Montier Fords - the new book now available.

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Montier Fords - the new book now available.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Martin on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:05 pm:

Charles Montier was a French mechanic who raced modified Ford Ts and As in Europe. His story has never before been told in English.

First Fords at Le Mans

Most of us tend to think that Fords did not play much of a part at Le Mans until the early 1960s. But that is not quite the case. Charles Montier, a French Ford dealer, (called “Le Sorcier” by the locals long before Gordini) entered the famous endurance race in 1923, 1924 and 1925. Few people even realize that a Model T Ford not only raced in that grueling event (won by a Chenard Walcker) but finished in 14th place in the first ever 24 hours of Le Mans. But the Montier-Fords were just getting a start; amazingly, by the 1930s Montier-Fords would participate in a number of Grand Prix events, racing against Alfa Romeo, Mercedes Benz and Bugatti.

Charles Montier was the son of a blacksmith in rural France. While still in his teens, he helped his father build a steam powered wagon that scared the locals. From there he moved to Paris and on to a varied career in the burgeoning French motor car world including a spell building racers for Darracq, ultimately setting up his own business based around selling, modifying and racing Fords.

The Grand Prix Montier-Fords

Encouraged by his efforts at Le Mans, Montier kept up the development of his Ford based racers and appeared at many events throughout France and Belgium and even made occasional forays to Grands Prix as far away as Spain and Morocco. Joined later by his son Ferdinand, the Montier team often fielded two cars and even sold a few to amateur racer customers.

Montier’s career had many ups and downs and side projects that all serve to show the combination of determination and engineering skill that possibly deserve more recognition than he currently enjoys. He raced against some of the greats of the day, often gaining class victories, and such names as Tazio Nuvolari, and Albert Divo, Giovanni Agnelli, and the King of Spain all are part of the Montier’s story.

The car that ran at the first Le Mans 24 has been restored in France and has made appearances in recent years at the Le Mans Classic event surprising all who had thought that Ford’s participation in the famous ‘Vingt-Quatre Heures du Mans’ had started with the legendary GT40!

Parts of this story have been told in French publications over the years but little was ever written about his exploits in English. In addition, this VeloceToday Select Folio includes period photos and a complete listing of all races, hillclimbs, and Grands Prix entered by the Montier-Fords from 1921-1934.

A 32 page ‘Folio’ landscape format booklet measuring 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 it is published by VeloceToday and available from the author (c’est moi) for US$20 including postage to anywhere.

Click on my username above to message me if you want details of how to order.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 05:59 am:

I have just received my copy of this book, any Ford Model T or Model A will find it a most interesting story.

What Chris didn't mention above is that Charles Montier made his own OHV head for his racing cars ( this could be the rarest Model T head there is?) as well as other speed equipment and modifications to improve the Model T so he could race against all the others involved in motor racing in Europe. Those interested in speedster should get this book.

Its amazing that up until now very few of us have ever heard of Montier even after all these years we have been involved with the Model T.

For those of you stuck inside for the long winter it is a great way to spend some time in front of the fire. Get a copy, well worth it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Martin on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 04:43 pm:

Thanks Peter, glad you liked it. Yes, there is a lot more to the story than the note above. Hopefully now this is out there, in English, it may even flush out some more Montier cars or parts.


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