The Real Cannonball Run

The Cannonball Run wasn’t just a great movie; the film was based on a real cross-continental race created by journalist, Brock Yates, as a protest against the loss of personal freedom in America, and in particular the introduction of 55 mph speed limits across the country.

The race was run five times during the 1970s. In 1979, lining up alongside the Ferraris, Lotus models and Porsches, was this specially-built six-wheeled Ford Transit. Nicknamed Triple-T, which stood for Truck’s Transit and Trailer, it was driven by Ford engineer John Hitchins, and Truck magazine publisher Andrew Frankl, who had to deal with falling rocks, deep snow and even brake failure on their gruelling 3,000-mile, three-day journey.

Frankl recalls:

“I thought it would be fun to compete with a commercial vehicle. Having recently launched Truck magazine, I asked Ford to get involved and as always, they agreed to help. We took the Transit out to the U.S.A. and everyone loved it. We did come last, but we were awarded a very large trophy. My fondest memory is carrying it on a plane and a lady asking me in a posh voice ‘excuse me, honey, is that an Oscar?’”

Hitchins passed away two years ago, but his son Peter, a powertrain engineer at Ford’s Technical Centre, in Dunton, England, has fond memories of his dad talking about the run.

“I was only seven at the time and couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to go with him. Triple-T was almost a member of the family at the time and did turn a few heads when parked on our drive or dropping me off at school.” 

Not far into their journey across the states they passed Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, while the biggest nuclear incident in U.S. history was unfolding.

Peter recalled.

“Dad said they were the last vehicle to drive past the power station before the road was closed.” 

When asked whether that was before or after the core went critical Peter’s dad’s response:

“During… and quickly.” 

Hitchins went on to enjoy a long and rewarding career with Ford before retiring in 2000.

Peter said

“Dad went on to be an original member of the Special Vehicle Engineering team developing Performance Fords, including the Fiesta XR2 and Capri 2.9 Injection, series 1 Escort RS Turbo and the Sierra and Escort Cosworth.”

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