What engine was in the gt40 that won Lemans?
The winning GT40s at Le Mans were powered by a 7.0-liter Ford V8 engine (427 cubic inches).
This big-block powerplant powered Ford's Le Mans-winning cars in 1966, 1967, and 1968, helping the GT40 claim a historic trilogy of victories. The program’s success stemmed not just from the engine but the complete package of chassis, aerodynamics, and race tuning that Ford developed in the mid-to-late 1960s.
The engine at the heart of Ford's Le Mans wins
The GT40s that captured Le Mans were powered by a large 7.0 L V8, commonly known as the 427 cubic inch V8. It formed the backbone of Ford's Le Mans campaign during the pivotal years and was paired with racing-specific suspensions and aerodynamics to deliver victory.
Variants and where the engine appeared
Throughout the GT40’s Le Mans era, the winning cars relied on the 427 cubic inch V8, though the chassis designs (Mk II, Mk IV) varied. The engine itself was derived from Ford's FE big-block family and tuned for endurance racing to balance power with reliability.
Key facts about the engine across the winning cars:
- Displacement: 7.0 liters (427 cubic inches)
- Configuration: V8, naturally aspirated, overhead-valve design
- Induction: four-barrel carburetion arrangements used in endurance racing (Weber or Holley variants)
- Family: Ford FE-based big-block V8
In practice, the 427 V8 delivered the necessary combination of power and reliability to win Le Mans for Ford during the GT40 era.
Related context: GT40 variants that won Le Mans
Ford's Le Mans-winning GT40s came in several variants, notably the Mk II and Mk IV for the 1966 and 1967 wins. While chassis and bodywork evolved, the powertrain that defined these victories remained the 427 cubic inch V8, cementing the engine's place in endurance racing history.
Summary
The Le Mans-winning GT40s relied on a 7.0-liter Ford V8 engine—the 427 cubic inch powerplant—that powered Ford to a trio of victories in the late 1960s. The combination of this engine with purpose-built chassis and aerodynamics secured Ford’s place in endurance racing lore.
