Ford gt40 racing

The Ford GT40 is one of the most iconic racing cars in the world, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s.

About this subject

The Ford GT40 was created to rival Ferrari in endurance racing, especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The story began when Henry Ford II attempted to buy Ferrari in 1963, but Enzo Ferrari refused at the last minute. Determined to beat Ferrari on its own turf, Ford assembled a team to develop a car capable of defeating the Italians. The result was the GT40, named after "Grand Touring" and the vehicle's 40-inch (about 1 meter) height.

The GT40 debuted in 1964 but faced reliability issues. After improvements led by Carroll Shelby and the engineering team, the car dominated Le Mans from 1966 to 1969, winning four consecutive times. In 1966, the famous 1-2-3 finish was immortalized by the film "Ford v Ferrari". The 7-liter V8 engine produced about 485 horsepower, allowing speeds over 200 mph (320 km/h).

Although a race car, some street units were built for homologation, known as the GT40 Mk III. Today, original GT40s are extremely rare and valuable, fetching millions of dollars at auctions. The GT40 legacy inspired the modern Ford GT, launched in 2005 and again in 2017, which also won Le Mans in the GTE Pro class.

Trivia: The GT40's chassis was aluminum monocoque, innovative for its time, and the car weighed about 900 kg. It had independent suspension on all four wheels and disc brakes. The aerodynamic design, with a cut-off tail (Kamm tail), aided stability at high speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Le Mans victories did the Ford GT40 achieve?

The Ford GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row: in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969.

What engine did the Ford GT40 have?

The GT40 used a 7-liter (427 cubic inch) V8 engine producing about 485 horsepower.

Why is the car called GT40?

The name comes from Grand Touring (GT) and the vehicle's height, which was only 40 inches (about 1 meter).