- FF Developments
FF Developments Limited (FFD) was a British company founded by Major A.P.R. (Tony) Rolt to exploit
4WD technology, Rolt had worked as Technical Director atHarry Ferguson Research for many yearscite web
title=Decembers Past 2001: 30 Years ago: December 1971
url=http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/popup_print.asp?print=true&lPageID=3200&id=10926
publisher=Classic Driver] .According to
Ward's Auto World [cite web
title=No giant here - FF Developments Ltd - company profile
publisher=Ward's Auto World
date=Dec 1989
url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_n12_v25/ai_8255861] the influence that "FFD" had on all wheel drive (AWD) development transcended its size.History
The company was founded in
Coventry in 1971 by Tony Rolt. In 1981 Rolt's son, Stuart, joined the company as Marketing Director, becoming Chief Executive in 1986cite web
title=Chairman's profile: Stuart Rolt
url=http://www.brdc.co.uk/sub_page.cfm/title/Chairman's%20Profile/section/home/editID/56
publisher=theBritish Racing Drivers' Club ] .In 1990 the company opened an engineering centre in
Detroit .Following its sale to the automotive consultancy group Ricardo in 1994, the company was renamed "FFD-Ricardo". Stuart Rolt remained the
CEO until 1996.Projects
*Jaguar - FFD designed and developed the AWD system used on the
Jaguar XJ220 220 mphsupercar prototype which was shown for the first time at the 1988British International Motor Show .
*General Motors - FFD designed and developed the AWD system used on the 1990 Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari van.
*McLaren Cars - FFD manufactured the transmission system for theMcLaren F1 supercar.Notes
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