Ford GT40 Replica
Year:
N/A
Manufacturer:
Original – Ford, Replica – Tornado Sports Cars
Number Produced:
Unknown
Specifications:
4.9 litre Fairlane V8 engine
Manual gearbox, either 4 or 5 speed
Colotti transaxle
Description:
The Ford Versus Ferrari
The Ford GT40 was created from one of the most famous rivalries in motorsport history. Ferrari had dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning six consecutive races between 1960 and 1965. Ford wanted to challenge that dominance and establish itself as a major force in international endurance racing.
In 1963, Ford entered negotiations to purchase Ferrari's road-car business. The deal ultimately collapsed, reportedly after Ford had already spent considerable resources investigating the proposed acquisition. The failure angered Henry Ford II and helped set Ford on a new path towards developing a car capable of defeating Ferrari on the world's biggest endurance-racing stages.
Developing the GT40
Ford's racing programme brought together engineers and specialists from across the motorsport industry. Lola Cars played an important role in the early development of the GT40, while Ford supplied the resources and engines needed to turn the project into a serious Le Mans contender.
The result was a low, lightweight sports prototype with a fibreglass body and a Ford V8 mounted behind the driver.
The name GT40 referred to the car's height of approximately 40 inches, measured at the windscreen. Its extremely low profile gave the GT40 its distinctive appearance and helped reduce aerodynamic drag.
The Le Mans Breakthrough
Ford's early GT40s suffered from reliability problems, but the programme continued to develop. By 1966, Ford had produced the GT40 Mk II, featuring a 7.0-litre V8 and extensive improvements to the car's reliability and performance.
The changes paid off at Le Mans. Ford's GT40s finished first, second and third in 1966, with Bruce McLaren and New Zealander Chris Amon taking the overall victory in the leading Shelby American GT40 Mk II.
Ken Miles and New Zealander Denny Hulme finished second in another GT40, making the result a remarkable 1-2 finish for Ford.
Four Straight Victories
The 1966 victory was only the beginning. Ford went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for four consecutive years, taking victories in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.
The achievement finally ended Ferrari's six-year winning streak and established the GT40 as one of the most successful endurance racing cars of its era.
The Famous Gulf Colours
The GT40 later became strongly associated with the distinctive blue and orange Gulf racing colours. These colours became one of the most recognisable liveries in motorsport and have since been recreated on countless GT40 replicas and continuation cars.
This example is a Tornado Sports Cars replica, finished in the famous Gulf racing livery. While it is not an original Ford-built GT40, it recreates the appearance and character of one of the most celebrated racing cars in history.
A Racing Legend
The Ford GT40 remains one of the defining cars of 1960s motorsport. Its story combines corporate rivalry, engineering development, international racing and one of the greatest victories in Le Mans history.
From its origins in Ford's failed Ferrari deal to four consecutive Le Mans victories, the GT40 became the car that finally defeated Ferrari on its own territory and secured Ford's place in endurance-racing history.
