Introduction
Summary of the book Go Like Hell by A. J. Baime. Let us start with a brief introduction of the book. Imagine stepping back in time to an era when cars were not just machines of transport but roaring beasts that captured hearts, stirred dreams, and sparked dangerous rivalries. Picture a world where track deaths were alarmingly common, where daring drivers navigated tight corners at impossible speeds, and where two legendary carmakers fought like ancient warriors for dominance. This book takes you on a journey through the tumultuous 1960s, when Ford and Ferrari locked horns in a high-stakes battle that played out on the most fearsome racetrack of all: Le Mans. It’s a story of men who risked their lives to push boundaries, of visionary leaders who gambled fortunes for victory, and of brilliant engineers who crafted cars that soared past ordinary limits. Open these pages and enter a realm where speed, ambition, and courage collide head-on, leaving you breathless for the next turn.
Chapter 1: How Henry Ford II Transformed a Struggling Automaker into a Racing Icon During America’s Automotive Fever.
In the years following World War II, the United States was caught up in an extraordinary national obsession with cars. Highways crisscrossed the land, military pilots were back home yearning for speed, and young people flocked to drag strips for thrilling spectacles of horsepower and daring. It was a perfect storm for those who had the vision to harness this growing love of automobiles. Yet the Ford Motor Company, once a pioneering name in car manufacturing, had slipped badly. When Henry Ford II took over in 1945, he inherited a troubled enterprise weighed down by outdated ideas and stubborn internal policies. Chevrolet was stealing the American heart with modern cars and a lively reputation, while Ford struggled to even keep its wheels turning. The country’s accelerating car craze demanded swift change, and a new leader emerged, ready to steer Ford into a future fueled by ambition.
Henry Ford II, often called the Deuce, carried more than just a famed surname. He carried the wounds of watching his father, Edsel Ford, labor under the oppressive shadow of his grandfather, the original Henry Ford. Edsel had long dreamt of modernizing the company, trimming away old-fashioned notions and embracing new designs. Yet the elder Henry Ford’s refusal to trust modern accounting practices or new styling concepts had put the business in dire trouble. By the time Henry Ford II assumed control, the company was not just losing money—it was bleeding it. Executive mismanagement, outdated models, and painful family tragedies forced him to act swiftly and decisively. Failure was not an option. He needed to restore Ford’s strength, reawaken its competitive spirit, and ensure it would never again linger as a distant second to its rivals.
The timing was both challenging and promising. America was fascinated by flashy, powerful cars that roared along highways connecting big cities and small towns. Veterans skilled in mechanics and engineering, and teenagers enthralled by loud engines and eye-catching designs, formed a massive market hungry for innovation. Chevrolet, meanwhile, had established dominance with attention-grabbing models like the Corvette. This rising trend left Ford no choice but to respond. Henry Ford II understood that selling cars required excitement, character, and a willingness to break free from the past. He inherited a legacy—one intertwined with an iconic brand name—that demanded he bring forth cars capable of capturing the public’s admiration. And the best way to do that, he realized, was to build something so astonishing that America would forget Ford’s slump and fall in love with its products all over again.
The Deuce knew that to capture hearts, Ford needed to enter the world of speed and competition. With highways extending coast to coast, racing had grown wildly popular, from small-town drag contests to major events like Indianapolis. Winning a celebrated race meant more than trophies—it meant sales and a shining reputation. The phrase win on Sunday, sell on Monday summed it up perfectly: performance on the track translated directly into trust on the showroom floor. To get there, Henry Ford II aimed to deliver a machine that could humble the celebrated Corvette, reviving Ford’s credibility. His task was colossal, but the payoff could be enormous. With a determined gaze on the horizon, he stepped on the accelerator, ready to guide Ford from the brink of irrelevance back into the fast lane of American automotive glory.
Chapter 2: How Enzo Ferrari’s Passion Shaped a Racing Empire Amid Europe’s Deadly Speed Trials.
