Ford gt40 racing

The Ford GT40, a 1960s racing legend, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row and broke Ferrari's dominance.

About this subject

The Ford GT40 is one of the most iconic racing cars in history. Developed by the Ford Motor Company to challenge Ferrari in major endurance races, the GT40 was born from a rivalry between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari. After a failed attempt to buy Ferrari, Ford ordered the creation of a car capable of winning at Le Mans. The project was led by Carroll Shelby and the British Lola Cars team, resulting in a mid-engine V8 prototype.

The name GT40 comes from the vehicle's height, only 40 inches (about 1.02 meters). Its aerodynamics were revolutionary for the time, with a low, wide body. The initial engine was a 4.7-liter V8, but later versions received a 7.0-liter unit producing over 480 horsepower. In 1966, the GT40 Mk II achieved the first victory at Le Mans, with a historic podium sweep: the top three finishers were all Fords, including the famous 1-2-3 finish.

Overall, the Ford GT40 won Le Mans in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969. The 1967 Mk IV was the only car entirely designed in the United States to win the race. After its dominance, the FIA changed the rules to limit engine displacement, ending the era of big displacement engines. The GT40 inspired the 2005 Ford GT supercar and the 2016 Ford GT, keeping the racing heritage alive.

Curiosity: the most famous example is the GT40 chassis P/1046, which won Le Mans in 1966 driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. Today, original GT40s are worth millions of dollars and are museum and collector pieces, revered as symbols of American automotive engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Ford GT40 created?

The GT40 was created because Henry Ford II wanted to buy Ferrari, but Enzo Ferrari refused. So Ford decided to build a car that could beat Ferrari on the track, specifically at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

How many times did the Ford GT40 win Le Mans?

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

What engine did the Ford GT40 use?

Initially it used a 4.7-liter V8. The winning versions at Le Mans, like the Mk II, used a 7.0-liter V8 producing over 480 horsepower.