Peter Brock's Blog

Peter Brock has become a blogger! Sometimes referred to as the Energizer Bunny, Brock continues to delight us with his designs, insights and stories.

Now you don’t have to go to an event to ask Brock a question. He will answer your questions online on his blog, which will also make the answers available for all to see. You may want to ask questions about a project or vehicle Brock has worked on, a person he may have worked with, a design, his photography career or a question on current automotive happenings on which you would like his opinion.

Brock may not be able to get to all questions but he’ll try. Brock’s answers may be in various formats such as a text response or as video. Often Brock will have something in his archives or in the shop he will share.

Please subscribe to Peter Brock’s Blog in the box at right, to be notified of posts. If you have a question for Brock's Blog, please submit it below.

May 31, 2019
You ran BRE Datsuns in several of the very first Baja races, including a 4 vehicle team in 1969 consisting of a Datsun pick-up and three factory-built “lightweight” Datsun 510s, built to African Safari Rally specs. You managed the team and then co-drove one of those cars with John Morton. Then for many years more recently you also covered the Baja races as a photojournalist with your wife Gayle. What are the top things you’d like to share about the Baja races for those of us who’ve never been?

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First, let me say that Baja racing is my favorite form of automotive competition. Baja racing culture is about life, speed, the beauty of the land and enjoying everything to its fullest extent. The fact that the rules are fairly free, with minimum oversight allows lots of innovation for the competitors. As for ourselves… with no fences, an open road and no self-inflated officials blowing whistles, screaming or telling you where you can’t stand means

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May 24, 2019
Why did you feel it was valuable, and take it upon yourself, to develop a brand for Shelby like the creation of the Shelby logo, letterhead, business cards, apparel, etc?

7 Comments

As successful as the Shelby American operation was, Carroll didn’t really understand the potential of a viable brand using his name with his attendant racing success. Any attempt on my part to upgrade our initial “Shelby” or “Goodyear” merchandise was met with resistance because of cost. Shelby saw the advantage of promoting his name with “T” shirts but would only allow the cheapest materials to minimize cost. He didn’t understand that superior materials would last

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May 15, 2019
Why didn’t your Type 65 design have a ring spoiler? There’s none shown on your clay model.

8 Comments

The Type 65 “Super Coupe” was designed to replace the Daytona Cobra Coupe in 1965. It had a 427 engine, modern suspension and a shape that would theoretically have allowed speeds well over 200 mph. What it didn’t have was a moveable driver-controlled wing at the rear called a “Ring Airfoil” that was initially planned for the Daytona Cobra Coupe. Had the wing been used on the Daytona it would have been faster, safer and

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May 9, 2019
The graphics on the BRE Datsuns are legendary, and often copied as Nissan has with their new 50th anniversary 370Z that uses the BRE stripes and contrasting top and side colors. How did you come up with the design?

3 Comments

First, I knew I wanted to make the cars patriotic to America. In the ‘60s it had only been 20 years since WWII ended and there was still some sensitivity to the Japanese, especially on the West coast. I wanted to make sure the cars came across as loyal to America so went with the red, white and blue paint scheme. Next, I wanted to make the graphics bold. Keep in mind a race car

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May 2, 2019
Back in the day of Can-Am, the McLarens ran full length aerodynamic fences nose to tail. After that time, it didn’t seem that designers used full length fences. I have always wondered why. It seems like a good way to keep the airflow on the top of the car and not spilling off. Was it a rules thing why designers stopped using them or was there an aerodynamic or stability issue?

9 Comments

McLaren M8F with driver Denny Hulme The Can-Am era was a transitional point in race car design. The term “aerodynamics” as applied to racing car design can be divided into two periods: 1) low drag and 2) downforce. Prior to the adoption of big American V8s for racing in the early Can-Am era, increases in speed were accomplished by the reduction of aerodynamic drag. The Daytona Cobra Coupe was a perfect example as the increase

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Submit your question here

Why did you feel it was valuable, and take it upon yourself, to develop a brand for Shelby like the creation of the Shelby logo, letterhead, business cards, apparel, etc?

Why didn’t your Type 65 design have a ring spoiler? There’s none shown on your clay model.

The graphics on the BRE Datsuns are legendary, and often copied as Nissan has with their new 50th anniversary 370Z that uses the BRE stripes and contrasting top and side colors. How did you come up with the design?

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