How Ford's GT40 Changed Racing Forever

Ford Against Ferrari

In 1963, a failed business deal sparked one of the greatest rivalries in motorsport history—Ford Against Ferrari. When Enzo Ferrari abruptly rejected Henry Ford II's buyout offer, it triggered a racing revolution that would change Le Mans forever. And this is the whole story.

The Rise Of Henry Ford II

Born into automotive royalty in 1917, Henry Ford II wasn't content riding on his great-grandfather's coattails. After serving in the Navy during WWII, he took Ford's reins in 1945 at just 26. Young Henry had big plans to shake up the company, but no one predicted just how far he'd go to prove Ford's worth.

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The Ferrari Affair

May 1963 marked a turning point for Ford Motor Company. Negotiations to acquire Ferrari were proceeding smoothly until Enzo Ferrari discovered a deal-breaking clause. Ford's demand for control over Ferrari's racing program—the proud Italian wouldn't have it. The deal collapsed, leaving Henry Ford II furious and determined to get revenge.

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Birth Of A Mission

Stung by Ferrari's rejection, Henry Ford II issued a clear directive: build a race car to crush Ferrari at Le Mans. The mission would cost millions and push engineering limits, but Ford was willing to spare no expense to prove American ingenuity could triumph over Italian racing dominance.

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The Dream Team Forms

Determined to win, Ford assembled an elite squad for their racing mission. Roy Lunn stepped in as chief engineer, and brought in innovative design expertise. Racing legend Carroll Shelby joined as team manager, while John Wyer's strategic brilliance would guide operations. This dream team had one goal.

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Starting With Lola

The GT40's story began with the Lola Mk6, a British race car by Eric Broadley. Ford acquired the rights and used it as the foundation for their new racing weapon. On March 16, 1964, the first GT40 chassis rolled out of Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, UK.

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The Name Is Born

Standing just 40 inches tall, the sleek racer earned its GT40 designation from its ultra-low profile. This wasn't just about looking good; every inch was calculated for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The car's distinctive height would become its calling card and an integral part of racing history.

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Early Disappointments

Despite its impressive specs and 4.2-liter V8 power, the GT40's first outings proved humbling. Mechanical failures plagued the car at Le Mans, with Ferrari continuing their winning streak. However, rather than admit defeat, these setbacks only fueled Ford's determination to succeed. Did you expect anything else?

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Evolution Of Power

By mid-1965, Ford's engineers had learned hard lessons from their early failures. The GT40 Mark II emerged with significant improvements, including a more powerful engine. These changes transformed the car from a promising contender into a genuine threat to Ferrari's dominance.

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Engineering Breakthrough

Just when things were getting better, the GT40's development team faced a critical challenge in managing heat. Racing at 200+ mph generated enormous temperatures that could melt components. Engineers devised an innovative cooling system with strategic air intakes and vents. Phew!

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The Shelby Touch

Carroll Shelby's influence transformed the GT40 program in 1965. The Texan racing legend brought his hands-on approach and practical racing experience. Under his guidance, the team focused less on theory and more on real-world performance improvements, as every modification had to prove its worth on the track.

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Power Revolution

The Mark II GT40 packed a mighty punch with its 7.0-liter V8 engine. This massive powerplant, derived from Ford's NASCAR program, produced over 485 horsepower. The big-block engine might have seemed crude to European competitors, but its brutal effectiveness would soon silence all critics.

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Testing Times

Miles of testing at Sebring revealed critical weaknesses in the GT40's design. Thankfully, every failure provided valuable data for improvements. The team worked around the clock, modifying brakes, suspension, and aerodynamics. Each change brought them closer to their Le Mans dream.

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1965: The Learning Year

Throughout 1965, the GT40 showed flashes of brilliance mixed with heartbreaking failures. Speed wasn't the issue—reliability was. The car could outpace Ferraris but struggled to finish races. These setbacks forced Ford to rethink their entire approach to endurance racing if beating Ferrari was the goal.

