Vintage Can Am race cars are amazing. The action back then was something that today seems unreal. We’re talking about big block powered machines featuring mechanical fuel injection and drivers with egos and testicles that matched or exceeded their driving skills. These guys did things with cars back then that drivers today just can’t imagine without getting behind the wheel of one of these brutal machines. Not because they couldn’t handle the speeds and handling, but because these cars had no technology and refinement to help them.
In the 55 years since these cars were run, they have made huge improvements that make similar cars unbelievably fast in comparison, which makes them a lot better to drive. We can romanticize how great these cars were back then, but the reality is pretty different.
Watch the video and see what you think.
Video Description:
Initially tested at Goodwood by Denny Hulme and Frank Gardner, this Ford Open Sports claims to have a lap time of a staggering 1.07. Fast by any account. Almost 55 years later, the car returns to Goodwood as part of our Can-Am Celebration at the 82nd Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport. We spoke to Tom Cantrell, Don Millar and David Brabham at 82MM to find out more about this absolute monster.
Where does Can-Am rank on your all-time motorsport list?
