unveiled the Elise at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995, it gave the firm a much-needed shove in the right direction. Although the long-running Esprit and outgoing front…
Read MoreShortly after the FIA decided that Group B would be dropped on safety grounds (mid-way through the 1986 season), Ford abandoned their expensive RS200 programme. From 1987, Group A…
Read MoreHaving taken a majority shareholding in Aston Martin during September 1987, the Ford Motor Company assumed full control in 1991. By the time Aston Martin was solely under Ford’s stewardship…
Read MoreLotus unveiled the Type 111 Elise at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995 and production began nine months later in June 1996. Thanks to rave reviews, handsome looks and a competitive…
Read MoreIn September 1987, the Ford Motor Company purchased a 75% stake in Aston Martin Lagonda from Victor Gauntlett, Tim Hearley and Peter Livanos. The American firm then took full control in 1991.
Read MoreSoon after General Motors acquired Lotus in 1986, executives from the two organisations decided to embark on a mutually beneficial image-building project. The plan was to create a machine similar to…
Read MoreOnce Elise production was underway, Lotus started to develop a potential road-legal racing variant dubbed the Sprint. There was clearly some demand for a faster Elise, but the Sprint was…
Read MoreAt the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995, Lotus unveiled a super-lightweight two-seat roadster to replace the ageing M100 Elan. Known as Elise, it took the firm back to company founder…
Read MoreAston Martin’s V8 engine was developed to replace the straight six that had been around in one shape or another since 1949. After making its debut in a Lola T70 Mk3 GT at Le Mans in 1967, the…
Read MoreHaving successfully managed Jaguar’s European Touring Car Championship effort with the XJS between 1982 and ‘84 (a programme that yielded 16 wins and the 1984 Driver’s title), Tom Walkinshaw…
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