Is the Ford GT and GT40 the same?
The Ford GT and the Ford GT40 are related but distinct high-performance sports cars produced by Ford Motor Company. While they share some design elements and heritage, they are not the same vehicle.
The Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 was a mid-engine sports car produced by Ford from 1964 to 1969. It was developed to challenge the dominance of Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, and the GT40 went on to win the race four times in a row from 1966 to 1969. The GT40 was designed to be a race car, with a focus on performance and aerodynamics.
The Ford GT
The Ford GT is a mid-engine sports car that was produced by Ford from 2005 to 2006, and then revived again from 2016 to the present day. The modern Ford GT was designed as a tribute to the original GT40, with styling cues and performance characteristics inspired by the legendary race car. However, the Ford GT is a distinct model, not a direct continuation of the GT40.
Key Differences
- The GT40 was a race car, while the Ford GT is a road-going sports car.
- The GT40 was produced from 1964 to 1969, while the Ford GT has been produced in two distinct generations, from 2005-2006 and 2016-present.
- The GT40 had a mid-engine layout and was designed specifically for endurance racing, while the Ford GT also has a mid-engine layout but is focused more on street performance.
- The GT40 was powered by a variety of Ford V8 engines, while the modern Ford GT uses a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
In summary, while the Ford GT and GT40 share a similar heritage and design inspiration, they are distinct models with different purposes and characteristics. The GT40 was a race-focused car, while the Ford GT is a modern interpretation of the classic design, optimized for street performance.
How many Ford GT40 are left?
three
Of the five initial GT40 prototypes, only three remain today, and the other two are currently in the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas.
What is the difference between Ford GT and GT40?
The GT is similar in outward appearance to the original GT40, but is bigger, wider, and most importantly 4 in (100 mm) taller than the original's 40 in (100 cm) overall height; as a result, a potential name for the car was the GT44.
Why is the Ford GT40 so special?
All chassis versions were powered by a series of American-built Ford V8 OHV engines modified for racing. In the 1966 Le Mans, the GT40 Mk II car broke Ferrari's winning streak, making Ford the first American manufacturer to win a major European race since Jimmy Murphy's Duesenberg in the 1921 French Grand Prix.
What does the GT stand for in Ford?
grand tourer
GT stands for grand tourer or gran tourer, a type of car that's designed with both long-distance driving and high speeds in mind. These vehicles typically combine luxury and performance attributes, more often than not featuring a 2+2 seating configuration.
Did Henry Ford cry in GT40?
5. Carroll Shelby never took Henry Ford II for a joyride in a GT40. As much as we wish this was true, it just never happened. In the film, Carrol Shelby takes Henry Ford II for a joyride in his creation, which results in the industry giant bursting into a mixture of sobbing and laughter.
What does GT40 stand for?
Grand Touring
The high-performance Ford GT40 is the dream child of Ford Motors, conceived in America and birthed in England. The GT stands for Grand Touring, and the 40 refers to its overall height in inches. It was produced from 1964-1969, and has since become an American racing icon.
Why was the GT40 banned?
According to the renowned World Registry of Cobras and GT40s, when the 1968 Le Mans rules was announced with the news of engine size regulations capped at 5-Liters, it essentially outlawed Ford's GT40 and Ford would turn the J-cars over to Kar Kraft of Brighton, Michigan, who would then assemble the last two cars, J-9 ...
Why is the Ford GT not called GT40?
Management instructed the designer that it needed to look like the original GT40, and Ford continued to call its new project the GT40 for some time after its announcement. But suddenly, Ford was forced to go with GT instead.
Is the GT40 a Shelby?
And win they did, Ford and Shelby combined for a 1-2-3 sweep of the 1966 race and the over all "W" for the four straight years (1966-1969). In honor of that historic win, Shelby American will build a limited run of (20) 50th Anniversary Shelby GT40 MKII cars to honor this historic racing platform.
What does gto stand for?
This ritual is summarized by the three most famous letters ever worn by an automobile: "GTO" stands for "Gran Turismo Omologato," which, loosely translated from the Italian, means homologated (recognized for competition) grand-touring car. Enzo could have christened his car "the ultimate," and we wouldn't quibble.