Across the Atlantic, a very different story was unfolding in Europe’s world of racing. There, winding roads and narrow circuits provided a deadly and dramatic arena where men pushed machines to their absolute limits. At the center of this stage stood Enzo Ferrari, a figure who embodied the soul of the sport. As a boy of just eleven, he had watched cars roar by with fearless drivers at the wheel, and from that moment on, speed gripped his heart. Through personal hardships and wartime challenges, he transformed his fascination into a reality, working first for Alfa Romeo, then eventually creating the iconic Ferrari brand. In Italy, the name Ferrari soon became synonymous with craftsmanship, agility, and daring—a team that carved its own path on challenging European courses.
Enzo Ferrari’s cars emerged from modest workshops, where skilled mechanics hand-shaped metal and tuned engines to perfection. These machines took on legendary races that twisted through public roads and dangerous corners. Unlike the wide, purpose-built American tracks, European routes were often multi-purpose roads, still open to the world just hours before a race began. Drivers risked their lives on every lap, and the audience knew it. Danger added a strange, magnetic appeal. Fatal crashes were heartbreakingly common, and spectators occasionally suffered too when cars flew off course. Yet the allure of speed and glory was unshakable. Drivers became heroes and martyrs, racing through rain, nightfall, and exhaustion just to claim victory.
By the mid-twentieth century, Ferrari cars were winning prestigious Grand Prix races and endurance events alike. But each triumph was shadowed by grim statistics: a frightening percentage of racers never made it through their careers unscathed. Such was the nature of the sport in this era. Racing was breathtakingly exciting yet perilous, with technology struggling to outpace the raw danger. Enzo Ferrari himself faced inquiries and investigations after terrible crashes claimed dozens of lives. Still, no wrongdoing stuck to him. He built exceptional machines—sturdy, swift, and graceful. The risk came with the territory, and both drivers and fans accepted it as part of the spectacle.
The result was a culture both exhilarating and tragic. Ferrari’s red cars, adorned with the famous prancing horse, became symbols of Italian pride and engineering prowess. The legend of Ferrari grew with every trophy, while the name struck awe into the hearts of competitors. At the height of his influence, Enzo Ferrari stood at the pinnacle of racing’s elite. His team, shaped by tradition and boundless passion, came to dominate Europe’s most intense competitions. Yet as success rose, the world watched and wondered: how far could they push the limits before something, or someone, would have to yield? In this dangerous ballet of speed, Ferrari was king, but for how long?
Chapter 3: Why Ford Chose to Challenge Racing’s Taboos and Spark a New Era of Speed.
In the late 1950s, the American government tried to keep major car manufacturers from openly embracing racing. After all, the sport had earned a bloody reputation, and high-profile fatalities scared corporate leaders who feared terrible publicity. A safety resolution in 1957 kept Ford, Chevrolet, and others at arm’s length from official support of racing teams. But the charm of motorsport and the enormous marketing potential behind it were too tempting. As the racing craze surged, fans poured into tracks in greater numbers than they filled baseball stadiums. Car companies realized that victory at a race could boost sales dramatically. The old saying win on Sunday, sell on Monday gained new meaning as the public’s hunger for performance cars intensified.
While officially bound by the safety resolution, certain companies began finding secretive routes to stay involved. Chevrolet discreetly backed teams, ensuring the Corvette kept shining on racetracks. Ford, watching from the sidelines, knew this was no time to remain quiet. On June 11, 1962, Ford publicly withdrew from the resolution, stepping out of the shadows and into the limelight of competitive racing. They wasted no time launching a bold campaign called Total Performance, which promised buyers that Ford’s engineering prowess would be proven at real races under real conditions, not just marketing slogans and glossy ads.
Almost immediately, Ford’s newly energized approach bore fruit. Their Galaxie 500 model, stuffed with a mighty 427 cubic inch engine, proved itself by surpassing 160 miles per hour on the track. Victories at prestigious events like the Daytona 500 followed, and the company proudly splashed headlines and pictures of their success on newspaper pages. They wanted customers to believe that buying a Ford was investing in the same ingenuity that propelled these powerful machines to the winner’s circle. Racing was no longer a distant and forbidden frontier—it was a direct route to capturing imaginations and wallets.
