Originally posted by milefile
It's a tough call. Probably the GT based on looks alone. And it's the GT not a GT40.
QUOTE]
Originally posted by GTChamp2003
What is beautifull on the picture above.It looks like it's going to fall apart.
I don't get it.Explain to me what's so good about the car.[/QUOTE]
Going to try and answer both of these.
Firstly the issue of GT, GT40, etc.
The name depends on which car you are talking about:
Race Car 1964 - 1969 = Ford GT40
Road Car 1965 - 1968 = Ford GT40
Concept Car 2002 = Ford GT40
Road Car 2003 - Current = Ford GT
The reason for the change in name for the current production car lies in the fact that Ford sold the rights to the name GT40 to a kit car company called Safir Engineering in the '70s. Ford acquired the rights for use only on the concept and when they came to put the new car in production Safir wanted millions to sell the name back to Ford. Ford refused and went with the name GT.
Now, the reason I love the GT40/GT.
Its history.
Back in the 60s Ford came close to buying Ferrari, however Enzo pulled out of the deal at the last minute, enraging Ford.
Ford wanted revenge and the best way they saw to get it was to beat Ferrari at its own game, GT racing. In particular Le Mans; not having a car or the expertise to develop one they turned to Lola Racing in the UK. Lola had run the Lola GT at Le Mans in 1963, setting very fast times but failing to finish.
Buying up the rights to the car and using a 4.2 Ford V8 they assigned ex-Aston Martin man John Wyer the job of developing the car. Three raced at Le Mans in 1964, named GT40 because the sat 40inches high, they failed to finish but set fast times.
Ford moved development for the next year to the US under the management of Carroll Shelby. The V8 was replaced with a 7.0 unit and the MkII ran at Le Mans in 1965, but again failed to finish.
In 1966 the MkIII version scored a 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans, and delivered the slap in the face to Ferrari that had been the cars aim. In 1967 the MkIV once again won at Le Mans.
At this point Ford quit the game while ahead, but GT40s ruled at Le Mans for the next two years racing under the Gulf oil banner.
The road car was produced from the MkIII race car and only 31 examples were officially made.
In 2002 Ford wheeled out the GT40 concept, promising to build the car in a production guise if demand was high enough and to celebrate the companys centenary.
Public and press response was high and the car went into production in 2003 as the Ford GT, press drives of the car have praised its speed, handling and road holding. It truly is a homage to one of the greatest cars ever made, both for the road and track.
As a side note it should be mentioned that since 1969, Ferrari has never again had an outright victory at Le Mans, so the legacy of the original GT40 still lives on.
Thats why I love the GT40 and if you ever get a chance to see the 1969 Le Mans 24hrs where the GT40 beat the Porsche it is one of the greatest races ever.
Anyway, I like the old GT40 too it's just I have to stick with my all time car.
