Did you know: Ford CEO Jim Farley is a passionate vintage racer

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 22.10.2020

Most senior executives are forbidden from dangerous activities, but racing was a non-negotiable for Farley

Jim Farley is the man who recently took to the big chair at Ford, replacing Jim Hackett this month as company CEO.

He is also a passionate and long-time vintage racer who frequently races his 1966 Ford GT40 and 1978 Lola T298. Of course, senior ranking executives and dangerous activities often do not mix in the eyes of shareholders which is why many CEOs of large companies are forbidden from partaking in such risky business.

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According to an interview with Autoblog, however, it was a non-negotiable for Farley. He had to keep racing.

In fact, the Ford Motor Company boss obtained special permission from Executive Chairman Bill Ford to continue his recreational racing.

"It was probably the second conversation we had after we had talked about this leadership opportunity. I said, ‘you know, Bill, I just can’t stop racing. It’s who I am. It’s my toga. You’ve got to let me do this if I’m going to be a better CEO.’ He was very supportive’, said Farley in a video interview.

Farley, aged 58, is truly a lifelong car-nut, having worked as a teenage in a garage owned by F1 Champion Phil Hill. He has also fully restored a 1966 Ford Mustang he paid $500 for.

The Ford executive began vintage racing in 2008 after purchasing a Shelby Cobra – according to Autonews. His collection spans further than just racing cars, however, including a 1932 Ford Roadster, a 1965 Shelby GT350, and a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. A 1987 BMW E30 325i convertible also sits in the driveway which his wife has owned since new.

Not all automotive CEOs are like Jim Farley, in that many come from business backgrounds with minimal interest in cars themselves. Farley seems like one of us though, and thankfully Ford is supportive of his passions away from the boardroom.

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