This article is about the winning racing vehicle from the 1960 Le Mans. See Ford GT for the supercar it served as an inspiration for, and DEC GT40 for the graphic computer terminal it influenced. Ford GT is a trademark (disambiguation).
The Ford Motor Company commissioned the high-performance endurance racing Ford GT40. It developed from the “Ford GT” (for Grand Touring) project, an attempt to fight against Ferrari in renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans races in Europe from 1960 to 1965. Ford had success with the GT40, winning the competitions from 1966 until 1969.
Ford Advanced Vehicles started construction of the GT40 Mk I, based on the Lola Mk6, at their facility in Slough, UK, in the early 1960s. Following underwhelming performance in races, the engineering team was relocated to Dearborn, Michigan, in 1964. (Kar Kraft). Several American-built Ford V8 engines that had been adapted for racing powered the range.
The GT40 Mk II ended Ferrari’s winning streak at Le Mans in 1966, becoming the first American manufacturer to win a significant European race since Jimmy Murphy’s Duesenberg victory at the 1921 French Grand Prix. The Mk IV was the only vehicle wholly developed and produced in the United States to take home the overall Le Mans victory in 1967.
The Mk I, the oldest of the vehicles, won in 1968 and 1969, becoming the second chassis to do so. (Until the Ferrari 275P chassis 0816 was found to have won the 1964 race after winning the 1963 race in 250P format and with an 0814 chassis plate, this Ford/Shelby chassis, #P-1075, was thought to have been the first.) With the addition of bespoke alloy Gurney-Weslake cylinder heads, its American Ford V8 engine’s 4.7-liter displacement capacity (289 cubic inches) was increased to 4.9 liters (302 cubic inches).
The “40” stood for its minimum permitted height of 40 inches (1.02 m), measured at the windshield. The initial 12 “prototype” cars had serial numbers ranging from GT-101 to GT-112. The Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, and Mk IV were officially referred to as “GT40s” once “production” started and were given the numbers GT40P/1000 through GT40P/1145. J1–J12 were the Mk IVs’ serial numbers.
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At the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race in June 1966, Bruce McLaren, Henry Ford II, and Chris Amon were there.
In 1964, Ford Motor Company began making an effort to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. After two disastrous seasons in which Fords were unable to even complete the race, the American carmaker experienced an exciting 1-2-3 sweep in 1966. On the podium, Henry Ford II celebrated the decisive victory alongside the two New Zealand-born race winners, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
The Real Meaning of “Ford v. Ferrari”
A battle of the automobile titans took place. At the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event, a long-awaited battle pitting upstart Ford against reigning champion Ferrari for the checkered flag and bragging rights.
Enzo Ferrari, a former race car driver and the creator of the brand bearing his name, was the representative of the old world. The Ford GT40, a new version of a car that would go on to become a classic of international motor racing, and the skills of automotive designer Carroll Shelby were used by Henry Ford II to carry the torch for the new world.
Who was the Ford driver who defeated Ferrari?
Ford v Ferrari’s depiction of Ken Miles’ passing isn’t too dissimilar from the truth, despite some specifics being altered for the sake of the narrative.
Ford v Ferrari’s depiction of Ken Miles’ passing isn’t too dissimilar from the truth, despite some specifics being altered for the sake of the narrative. The real-life account of Ford’s victory over the defending champion Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans has long been a Hollywood dream come true, and for good reason. It’s a fascinating story of squabbling egos, backroom dealings, and gifted artists trying to strike a balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability. It all culminates in a thrilling car race where one wrong move could result in a catastrophic collision and possibly instantaneous death for the drivers.
Ford v Ferrari, directed by James Mangold, eventually made it to the big screen after an earlier version starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt failed (Logan). In the movie, Matt Damon plays Carroll Shelby, a former racecar driver-turned-automotive designer tasked with creating the Ford GT40, a new racing vehicle that will enable Ford to finally dethrone Ferrari as the winners of the yearly Le Mans competition. Previously collaborating with Mangold on his 3:10 to Yuma adaptation, Christian Bale co-stars as Ken Miles, a highly skilled but temperamental World War II veteran turned professional racer who Shelby (an old friend) asks to assist him.
The film tragically shows how Miles was killed while testing a new Ford automobile (the J-car) at the Riverside International Raceway in Southern California, just a few months after Ford defeated Ferrari in the 1966 Le Mans (and he missed out on being the individual winner on a technicality). In reality, Miles was thrown from the car and killed instantly as it unexpectedly flipped, crashed, and caught fire for reasons that are still unknown to this day. After a full day of test runs, something happened just as the driver was approaching the track’s end. Viewers are dealt a cruel blow as the last laps of Ford v. Ferrari are wrapping up.
Ford versus Ferrari: Which automobile triumphs?
Ford suffers another setback as Ferrari’s new 330 P4 destroys its GT40s in the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours, taking the race in a humiliating 1-2-3 finish, only months after Miles died in testing.