Among the most remarkable contributors to Ford’s racing resurgence was Carroll Shelby, a former Air Force pilot and race car driver from East Texas. Known for his gutsy charm and mechanical wizardry, Shelby took a small investment from Ford and created the Cobra, a sleek, lightning-fast rival to the Corvette Stingray. This move electrified the racing scene. Suddenly, Ford’s name was whispered with respect, and the Deuce realized that by partnering with men like Shelby, they could craft cars that not only performed but inspired. Now, having rejoined the race, Ford stood at the starting line of a grand new era, ready to sprint ahead at breakneck speeds.
Chapter 4: How a Broken Deal with Ferrari Turned Ford’s Dreams into a Vengeful Obsession.
While Ford was gaining momentum in America, Ferrari continued to reign supreme in Europe. The famed Italian team conquered the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times, their cars darting through rain-soaked nights and finishing line after merciless line. But in the early 1960s, cracks began to appear. Tragedies struck. Famous drivers lost their lives behind Ferrari’s wheels. Shocking crashes claimed spectators too, shaking even the bravest fans. Internally, Ferrari’s ranks experienced mutiny in the Palace Revolt of 1961, when several top lieutenants parted ways with the Iron Commander, Enzo Ferrari himself. Whispers emerged that the great Ferrari might be willing to sell.
When Henry Ford II heard these rumors, he saw a golden opportunity. If Ford could buy Ferrari, they would instantly gain European prestige and an unbeatable racing department. Negotiations progressed, papers were drawn up, and it seemed that the Deuce and Il Commendatore were poised to join forces. Yet when the time came to sign, Enzo Ferrari abruptly backed out. Some said it was a clever trick to sweeten his deal with Fiat. Others believed he simply refused to relinquish control over his beloved racing program. Whatever the reason, the collapse of this deal infuriated Henry Ford II.
The Deuce felt humiliated. He believed Ferrari had played him for a fool. In response, he vowed a spectacular form of revenge: if Ferrari would not join him, then Ford would beat Ferrari on the racetrack—specifically at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, a contest Ferrari dominated. To Ford, this mission was personal. He wanted to show the world that his company, once considered dusty and old-fashioned, could out-engineer and out-perform the European titan. He poured vast resources into this quest, assembling top engineers, designers, and drivers to create a machine capable of toppling Ferrari’s dynasty.
With money seemingly no object, Ford set out to build a car that would outlast, outpace, and outsmart Ferrari’s finest at Le Mans. This was not a mere racing challenge—it was an act of corporate pride and an opportunity to rewrite history. Ford had been snubbed, but instead of retreating, they pressed forward with greater determination. The stage was set for one of the most intense rivalries in motorsport history. Would American grit, backed by deep pockets, be enough to conquer the brilliant craftsmanship and racing heritage of Italy’s Ferrari? The world waited eagerly to see if Ford could turn wounded pride into legendary achievement.
Chapter 5: How the GT40’s First Battles at Le Mans Brought Painful Lessons and Humbling Defeats.
Ford’s first serious attempt to conquer Le Mans came in 1964 with the GT40, a promising but rushed creation. This car blended Ford’s powerful V8 engine with advanced international components. The Mulsanne Straight, a track section where speeds soared over 200 mph, demanded incredible horsepower. Yet Le Mans was not only about speed. The twisting corners, sudden weather shifts, and endless hours required a level of reliability and endurance that few cars could maintain. Ford engineers knew their GT40 was young and largely untested, but time was not their ally. They had to race soon, ready or not.
