Bruce Meyer Reveals Inspiration Behind His Best Cruise-In Yet

Following the All-American Cruise-In, there is a special panel discussion moderated by Meyer. The panel will be speaking about he 1966 victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans; both as it is portrayed on film, as well as the true stories behind the race, GT40 development, and Carroll Shelby. Featured panelists will include designer Peter Brock; Peter Miles, son of racing driver Ken Miles; crew chief Charlie Agapiou; Carroll Shelby’s grandson Aaron Shelby; driver Allen Grant; film producer Lenny Shabes; and A.J. Baime, whose book Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans inspired the hit film Ford v Ferrari (pictured below).

The panel is incredible. How did you get this esteemed group together?

They’re all personal friends, so I knew them all really well. I asked if they would come, and every one of them said yes.

What was it like to see your own cars on screen?

Well, it was such a moment. My cars [1957 convertible Ferrari 625/250 Testa Rossa, 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB] were used in the Ferrari factory scene and it was just for a brief moment. I liked it because I think the cars are worthy, and it was cool. There were a lot of really cool cars on screen.

You knew Carroll Shelby. What was it like to see him portrayed on screen?

I think they did a reasonably good job. He was a very interesting guy and a good friend. He was one of my heroes, just amazing… I think they did a good job. He’s a unique guy, so you’re never going to hit on every point.

How you think the 1966 Le Mans win changed Ford moving forward?

Well, also in the early-’60s, they won the Indy 500 with a Ford-powered Lotus. I think motor sports has always been an important part of Ford’s heritage. So, they say, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” I think it had a lot to do with selling Ford performance. Of course, the Mustang: It was the first youthful car that they had to come with….They won Le Mans and they won Indy, they won Trans-Am, they won it all.

Did the film get the story right? Was there anything in particular that stood out as not quite accurate?

The only thing that upset me a little bit was the portrayal of Phil Remington. I thought the fellow they had cast in his role [Ray McKinnon] was nothing like Phil. He was one of the real unsung heroes of the whole Shelby success story. He was the genius. I thought that they gave a lot of good ink and time to Ken Miles, who was important as well. Between Ken Miles and Phil Remington, those were the people that made Shelby.

Do you think that the popularity of the film will inspire a new generation of engineers, designers, racers?

I think the film appealed to movie goers and it appealed to the car people. So, I think it was a success. I think a lot of people didn’t realize how important Le Mans was to a driver or to an automobile’s reputation. Le Mans is everything. Le Mans is the World Cup, Superbowl, Olympic games, World Series, it’s everything to the automobile. I think the movie gave people a really good idea how important it is and how the engineers and owners and management, how seriously they took that race and how important racing is to a car. I think people probably came away with a wonderful, new insight on how important it is and how important Le Mans is.

Will you be addressing controversy about the side-by-side photo finish at Le Mans?

That’s going to be very much a part of the conversation. …I know the answer to that question and you’ll have that answer. Hopefully we can put that [controversy] to rest.

‘Le Mans is everything. Le Mans is the World Cup, Superbowl, Olympic games, World Series, it’s everything to the automobile. I think the movie gave people a really good idea how important it is …and how important racing is to a car.’

Should be very interesting! We’re very much looking forward to the panel discussion.

I hope that it delivers, and we’ll do everything we can to get these guys to tell the stories. I just hope we exceed everybody’s expectations.

For more times, tickets and more details about Bruce Meyer’s All-American Cruise-In, click here. 

Photos: Petersen Automotive Museum; 20th Century Fox; Ford 

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S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.