After the late 70s energy crunch, increasing safety and emission requirements and rising fuel cost, Ford turned to its profitable European operations for the way forward. Walter Hayes moved from the UK to Dearborn to run the company’s public relations.
Ford’s Le Mans winning 427ci engine was developed from the final version of a series of NASCAR engines that began as a 352ci engine introduced in 1963. A.J. (Gus) Scussel was the section head of Ford’s Engine and Foundry Division and prior to becoming involved with the NASCAR program had never seen an automobile race.
In late 1964, the FIA issued the regulations that would govern Formula 1 starting in 1966. The new rules allowed a maximum engine capacity of 3.0 liters or 1.5 liters supercharged. Also in 1964 Leonard Lee announced that Coventry Climax would not continue as an engine provider after 1965. With Coventry Climax’s withdrawal from the sport the British teams, excluding BRM, would require a new engine supplier. Cooper entered an alliance with Maserati for use of its V12 engine. Brabham went for simplicity with Repco of Australia developing SOHC cylinder heads for the aluminum Oldsmobile F85 V8 cylinder block. Lotus signed a short-term deal with BRM to use its new H16 engine. The BRM engine would not be ready until late in the season so Lotus owner Colin Chapman convinced Leonard Lee to provide a 2.o liter upgrade to the Coventry Climax engine for Lotus to use in 1966.