Ford GT40 and GT MkII 1963-1969

In 1962, Ford Motor President ended up convinced that his Company needed a new image for attracting new customers. Competition was the selected “tool” for this image build up and victory at Le Mans 24 hours one key target. After unconclusive negotiation to adquire Ferrari, Ford decide to fight Ferrari with newly developed racing cars. Lola GT prototype with Ford V8 in central position in a monocoque chassis (1963) was purchased as development testbed ; Eric Broadley its manufacturer is hired as a consultant.

The first Ford GT appears at Le Mans in 1964; It is a mid engined GT prototype powered by Ford V8 4,7 liters . It will require two years of development and a change to a 7,0 liter V8 (making it Ford MkII) to reach the victory lane at Le Mans . Ford accumulated 4 victories at Le Mans with factory entered cars and private teams.
A number of racing versions were sold to private teams and several road versions of the Ford GT 40 were built.