However, Shelby has the solution in the form of a brand-new, American-made vehicle named the Mark IV. It gets its revenge at the next year’s Le Mans with famous drivers Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt after a fantastic race that features a time when the leaders come to a stop out on the course in the most strange stand-off in motorsport history!
Which Ford can outrun a Ferrari in speed?
Performance has long been associated with the name Shelby, particularly when it comes to the Mustang. The most potent Ford to date is the 2020 Shelby GT500. It produces 770 horsepower with a 5.2 liter supercharged V8, which is 50 more than the Ferrari. In contrast to the Challenger and Camaro, the Mustang excels where other American sports cars struggle with handling.
The GT500 accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3,5 seconds, which is half a second slower than the Ferrari but still more likely to keep up with the F8 on a track because to its potent engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.
In Ford vs. Ferrari, how quick was the Ford GT?
With a qualifying lap speed of 143 mph, Ford’s Dan Gurney won the pole position, and Miles was just over a second behind. Ford finished 1-2-3 at the Le Mans race thanks to the big-block GT40s’ aggression, which defeated the Ferrari entry’ subtlety and handling skills.
What prevented Ferrari from selling to Ford?
Sadly, the narrative is not quite so straightforward. Henry Ford II tried to buy Ferrari in 1963, according to The New York Times. However, according to Forbes, the real action begins in 1962. Ford was attempting to recover from a decline in sales at the time. Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca persuaded CEO Henry Ford II, the eldest son of Edsel Ford and the eldest grandson of Henry Ford, that the company should purchase a sports car in an effort to reverse the trend.
Ford was on the verge of acquiring Ferrari and all of its assets in 1963, making Ford’s ambitions of owning a sports car a reality. Forbes claims that Enzo Ferrari also anticipated the deal’s completion. Sadly, his excitement was short-lived when he learned that the deal had a provision that would give Ford control over the Ferrari racing team. Enzo rejected the agreement because he was unwilling to give up control of the Ferrari racing team.
Is Ford or Ferrari accurate?
Yes. The three Ford race vehicles that finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans race together have been captured on film and in photographs. Although Ken Miles had been several minutes ahead of the competition, Miles was awarded second place rather than first due to self-serving Ford orders and a technicality.
A Ferrari is faster than a Ford GT40, right?
Although we won’t constantly use the F8 as a primary benchmark, Ford tops it at top speed by 5 mph to start. 211 mph in the prancing horse against 216 mph in the blue oval-badged automobile. Although 5 mph may not seem like much, it actually expedites travel.
Is the Ferrari or Mustang faster?
Ferrari estimates that the vehicle will reach a top speed of 211 mph and reach 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. We suppose it was time for the GT500 to lose after witnessing it dominate most of the other vehicles it has competed against. In comparison to the Mustang’s time of 11.4 seconds at 132 mph, the Ferrari completed the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds.
Ford owns Shelby, right?
Carroll Shelby worked with Dodge during the 1980s as a result of his close friendship with Lee Iacocca. However, the Shelby name will always be associated with the Ford Performance Division. Shelby American, however, continues to exist separately. Enterprise, Nevada serves as the location of the headquarters.
Ford Performance re-released the Shelby Mustang in 2005. The GT badge was also brought back shortly after. Carroll Shelby died on May 11, 2012, yet he was able to secure the future of his business.
Shelby American creates authentically American performance vehicles with roots in Carroll Shelby’s past that go all the way back to his father’s two-door Ford car and his passion for flying extremely quickly in the storied B-26 bomber. Although Shelby American isn’t formally owned by Ford Motor Company, the Shelby story isn’t done, and collaborations with Ford Performance are certain to continue.
Shelby allegedly made Ford cry.
11 Henry Ford II Cried When He Saw The Speed And Power In the film, Shelby seizes Beebe and drives Henry Ford II away in the prototype to demonstrate the GT40’s capabilities. In the film, Henry Ford II sobs as a result.
Did all three Fords cross at once?
A remarkable conclusion to the real-life Le Mans of 1966 saw Ford defeat front-runner Ferrari when all three Ford vehicles finished in a tie. But the “Ford v Ferrari” portrayal contains some more drama.
A Ford GT40 costs how much?
When they first enter the market, Ford GTs are reputed to be quite pricey. You won’t be surprised to learn that they sell for just around $10 million given their extensive history and numerous victories. The special price can be explained by the fact that just 31 models were produced. At the time of its release, it was hard to locate. Therefore, we are unable to fathom how tough it would be to find one nowadays.
Even though one example did sell for $4 million, if you’re lucky don’t plan on paying anything less than the $10 million asking price. Owners will probably want to seize them with both hands and refuse to let go in exchange for a low price.
In conclusion, the Ford GT40 was a jaw-dropping vehicle in the making. Given that it received several accolades and has since become one of the most expensive GT models ever, the numerous reworks were obviously well worth the trouble.