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The Perfect Storm

By early 1966, all elements aligned for Ford's assault on Le Mans. They had the right car, the right team, and the right drivers, the perfect recipe. Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon, Ken Miles, and Denny Hulme would pilot three GT40 Mark IIs. Victory seemed within reach.

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1966: The Historic Race

The 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours marked Ford's finest hour. GT40s didn't just win; they dominated. Taking first, second, and third places, Ford achieved total victory over Ferrari. The sight of three GT40s crossing the finish line together became an iconic moment in motorsport history. But hold on a minute.

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Ken Mile's Controversial Near Victory

Ken Miles, leading with Denny Hulme, was poised to win the 1966 Le Mans. Ford staged a photo finish with its GT40 cars, but tie-breaking rules favored Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, whose car started farther back. They were declared winners, costing Miles a deserved victory despite his dominance.

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Behind The Victory

Ford's 1966 Le Mans triumph required more than just fast cars. Over 100 personnel, multiple pit crews, and countless spare parts supported the effort. The team even constructed a special garage dubbed "Kar-Kraft" solely for GT40 development and maintenance.

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Legacy Begins

The GT40's success continued with consecutive Le Mans victories in 1967, 1968, and 1969. Each win added to the car's legendary status. Ferrari never regained their Le Mans crown during this period, proving Henry Ford II's ambitious gamble had paid off spectacularly.

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Evolution Continues

As racing regulations changed, the GT40 evolved. The Mark III became a limited-production road car, while the Mark IV represented the ultimate development of the racing version. Each iteration maintained the car's distinctive profile while incorporating technological improvements.

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The Mark IV Emerges

Ford's engineers created the Mark IV GT40 entirely in America. Featuring an advanced aluminum honeycomb chassis and improved aerodynamics, this version won Le Mans in 1967. Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt piloted the car to victory. They set a speed record that stood for five years.

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Building For The Public

In response to growing demand, Ford developed the GT40 Mark III for road use. Only seven street-legal versions left the factory. These rare machines featured leather trim, quieter exhaust systems, and luggage space. Each car sold for an astronomical $18,500 in 1967.

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Racing Innovations

The GT40's success drove significant technological advances. Engineers pioneered new aerodynamic concepts and this included adjustable spoilers and advanced cooling systems. Many of these Ford racing innovations later appeared in regular Ford vehicles. This simply proved that racing could improve road cars.

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End Of An Era

By 1969, the GT40's competitive life was drawing to a close. Modern prototype racers appeared with radical designs. Yet the GT40 secured one final Le Mans victory that year. It showed that its exceptional design could still compete against newer technology.

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Preservation Period

Through the 1970s and '80s, surviving GT40s became prized collector items. Owners would carefully preserve these historic racers, occasionally displaying them at vintage events. Original GT40s now rank among the most valuable cars ever built, with prices exceeding $10 million.

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Modern Revival Dreams

In the late 1990s, Ford's designers began sketching concepts for a new GT, which was about time. However, they faced a challenging question: How could they honor the GT40's legacy while creating a modern supercar? The answer would take years to perfect.

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New Century, New GT

As expected, Ford debuted the new GT concept car in 2002, sparking worldwide excitement. The design captured the GT40's spirit while incorporating modern technology. Production began in 2004, with the car featuring a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 producing 550 horsepower.

Ford GT40 Ford Employee Reveal 2002 by King Rose Archives

Production Challenges

With new tech, new measures, right? Well, building the 2004 GT required special facilities and techniques. Each car took multiple days to assemble, with skilled technicians hand-fitting many components. Ford produced just over 4,000 units between 2004 and 2006, maintaining exclusivity.

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Track To The Street

The first-generation Ford GT proved its worth on public roads. Magazines recorded 0–60 mph times of 3.5 seconds and top speeds exceeding 200 mph. These numbers matched or exceeded many contemporary supercars and it validated Ford's engineering prowess.

