From Le Mans to the road: the unforgettable history of the Ford GT40
Published on Aug 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM | By Alessandro Renesis
Born from a bitter rivalry and engineered for victory, the Ford GT40 is more than a car: it’s a motorsport legend and cultural icon that still lived today in its modern form, the Ford GT.
In the 1960s, it redefined racing history by dethroning Ferrari at Le Mans, showcasing American ingenuity on a global stage, possibly for the first time, especially at this level.
From its intense development to its rare road-going versions and modern reincarnations, the GT40’s story is legendary.
The birth of a rivalry – Ford v Ferrari
In the early 1960s, Henry Ford II wanted to buy Ferrari to boost Ford’s motorsport credentials.
Enzo Ferrari initially said yes, but when he abruptly backed out, humiliated by Ford’s terms, a feud was ignited.
Henry Ford II vowed to beat Ferrari at their own game: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Ferrari had been dominating for years.
This sparked the GT40 program, a bold mission to create a car capable of ending Ferrari’s reign.
Ford poured millions into the project, partnering with top engineers and racing minds to build a machine that would not only compete but dominate.
The GT40, named for its 40-inch height, became a symbol of corporate revenge, embodying Ford’s determination to prove itself on the world’s toughest racetrack
Engineering a legend – the GT40’s development
The GT40’s creation was a global effort.
Ford collaborated with British firm Lola, leveraging their Mk6 chassis, and enlisted American racing legend Carroll Shelby to refine the car.
Early Mk1 models, powered by a 4.7-liter V8, faced reliability issues, including gearbox failures and aerodynamic flaws.
But engineers iterated rapidly, evolving the design through Mk2, Mk3, and Mk4 variants.
The Mk2 and the Mk4 are the ones that made history, chiefly because of 7.0-liter V8 and lightweight chassis.
Challenges like cooling issues and crashes tested the team, but by 1966, the GT40 was a refined beast, ready to take on Le Mans and cement its place in history.
Dominance at Le Mans
The GT40’s legacy was forged at Le Mans, where it achieved an unprecedented four-year winning streak from 1966 to 1969.
The 1966 race was its defining moment: a stunning 1-2-3 finish with the Mk2, driven by legends like Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, crushed Ferrari’s 330 P3.
The Mk2’s 7.0-liter V8 powered it to 201 mph on the Mulsanne Straight, which is impressive even by today’s standard.
In 1967, Ford won again, this time with the Mk4, with drivers Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt at the wheel.
The GT40’s final wins in 1968 and 1969, led by drivers like Pedro Rodríguez, solidified its status as Ferrari’s slayer.
The GT40 road cars – taking the track to the street
While built for racing, the GT40 also spawned rare road-going versions, primarily the Mk1.
Only about 30 road-spec Mk1s were produced, modified with softer suspensions, quieter exhausts, and creature comforts like leather interiors to meet homologation requirements.
These cars retained the race car’s sleek design and 4.7-liter V8, but they also offered collectors a taste of Le Mans performance.
Priced exorbitantly even in the 1960s, they were exclusive, and they’re even more exclusive (and expensive) today.
The road GT40s blended raw power with street-legal practicality made them timeless icons.
Modern legacy – the Ford GT
The GT40’s spirit lives on in Ford’s modern supercars.
The 2005–2006 Ford GT, a retro-styled tribute, featured a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 producing 550 hp, combining nostalgic design with modern performance.
The 2017–2022 Ford GT took it further, with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 delivering 660 hp and advanced aerodynamics, earning wins at Le Mans in 2016.
Both models honored the GT40’s low-slung silhouette and racing DNA, but both were a lot more modern and suitable for today’s traffic.
And both, just like the original GT40, are very difficult to find, and extremely costly to own if you manage to buy one.
Why the GT40 still captivates collectors today
The GT40’s allure endures, with pristine examples fetching millions at supercar auctions.
A 1966 Mk1 sold for $7.6 million in 2022, reflecting its rarity and historical significance.
The 2019 film Ford v Ferrari amplified its cultural presence, showcasing the dramatic Ford-Ferrari rivalry to new audiences.
The fact the car is limited to no more than 133 units (across all variants) adds exclusivity.
For car collectors, owning a GT40 – along with other equally iconic Ford vehicles – is still a Holy Grail.
Dive into the GT40’s world by exploring supercar auctions on SBX Cars today.
