Car guy movie: Flash of Genius

[themechanic]

Good movie. David vs Goliath based on a true story. Thank God for Robert Kearns and the intermittent wiper. They're not sexy but boy are they handy when you need them.

 

[GTXperience]

Never heard of it. Have to check it out now. Those Ford guys ... they like to borrow things that don't belong to them don't they. First, the intermittent wiper tech and then the Boss name.

 

[themechanic]

Never heard of it. Have to check it out now. Those Ford guys ... they like to borrow things that don't belong to them don't they. First, the intermittent wiper tech and then the Boss name.

What's the deal with Ford and the Boss name?

 

[conv67bdere]

Found the movie was on Netflix, and watched it tonight . . .

Not too bad of a movie, dragged a bit at times, but showed the determination of a man to force Ford to admit that they stole his design . . .

 

[GTXperience]

What's the deal with Ford and the Boss name?

I grew up racing at Fremont Dragstrip and always heard the verbal battles between the Mopar & Ford guys re: the origin of the Boss name. It usually ended up with the Ford guys saying, "Well, Chrysler should have trademarked it". From what I remember, the name "The Boss" was given to the 67 GTX (not sure if it was the entire car line or the hemi version) at tracks all over the country. I'm sure it originated from the Sox & Martin "The Boss" 67 GTX. It was picked up Chrysler HQ and they even ran ads calling the GTX the Boss.

In 68, Ford was was developing a special motor for their 69 SCCA cars and found that the name (Bossj was not trademarked by Chrysler so they did so and started associating it with their new motors. Of course, this all comes from years of racers and enthusiasts talking. Here's some articles/pics referring to different years of GTXs as "The Boss".

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2007/06/GeeTeeX---1968-Plymouth-GTX/1466364.html

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1971-plymouth-gtx3.htm

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplas...ymouth/johan-plymouth-gtx-/johan69gtx004.html