Go Like Hell Summary

“The battle between Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans wasn’t just about cars; it was a fight of culture, ego, and ambition.”

1. A Determined Leader Rescues Ford from Decline

Henry Ford II took over a failing company, navigating it out of a financial downfall in the 1940s. His approach focused on modernization and regaining consumer trust.

Ford’s founder, Henry Ford, was resistant to change, which allowed competitors like Chevrolet to gain an edge. By the time Henry Ford II, also known as "The Deuce," took command, the company was plagued by financial ruin, poor management, and outdated ideas.

Henry Ford II prioritized modernizing operations, revamping the brand’s image, and making bold decisions to return the company to prominence. Cars became symbols of transformation, speed, and freedom, especially in the post-WWII car craze. The new interstate highways beckoned American families and veterans, increasing demand for attractive, powerful vehicles.

His determination pushed Ford's engineers to create cars that could compete with the best in the market, including Chevrolet’s Corvette. This resolve laid the groundwork for battles, not just in sales, but on the racing tracks.

Examples

• Edsel Ford’s death, coupled with Henry Ford’s poor leadership, weakened the business.
• New infrastructure like highways fueled a boom in car culture.
• Henry Ford II introduced the "Corvette killer" project to win back Ford’s prestige.

2. Enzo Ferrari’s Obsession with Racing

Enzo Ferrari built a legacy through his relentless passion for racing and magnificent car designs that dominated the European scene.

From witnessing his first race as a child in 1909 to crafting iconic race cars in his Modena factory, Ferrari was consumed by speed and competition. His early work with Alfa Romeo gave him technical and racing experience, and soon, he founded his own company through sheer determination.

Though Ferrari became a dominant force in Grand Prix and endurance races, fatal crashes marred the reputation of both the sport and his creations. The very design of European racecourses – narrow, twisty public roads – made these events physically demanding for both car and driver. Yet Ferrari’s cars, known for their agility and power, regularly outperformed rivals.

Still, Ferrari’s business was fragile. Every dollar earned from selling consumer cars went back into perfecting his race cars, showing how his priority was never profit but victory on the track.

Examples

• Ferrari’s cars won numerous Grand Prix titles and endurance races in the 1940s and 1950s.
• The 1957 Mille Miglia crash, involving a Ferrari car, killed 12 spectators, highlighting the dangers of the sport.
• Enzo Ferrari refused to compromise control of his racing division during business negotiations.

3. Ford Enters the Racing Arena

Breaking away from a government resolution, Ford embraced the profitable world of car racing in 1962, recognizing its potential for massive sales.

Following a federal safety resolution in 1957, American carmakers avoided racing promotion to distance themselves from the dangers associated with it. However, racing’s surging popularity made the profit opportunity hard to ignore. Ford publicly exited the agreement, fully embracing its connection to racetrack glory with its "Total Performance" campaign.

The shift led Ford to collaborate with Carroll Shelby, a former racer turned car designer, whose Cobra was already defeating rival Chevrolet on American tracks. Shelby’s expertise breathed new energy into Ford’s vision, signaling their intention to conquer foreign races.

Racing victories became a marketing strategy. Popular wisdom was that a Sunday win translated to rising sales on Monday, making Ford increasingly invested in global competition.

Examples

• Ford's Cobra, designed by Carroll Shelby, outperformed the Corvette Stingray.
• NASCAR events like Daytona saw 14 Ford cars competing in 1963.
• The “Total Performance” ads painted Ford as a dynamic, customer-driven brand.

4. Ford’s Broken Deal with Ferrari Spurred Rivalry

Negotiations for a Ford-Ferrari partnership collapsed, igniting Ford’s mission to defeat Ferrari at their own game – Le Mans.

Ford attempted to purchase Ferrari in 1963, hoping to address consumer sales while allowing Enzo to maintain control of racing operations. Just as the deal seemed close, Ferrari pulled away, unwilling to sacrifice decision-making power over their race teams. Many suggest Ferrari used Ford as leverage to negotiate a better arrangement with Fiat.

The sudden fallout enraged Henry Ford II. Determined to avenge his family’s honor and company’s pride, Ford resolved to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, the most famous race Ferrari had ruled for years. This rivalry became a defining moment in the world of motorsports.

Examples

• Negotiations broke down due to Ford’s demand for control over Ferrari’s racers.
• Italy's media framed Ford’s bid as an attack on Italian pride, favoring Ferrari’s independence.
• Henry Ford II vowed to defeat Ferrari as a personal vendetta.