As the 24-hour clock started ticking, drivers pushed the GT40 to the limit. At first, observers could feel the excitement—could this shiny new challenger dethrone Ferrari’s reigning supremacy? But within mere hours, disaster struck. Both GT40s built for that year’s race suffered crippling transmission failures. Dreams of beating Ferrari dissolved into disappointment, as Ford cars were forced off the track far too early. It was a bitter lesson. Money and ambition alone were not enough. Durability, careful testing, and relentless fine-tuning were essential in this grueling sport.
The 1964 failure might have crushed weaker spirits, but Ford’s team took it as a wake-up call. They realized rushing a prototype into the world’s toughest endurance race was unwise. They needed more research, better materials, stronger brakes, and aerodynamic refinements. Behind the scenes, meticulous planning began. Meanwhile, Ferrari carried on with its tradition of excellence, winning titles and remaining a fearsome opponent. Ford’s entry into European racing had started with an embarrassing stumble, but it wouldn’t end there. Instead, it sparked a deeper resolve to improve.
Fans following the story had hoped for a dramatic upset, yet they saw a giant humbled. But the Deuce was not one to back down. He funneled even more resources into the project. The failure at Le Mans taught Ford’s engineers that while American power was mighty, it had to blend gracefully with European finesse. This marriage of brute force and delicate balance would guide their next steps. The GT40 had shown potential, but it needed a wiser hand and a careful makeover. As Ford readied itself for the next battle, the public sensed that something extraordinary might still be on the horizon, if the team learned from these bruising early lessons.
Chapter 6: How Shelby and Miles Refined the GT40, Setting the Stage for a Spectacular Showdown.
After the 1964 disappointment, Carroll Shelby took command. He was the right man to shape the GT40 into a serious contender. With Shelby came Ken Miles, a brilliant test driver and mechanic whose keen instincts helped perfect every nut and bolt. Together, they tested the car in extraordinary ways, using aerospace facilities and advanced simulations to identify weaknesses and improve performance. Nothing was too small to reconsider—air ducts, brake sizes, even how the windshield wipers functioned. Slowly, the GT40 shed weight, gained horsepower, and grew more aerodynamic.
In 1965, these improvements paid off at Daytona’s 24-hour race, where Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby guided a GT40 to victory. It was a critical boost to Ford’s confidence. The team then introduced the GT40 MkII, featuring a thunderous 427 cubic inch V8 engine that promised to rival anything Ferrari could muster. But brute strength was only half the story. The engine’s position behind the driver and the challenge of balancing speed, cornering, and mechanical durability still presented a complex puzzle. Testing continued, and the team learned to trust Miles’s feedback. His talent for feeling the car’s soul helped guide engineers toward meaningful upgrades.
Ferrari, on the other hand, refused to be intimidated. Their 330 P2 model set blistering lap times and continued to dominate test sessions. By 1965’s Le Mans trial runs, Ferrari looked unbeatable. Yet Ford’s squad pushed forward, determined to outlast Ferrari’s grip on the trophy. Practice laps revealed more issues, and despite improvements, the GT40 MkII faced serious questions: Could it endure 24 long hours of punishment? Would its mighty engine cause handling problems that slowed it in crucial moments?
When the 1965 Le Mans race finally began, Ford roared ahead, momentarily outpacing Ferrari. For a brief, glorious time, it seemed like all the effort was about to pay off. Drivers praised the car’s raw power, calling it a rocket ship. But soon, ominous smoke appeared. Mechanical failures returned, and heartbreak struck as Ford cars fell victim to engine troubles and overheated parts. Again, none of the GT40s crossed the finish line. American pride took another hit, and the Deuce grew increasingly impatient. Yet the seeds of success were already planted. Shelby and Miles knew what needed fixing, and their next attempt would be backed by even more rigorous testing, refinement, and strategic thinking.
Chapter 7: How Painful Defeat Fueled Ford’s Fierce Comeback and Miles’s Shot at History.
The 1965 Le Mans ended in crushing disappointment for Ford. Though their cars sometimes showed lightning-fast speed, none survived the full 24 hours. It was a grim reminder that endurance racing demanded not just muscle but ironclad reliability. Despite these setbacks, Ford doubled down rather than surrender. Shelby secured another chance to prove that his expertise, combined with Ford’s wealth and technology, could produce a champion. Meanwhile, Enzo Ferrari crafted a new weapon, the 330 P3, lighter and more powerful than before, with fuel injection and improved handling.
