Peter Brock’s Blog

Peter Brock

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.

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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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April 24, 2019

My thoughts on Nissan’s 50th Anniversary 370Z

1 Comment
Q: At the NY Auto Show this week Nissan unveiled a 50th Anniversary 370Z that paid tribute to your BRE Datsun race cars. What do you think of that?   A: I was over the moon when Nissan contacted us last year saying they wanted to pay tribute to the legacy of the BRE Datsun 240Z’s racing successes with a special limited edition 50th Anniversary Z.  We have wanted Nissan to leverage our racing history
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first shelby cobra

April 11, 2019

Who built the first Cobra, and where?

15 Comments
Ak Miller No question that Carroll Shelby “invented” the Cobra sports car with the idea of installing a V8 Ford engine in an English AC Chassis, but he wasn’t the first to actually do it!  If we forget the name Cobra, which defines this question, we have to acknowledge the first man to put a Ford V8 in an AC chassis to go racing.  Famed California “Hot Rodder” Ak Miller had completed the project with
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DeTomaso P70

April 3, 2019

Why wasn’t the Shelby – DeTomaso P70 ever finished?

10 Comments
In my book on this car, I stated I never knew why De Tomaso didn’t finish the 7-litre engine he had promised Shelby for the P70. Wonderfully, someone who read my book sent me the answer. He is absolutely correct and I thought I’d share his GREAT letter with you! Dear Mr. Brock: I just read "The Road to Modena." What an incredible book about an incredible car! Thank you for writing it and including
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3 thoughts on “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?”

  1. I am planning to build a tribute race car for use in competitive vintage racing, so I can save the actual historic car for high profile events. Since we have the spares to build it, this makes sense to us.

    I wanted to use the same layout as the black/gold on the historic car, but with different colors to make it clear which is the tribute and which is the real thing. I love your idea of going to the fish store to get colors! Brilliant!

    Reply

  2. This is wonderful insight into the details of everything you’re done. Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply

  3. Thanks again, Peter, for providing us with your insights on car graphics. Having no previous background on this topic, I find your explanations fascinating!

    Reply

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