The Untold Story of Ford GT40 Production Racing History and Individual Chassis

The Ford GT40 is an iconic sports car that made a significant impact on the world of motorsports. Designed to challenge and defeat Ferrari, the GT40 achieved remarkable success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming a true legend in the racing world.

The Birth of GT40

In the early 1960s, Henry Ford II was determined to beat Ferrari at the world's most prestigious endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After a failed attempt to acquire Ferrari, Ford decided to build a car capable of defeating the Italian marque.

The GT40 (stands for Grand Touring 40 inches, indicating its height) was born out of this determination. Ford enlisted the expertise of British manufacturer Lola and American racing legend Carroll Shelby to develop and build the car.

Ford GT40: Production & Racing History, Individual Chassis History

by Trevor Legate(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27927 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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The Dominance at Le Mans

The GT40 made its debut at Le Mans in 1964. Although it faced initial technical challenges, Ford's commitment and continuous development soon paid off. In 1966, GT40 Mk II secured a historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans, thus ending Ferrari's dominance and becoming the first American car to win the race.

The following year, GT40 Mk IV took the victory again and completed Ford's illustrious four-year winning streak from 1966 to 1969.

Evolution of GT40

Over the course of its production and racing history, the GT40 underwent numerous improvements and modifications. Different variants were introduced to adapt to the changing regulations and enhance performance.

The Mk I was the initial version produced, featuring a 4.7-liter V8 engine. It paved the way for the Mk II, which boasted a powerful 7-liter engine that propelled the car to higher speeds.

The Mk III, built for road use, had a smaller 4.9-liter engine but still delivered impressive performance. Additionally, limited-edition and special homologation models like the GT40 J and GT40 Mk II P were introduced to cater to specific racing classes.

Individual Chassis History

Each GT40 chassis had its own unique story and contributed to the car's racing legacy. Let's explore some notable individual chassis:

Chassis No. P/1015

P/1015 is one of the most famous GT40s, known as "Old Faithful" or "The Le Mans Car." It achieved the historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966 and went on to participate in other endurance races around the world. Today, it stands as a symbol of GT40's success.

Chassis No. P/1046

P/1046 is another renowned GT40, winning the 1966 Daytona 24 Hours race and finishing third at Le Mans the same year. It later underwent extensive restoration and currently resides in a private collection.

Chassis No. P/1074

P/1074 became the first GT40 to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice. It achieved this feat in 1968 and 1969, cementing its place in GT40 history.

Chassis No. P/1084

P/1084 holds a unique distinction for being the only GT40 to race in Ford's iconic Gulf livery, immortalized by the movie "Le Mans" starring Steve McQueen. This car participated in various races, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

Legacy and Collectibility

The GT40's racing success and its role in defeating Ferrari have solidified its place in automotive history. Its desirability among car enthusiasts and collectors is unparalleled, with original GT40s fetching astronomical prices at auctions.

Today, various replicas and continuation models allow enthusiasts to experience the thrill of driving a GT40 while preserving the legacy of the original cars.

The Ford GT40's production racing history and individual chassis have left an indelible mark on both the automotive industry and motorsports. Its achievements at Le Mans and beyond serve as a testament to human determination and engineering excellence.

While the original GT40s are now rare treasures, the legacy of this iconic car will continue to inspire future generations of racers and enthusiasts.

Ford GT40: Production & Racing History, Individual Chassis History

by Trevor Legate(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27927 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	332 pages

FREE