Ford’s response was to simulate Le Mans-like conditions using advanced testing beds. Engines and transmissions ran for days, brutally pushed beyond normal limits, to uncover every potential flaw. Shelby’s crew inspected every detail of the GT40 MkII, ensuring that no weak link would escape their scrutiny. And as the 1966 racing season dawned, Ford saw rays of hope. Ken Miles won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, leaving him poised to achieve something no driver ever had—a triple crown of endurance racing if he could finally conquer Le Mans.
Now, racing fans around the world looked forward to Le Mans 1966 with growing excitement. Ford had been humiliated twice, but their persistence signaled something spectacular might be brewing. The rivalry with Ferrari was now intense and deeply personal. Each side had poured staggering amounts of time, intellect, and money into creating machines that would not only win but define their legacy. For Ken Miles, victory at Le Mans would stamp his name into racing history. For Henry Ford II, it would avenge the humiliation of the broken Ferrari deal. For Shelby and his team, it was the ultimate test of skill, determination, and courage.
As the big day approached, both teams were on edge. A wrong gear ratio, a flawed gasket, or a misjudged pit stop could ruin everything. The press, car lovers, and thrill-seekers anticipated a legendary showdown. Ford’s engineers held their breath, hoping that endless hours of testing and tweaking would finally pay off. Miles, behind the wheel, prepared mentally and physically for the grueling marathon of speed and stamina. This was Ford’s moment—one last chance to dethrone Ferrari and claim the most coveted prize in European endurance racing. All eyes turned to the French countryside, awaiting the roar of engines and the blur of lightning-fast cars.
Chapter 8: How Controversy and Rain at Le Mans 1966 Changed History and Broke a Driver’s Heart.
In June of 1966, motorsport fans gathered at Le Mans, buzzing with excitement. Henry Ford II arrived as the grand marshal, personally waving the start flag and sending a stern message to his team: they must win. As engines thundered to life, drivers sprinted to their cars, a chaotic tradition that sometimes caused bumps and scrapes in the rush. Ken Miles, already anxious to make history, dented his door while jumping in, wasting precious seconds as the team hammered it back into shape.
Once the race settled, Ford’s cars performed brilliantly. Even through the dark, rain-soaked night, they pulled ahead, leaving Ferrari struggling to keep pace. Ken Miles’s driving was masterful. He set new lap records and maintained a pace that hinted he could finally achieve his triple crown. Hour after hour, the Ford machines roared on, showing a reliability that had been painfully absent in previous years. The crowd sensed that Ferrari’s era of dominance might be closing.
By morning, Ford’s victory seemed assured. In a showy public relations move, Ford executives decided that their top three cars should cross the finish line together for a stunning photograph. Ken Miles wanted the glory of a clear win, but he was pressured to slow down so the other Ford could catch up. As all three rolled across simultaneously, confusion erupted. The race organizers did not acknowledge a tie. Since Bruce McLaren’s car started slightly behind Miles’s, it was declared the official winner. Miles, who had held the lead, saw the triple crown slip through his fingertips.
The result was deeply unsettling for Miles. He had sacrificed personal glory for the team, only to end up with second place. Shelby later admitted that this moment haunted him for decades. It underscored the tension between raw competition and corporate theatrics. Still, Ford had what it wanted: a public relations triumph, the long-awaited defeat of Ferrari at Le Mans, and proof that its machines could stand toe-to-toe with Europe’s finest. Yet behind the celebratory photographs and headlines, a driver’s heartbreak lingered, foreshadowing a tragic event that would soon shake everyone who knew him.
Chapter 9: How Triumph Turned to Tragedy and Sealed the Fate of a Racing Dynasty.
