The company was founded in
Coventry in 1971 by Tony Rolt. to exploit the
4WD technology begun originally at Dixon-Rolt Developments in partnership with
Freddie Dixon and, from 1950 at
Harry Ferguson Research. FFD developed a number of prototype cars with the aim of selling the technology to car makers, much as Harry Ferguson Research had done after Ferguson's death. This included one of two
Triumph Stags. One of their first successful conversions was for the
Opel Admiral and
Opel Senator cars used by
BRIXMIS in Berlin, followed by Vauxhall-Bedford approved conversions of the
Bedford CF van. The company also engineered the prototype
AMC Eagle, the first mass-produced car in the world to feature full-time 4WD. In 1981 Rolt's son,
Stuart, joined the company as marketing director, becoming Chief Executive in 1986. In 1983, FFD teamed up with the management of the British branch
Schuler Presses to develop an aftermarket conversion for the Range Rover. The result was the
Schuler Super Ranger, which could outperform the standard
Range Rover on and off-road. The car subsidiary was bought out of the parent company subsequently renamed
Overfinch The arrival of the
Audi Quattro opened the word's eyes to the advantages of 4WD. This prompted Ford's
Bob Lutz to commission a 4WD
Ford Sierra, which led to subsequent 4WD Ford models and to licensing of the Ferguson Formula world-wide through patents holder
GKN and mass production of the components by
GKN German subsidiary Viscodrive Ferguson Formula 4WD was a key element in four
Group B rally cars, the
Peugeot 205 T16, the
Lancia Delta S4, the
Ford RS200 and the
MG Metro 6R4. It was also used in the
Lancia Delta Integrale. 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 Ricardo-FFD. Stuart Rolt remained the
CEO until 1996. ==Projects==