Fortyfication is published quarterly and includes articles about the history of the GT40 genre and activities of members in building, racing and showing off examples of originals and replica cars. All members receive by mail this full colour, high-quality, 40-page magazine, wherever in the world they live.
Extract from Fortyfication 92, the December 2011 edition,
The first page from a 4 page excellent article by Andrew Komosa explains how he satisfied the bug to build and own an original GT40 legend. This article is
about a labour of love, where removing reconditioned parts and replacing them with original ones from a variety of GT40s makes sense. As he explains he has
acquired parts from no less than 12 different original GT40s and he isn't finished counting. Andrew's enthusiasm is catching and you find you want to follow his quest and read more.
Click on the thumbnail to read the article.
Extract from Fortyfication 91, the September 2011 edition,
The middle 2 pages from a 4 page article by Chris Varey explaining the fun he (in his Spyder), Ian (in his Ultima), Graham (in his Ultima) Desmond (in his GT40), Kevin, Dick, Tony and crew
had at Spa this year. The challenges were the logistic of getting there, keeping the beer cool, waiting patently for a dry track session and then staying on the track with hot tyres (PHEW!) - in that order.
Click on the thumbnail to read the article.
Extract from Fortyfication 90, the June 2011 edition,
This is an article by Paul Brameld illustrating the great day had by 50 odd GT40 and Cobra owners on the track at the Donington Track (south of Derby) on Easter Monday.
It was an opportunity for all to do some Spring testing on their 40ty and was such a success that the Club has decided to make it an annual event. Read the complete article and you may want to sign up for 2012.
Extract from Fortyfication 89, the March 2011 edition,
This is an article by Chris Cole explaining the fun he had sourcing parts for his 'Bitsa' GT40 project. As it is with most builders, it takes a lot of imagination of what might be,
the perservance and patience not to give up and a good deal of outside help, so as not to be overwhemled by the scope of the project. Despite all this the reward is worth it as the last image proves.
Click on the thumbnail to read the article.
- Chelsea Auto Legends by Paul Brameld. Isn't it interesting that within a select area of London we can find as many interesting cars?
- Andrew and Debbie Komosa first inaugural Chairman's Picnic by Tony Hunt. Both Club members and others attended. This very well done event will no doubt be repeated in the Club's social calendar.
Click on the thumbnail to preview the 2 pages.
An extract from Fortyfication 87, the September 2010 edition,
a 4 page excellent article by Paul Brameld with contributions from other Club members who were at the Le Mans Classic July 9-11. This was the fifth running of the Classic. The club had 30 minutes of track time on Friday and all members took advantage of this opportunity to test their cars and give passengers a thrill.
This copy of Fortyfication is jam packed with great GT40 articles. There is lots of interesting reading in it so much so that once loaned it is hard to get back.
It has to be on your list as a must read by the sports car enthusiasts.
Click on the thumbnail to preview pages 2 and 3 of this article.
An extract from Fortyfication 86, the June 2010 edition,
a 7 page excellent article by Ian Cowan on his life's passion with building at GT40. A must read for the do-it-yourself car builder. What is fascinating is the
multitude of suppliers and the variety of parts needed to complete the car which all fit together. In this article Ian finishes the car thanks to all who contributed which for some
of us, this is still our dream. We should see Ian and his prize at the LMC this year.
Click on the thumbnail to preview pages 2 and 3.
An extract from Fortyfication 85, the March 2010 edition,
a 9 page excellent article by Claude Nahum on Classic Endurance Racing at Nurburgring and Silverstone
in August-September 2009. Where he explains in easy to follow detail the issues and challenges involved in
driving his GT40 P1078 in the CER races while competing against friends and associates such as Chris Ball and
Bernard. A must read for those who wish to follow in Claude's footsteps or for the automobile racing enthusiasts.
Click on the thumbnail to preview the first 4 pages.
An extract from Fortyfication 84, the December 2009 edition,
‘The Car I Didn't Buy’ by Chris Bailey, This is a personal story by our Club Webmaster, which has a message.
Throughout life everyone has to face major decisions, where it is difficult to make choices. When faced with
a major decision which could potentially change your life, don't let the left side of your brain control your
thinking with all the reasons why you shouldn't go ahead. Read this article to find out what really happened.
Click on the thumbnail to preview this page.
An extract from Fortyfication 83, the September 2009 edition,‘A
GT40 From Scratch’ by Mick Ridley, first instalment in a series of articles.
This article is for the budding engineer or do-it-yourselfer on a budget
as it explains the building of the GT40 chassis/frame, the suspension
and the braking system from absolute scratch in considerable detail. As
an example of the budget approach, Mick sourced parts which included a
Rover v-8 engine, Renault rear axle transmission, bell housing, steering
column, wheels and tyres, suspension, seats, steering wheel, silencers,
steering rack, disc brakes all for around 2,000 pounds. He then goes into
the details on how he first visualized putting this all together, then
actually doing it using a home shop built chassis/frame, and finally the
build issues and decisions he faced. All of this is remarkable achievement
in that it is within the design tolerance of a GT40. This is a must read
for the club enthusiast. Click on the thumbnail to preview this page.
Here are the first 2 pages of a 6-page article, published in Fortyfication 82, the June 2009 edition, describing how member
Claude Nahum commissioned, had built, developed and raced a perfect re-creation of the most famous GT40, P/1075. This is the only car
ever to have won the Le Mans 24 hour race twice - in 1968 and 1969. Click on the thumbnail to preview the pages.
When it all started -
view here.
The magazine is sent quarterly to all members. Click here for info on how to join. Fortyfication always includes a selection of technical articles which can be of invaluable help during construction and upgrades.
Social events are covered, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival, Track days and naturally Le Mans.
Here are some samples from earlier issues:
New Zealand GT40s - by Steve Davis
Scalextric New GT40s - by Allan Feldman
GT40 Replicas - by Brian Magee
Tom's Big day Out - by Dave Hensley
Air Conditioning - by John Hardy
We also have another 73 issues available on a CD in PDF format at £15 (Club members only). The CD is now indexed making location of your preferred type of article much easier. Contact Max Walter