5. The Initial Failure of Ford’s GT40

Competing at Le Mans required specialized vehicles that could withstand 24 hours of punishment, but Ford’s first attempt fell short.

Ford’s initial entry into the endurance racing scene came with the GT40, a prototype that combined American power with European components. It wasn’t long before its weaknesses, including its transmission and cooling system, became apparent, especially under the harsh demands of Le Mans. Both Ford entries in 1964 exited the race within five hours.

This failure exposed Ford’s lack of experience in endurance racing. The GT40 was fast, but meeting Le Mans’ challenges demanded more than speed. Learning from this bitter experience pushed Ford to rethink its approach thoroughly.

Examples

• The GT40’s transmission, sourced from Ferrari’s hometown, failed early on.
• Le Mans straightaways required brakes capable of handling rapid deceleration from 200 mph to 35 mph.
• Unprepared testing led to the GT40’s limited durability.

6. Ken Miles and the Evolution of the GT40

Under the leadership of Carroll Shelby, the GT40 became a refined competitor, thanks to detailed adjustments and relentless testing.

Carroll Shelby joined Ford’s Le Mans endeavor after the GT40’s initial failure, and his skill transformed the vehicle, aided by mechanic Ken Miles. Shelby’s team reworked the car’s aerodynamics, added new brakes, and trimmed its weight to improve performance. Ford's investment in an advanced engine-testing system simulated Le Mans conditions to ensure reliability.

Shelby’s adjustments bore fruit when the refined GT40 triumphed in the 1966 races at Daytona and Sebring, with Ken Miles at the wheel. These wins fueled Ford’s confidence heading into Le Mans.

Examples

• Shelby emphasized improving airflow to counteract overheating.
• Ford's computer-based engine stress tests ran continuously for over 40 hours.
• Winning Daytona and Sebring put Ken Miles in the running for a triple crown.

7. The Controversial Finish of Le Mans 1966

At Le Mans 1966, Ford finally toppled Ferrari, but the result left Ken Miles and fans questioning the fairness of victory.

Ford sought a PR-perfect finish for Le Mans 1966, orchestrating a three-car crossing as a symbol of dominance. Ken Miles, despite his speed, followed orders to slow down for a photo finish. This allowed Bruce McLaren’s car, which had technically traveled slightly farther due to its starting position, to be declared the winner.

Miles’s historic triple crown opportunity slipped away due to this bewildering decision. Though Ford achieved commercial and competitive success, doubts about its integrity lingered.

Examples

• Ford’s dominance over Ferrari became evident during the rainy overnight laps.
• Miles set a new lap record despite early car issues.
• McLaren’s first-place award caused an enduring debate among racing enthusiasts.

8. Tragedy Struck Ford’s Team After Their Victory

Ken Miles’s untimely death during a test shattered the team and left a legacy of "what-ifs."

Just months after Le Mans 1966, Miles died in a crash while testing Ford’s new J Car. His loss brought grief to teammates and family, ending the meteoric rise of a driver who had transformed from an unknown mechanic to a racing legend.

Miles’s death also became a reminder of the dangers inherent in the high-stakes racing world. Shelby championed a scholarship in his name, ensuring that Miles’s contribution wouldn’t be forgotten.

Examples

• Miles’s crash reduced the J Car to ashes, leaving its malfunction mysterious.
• His son witnessed the fatal accident alongside Ford team members.
• Shelby honored Miles through a mechanics scholarship project.

9. Ferrari Never Recovered at Le Mans

Though Ferrari had a temporary rebound, Ford’s victory ended its dominance over endurance racing.

Ferrari won the 1967 Daytona race, reclaiming some pride against Ford. However, their grip on Le Mans faltered permanently. Struggling financially, Enzo Ferrari later sold half of his company to Fiat, marking the end of an era.

Ford’s achievements invigorated its brand identity worldwide. While the rivalry ended, the lessons from this high-octane showdown shaped the future of motorsports and automotive design.

Examples

• Ferrari’s triple-win at Daytona mirrored Ford’s 1966 Le Mans celebration.
• By 1969, Ferrari partnered with Fiat due to financial strain.
• Ford’s repeat victory at Le Mans 1967 solidified its global reputation.

Takeaways

1. Focus on relentless preparation and learning from failure; it sets the stage for remarkable success.
2. Invest in key talent and empower creative minds to innovate with bold ideas.
3. Balance ambition and integrity; achieving your goal shouldn’t come at the cost of fairness and teamwork.