Grand Prix Ford

nthony Pritchard has written a detailed and superbly illustrated account of the Formula 1 cars powered by the Ford DFV V8 engine. This all-conquering power unit was the result of discussions between Colin Chapman, boss of the Lotus car company, and the UK Ford Motor Company. Design, development and manufacture was entrusted to the Cosworth company in Northampton, in response to Lotus' desperate need for an engine for the 3000cc Formula 1 that came into force for 1966. Lotus had exclusive use of the DFV in 1967, its first season, when Jim Clark drove the DFV-powered Lotus 49 to four World Championship victories. Becoming available to other Formula 1 teams in 1968, adopters included McLaren and Matra. Graham Hill won the Drivers' Championship with DFV-powered Lotus cars in 1969, and drivers of DFV-powered cars won the Championship in 13 out of 16 years. Year by year the power of the DFV engine increased; new companies, notably McLaren Nicholson Engines, were set up to overhaul the DFV; and engines prepared by these companies were more powerful than those emanating from the factory.Pritchard's narrative starts with a description of the design and development of this engine, and details the successes - and failures - of every Formula 1 car powered by the DFV engine. During these years the only manufacturer to successfully challenge DFV power was Ferrari, with drivers Lauda and Scheckter winning the Drivers' Championship on three occasions. This important book is illustrated with 300 photographs, most of which come from the UK Ford Motor Company's own archives.