VALE – AL TURNER
Al Turner, one of the key players in Australia’s muscle car era in the 1970s, has died at home in the USA.
It was Turner, known as ‘Big Al’, who led development of the original Falcon GTHO, helped launch the career of Allan Moffat, and established the Ford skunkworks known as ‘Lot 6’ at Mahoney’s Road in Thomastown.
He landed in Australia in 1968 with a charter from Bunkie Knudsen, president of Ford Motor Company, to establish a new muscle car following similar to the impact the Mustang had in America.
Turner was given just one year by local Ford boss, Bill Bourke, to develop a car to dominate on race tracks and inject more excitement into Blue Oval showrooms.
He set up the Special Vehicles Operations and, in his secret workshop, developed the world’s fastest four-door production car.
Turner also established the Ford GTHO Lot 6 Foundation to provide an education for young mechanics interested in pursuing a career in motor racing.
He intended to return to Australia in 2019 for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the GTHO but was too ill to travel.
Turner – who is survived by his wife Susan, seven children, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild – died on November 3 in Florida, aged 89.