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Second Generation Development

Ford's engineers started fresh for the second-generation GT, revealed in 2015. They chose a radical approach: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 instead of a V8. This decision sparked controversy but demonstrated Ford's commitment to modern technology.

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Technology Showcase

The 2017 GT introduced revolutionary features. Its carbon fiber construction and active aerodynamics set new standards. The hydraulic suspension could drop the car by 50mm in Track Mode, while the rear wing automatically adjusted for maximum downforce.

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Return To Le Mans

Fifty years after the GT40's first victory, the new Ford GT won its class at Le Mans in 2016. This victory proved the new car's capabilities and honored its predecessor's legacy. It was clear that Ford's continued racing excellence transcended across generations.

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Production Artistry

The making of each modern GT requires over 40 hours of meticulous hand assembly. Multimatic, Ford's Canadian partner, builds these cars using specialized advanced techniques. The attention to detail includes hand-laid carbon fiber panels and precision-calibrated suspension components, among many others.

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Performance Metrics

The latest GT generates 647 horsepower from its EcoBoost V6. This powerplant launches the car to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Top speed reaches 216 mph and it surpasses many conventional supercars. These numbers validate Ford's innovative engineering approach.

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Limited Availability

If you want a Ford off the shelf, think again. Ford carefully selects GT buyers through an application process. Potential owners must demonstrate their enthusiasm for cars to actually drive them. It's an unusual approach to ensure these special vehicles go to true automotive enthusiasts.

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Special Editions

Today, Ford offers unique GT variants celebrating racing heritage. The '66 Heritage Edition honors the original Le Mans victory, while the Liquid Carbon version showcases its bare carbon fiber construction. Each special model adds to anyone's GT collector appeal.

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Racing Evolution

Modern GT race cars compete in various international series, including the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship. The GTE Pro class version has secured victories at Le Mans 24 Hours, Daytona, and Sebring. Such achievements prove the GT remains a competitive force in contemporary motorsport.

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Future Vision

Everything has an end, right? Well, Ford announced that 2022 marked the GT's final year of production. The last examples feature special paint schemes and enhanced performance packages to make them stand out. These ultimate versions represent the pinnacle of Ford's supercar engineering.

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Lasting Impact

From its birth as an act of revenge to its current status as a technological showcase, the GT story spans nearly 60 years. This legendary program proved American engineering could compete with anyone. And today, the GT's influence on automotive culture remains stronger than ever.

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Cultural Icon

Today, both vintage GT40s and modern GTs draw crowds at car shows. Their impact extends beyond racing into popular culture, appearing in movies, games, music videos, and art. These vehicles represent the ultimate expression of Ford's performance capabilities, all thanks to the main man himself, Henry Ford II.

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Looking Forward

Even though GT production ended a few years back, its spirit lives on in Ford's performance vehicles. The lessons learned, technologies developed, and racing heritage gained continue shaping Ford's future. The GT story proves that passion, determination, engineering excellence, and a phenomenal team can change automotive history.

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Record-Breaking Sales

Vintage GT40s command extraordinary prices at auctions. In 2020, a GT40 prototype sold for $7.65 million. When it comes to the original race cars, these fetch even more, with the 1968 Gulf Oil GT40 reaching $11 million. These prices are deserving as they personify the brand's historical significance.

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Digital Legacy

You might not see any new GT on the roads, but on screens because the GT's have become virtual racing feats. They are featured in numerous video games and simulators, and digital versions let millions experience these legendary machines. From Forza Motorsport to Gran Turismo.

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Design Influence

GT styling cues have also inspired modern vehicle design worldwide. For instance, the low-slung profile, distinctive air intakes, and powerful stance appear in various sports cars. Automotive designers often cite the GT40 and GT as influences for their contemporary work.

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Environmental Evolution

Finally, Ford's racing technology transitions toward sustainability. Future performance cars will likely combine GT-derived aerodynamics with electric powertrains to reduce emissions and increase sustainability. This evolution shows how racing innovations adapt to changing times while maintaining the spirit of competition.

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