Just two months after Le Mans 1966, Ford’s testing program continued in the California desert. Ken Miles, still stung by his near miss of legendary status, was testing the next experimental Ford prototype—the J-Car. Racing is always dangerous, but on that day, something went horribly wrong. While decelerating from incredible speeds, the car veered off track and burst into flames. Miles was thrown clear, and he perished instantly, leaving Shelby, Ford, and all who admired his talents in mourning. The sport had claimed another hero’s life.
Ken Miles’s death shocked the racing community. He had been a gifted mechanic and driver, a key figure in Ford’s success. Without him, the future felt uncertain. But history would record that Ford had achieved its goal. Not only had they toppled Ferrari in 1966, but in 1967, they repeated their triumph at Le Mans with two American-born drivers behind the wheel. Meanwhile, Enzo Ferrari had one brief moment of revenge, winning the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona with a sweeping first, second, and third finish. Yet he would never again claim victory at Le Mans.
By the late 1960s, the world’s automotive landscape was changing. Japanese manufacturers were emerging as serious competitors. Ford, having made its point, began looking to other challenges and markets. Ferrari, for its part, eventually sold half of the company to Fiat, ensuring the brand would survive but under different terms. The era of bitter Ford-Ferrari rivalry became a legend told and retold wherever car enthusiasts gathered. And in these stories, Ken Miles’s name would shine as a reminder that behind every machine are human beings who dare to reach for the impossible.
The battle between Ford and Ferrari left its mark on racing history. It proved that vast resources could eventually topple old dynasties, but it also revealed the fragile humanity of the sport. Death, heartbreak, triumph, and innovation danced together in that intense decade. Ford of Europe, Inc. launched just days after their 1967 Le Mans victory, symbolizing the company’s expanded ambitions. The mission Henry Ford II had envisioned—to surpass Ferrari on the biggest stage—was complete. Still, the memory of that rivalry lingers, reminding fans that true racing greatness emerges from a mix of courage, ingenuity, and the unwavering pursuit of speed and glory.
All about the Book
Discover the thrilling true story of the legendary Ford vs. Ferrari rivalry in ‘Go Like Hell’ by A. J. Baime. This gripping narrative explores ambition, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack.
A. J. Baime is an acclaimed author and journalist, known for his captivating storytelling and deep historical insights, particularly in the world of automotive culture and racing.
Automotive Engineers, Historians, Motorsport Enthusiasts, Business Strategists, Documentary Filmmakers
Car Racing, Collecting Vintage Cars, Motorcycle Riding, Watching Motorsports, Reading Biographies of Innovators
Competition in the automotive industry, Innovation and engineering challenges, Ambition and teamwork, The impact of corporate decisions on sports
Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary… that’s what gets you.
Carroll Shelby (famed car designer), Jeremy Clarkson (TV presenter and automotive journalist), Bob Varsha ( motorsport commentator)
International Automotive Media Award, Motor Press Guild Award, National Book Award (Finalist)
1. Understand Ferrari’s dominance in 1960s car racing. #2. Learn Ford’s strategy to beat Ferrari at Le Mans. #3. Discover key figures behind Ford’s racing success. #4. Explore Carroll Shelby’s role in engineering cars. #5. Appreciate the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari teams. #6. Gain insights into 24 Hours of Le Mans. #7. Recognize innovative automotive engineering breakthroughs. #8. Understand the cultural impact of racing events. #9. Discover challenges faced by Ford in motorsport. #10. Analyze the intense business and personal rivalries. #11. Learn about the mechanics behind racing technology. #12. Explore the historical significance of 1966 Le Mans. #13. Understand Henry Ford II’s ambitions and motivations. #14. Recognize teamwork’s importance in high-stakes environments. #15. Examine the human drama behind racing legends. #16. Uncover the development of the GT40 race car. #17. Understand the impact of racing on automotive industry. #18. Analyze the media’s role in motorsport narratives. #19. Discover the passion driving motorsport advancements. #20. Appreciate how rivalry fuels innovation in sports.
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