Did the GT40 have a 427?
The GT40 did indeed use a 427 cubic inch V8 in some of its most famous variants, notably the Mk II and Mk IV, which crowned Ford with Le Mans wins in 1966 and 1967. Other GT40 versions started with smaller engines, so the 427 was not universal across all models.
Here is a detailed look at how the 427 cubic inch engine appeared in the GT40 family, which models it powered, and why Ford chose this large displacement for endurance racing.
GT40 engine history and the 427
The Ford GT40 was developed to challenge Ferrari at Le Mans and evolved through several variants, each with different engines. While the earliest GT40 prototypes used smaller V8s, the most famous 427-powered iterations came with the Mk II and Mk IV, designed for high-speed endurance racing and long-distance reliability.
Before the list, note that the GT40’s engine choices varied by chassis and purpose—for factory race cars, privateer entrants, and road-going variants. The following points summarize where the 427 found its place.
GT40 variants and their engines
- GT40 Mk I (including early prototypes) — primarily equipped with smaller Ford V8s (around 4.2 to 4.7 liters, roughly 260–289 cubic inches). The 427 did not appear in these initial cars.
- GT40 Mk II — introduced for the 1966 season, powered by a 427 cubic inch (7.0 L) Ford FE V8, typically configured for endurance racing with multiple carburetors and a robust side‑oil lubrication system. This engine powered the car that won Le Mans in 1966.
- GT40 Mk IV — built for the 1967 season as a road-legal/heritage variant and adapted for Le Mans, using the same 7.0 L 427 V8 family with tuning suitable for endurance competition. This configuration contributed to the 1967 Le Mans victory.
In summary, the 427 was not standard across all GT40s, but it became iconic for the Mk II and Mk IV race cars, cementing the 427 as a defining element of Ford’s Le Mans assault in the mid-1960s.
Why the 427 mattered for the GT40
Summary
The GT40 did have a 427 engine, but only in select versions. The Mk II and Mk IV were powered by the 7.0 L Ford FE V8 (the 427), enabling Ford to win Le Mans in 1966 and 1967. Earlier Mk I cars used smaller V8s, and not the 427. This distinction helps explain why the GT40's most enduring legacy is tied to the mighty 427 rather than the smaller-displacement beginnings.
