What is the difference between the Ford GT and the GT40?
The Ford GT and the GT40 are both high-performance sports cars produced by Ford, but they are distinct models with different design and engineering features. The Ford GT is a modern supercar, while the GT40 is a legendary race car from the 1960s.
The Ford GT
The Ford GT is a mid-engine, two-seat sports car that was first introduced in 2005 and then revived in 2016. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces over 600 horsepower, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and reach top speeds of over 200 mph. The Ford GT features a sleek, aerodynamic design with gull-wing doors and a carbon fiber body, making it a true modern supercar.,
The GT40
The GT40 is a mid-engine sports car that was produced by Ford from 1964 to 1969. It was designed to compete with and defeat the dominant Ferrari race cars of the time, and it achieved this goal by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race four times in a row from 1966 to 1969. The GT40 was powered by a V8 engine that produced around 500 horsepower, and it had a distinctive low-slung design with a long, sleek body and a short, stubby rear end.p>
Key Differences
- Design: The Ford GT has a more modern, aerodynamic design, while the GT40 has a more classic, race-inspired look.
- Engine: The Ford GT has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, while the GT40 had a V8 engine.
- Performance: The Ford GT is a more powerful and faster car, with over 600 horsepower and a top speed of over 200 mph, compared to the GT40's 500 horsepower and lower top speed.
- Purpose: The Ford GT is a modern supercar designed for street and track use, while the GT40 was a race car designed to compete in endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In summary, while both the Ford GT and the GT40 are high-performance sports cars produced by Ford, they are distinct models with different design, engineering, and performance characteristics. The Ford GT is a modern supercar, while the GT40 is a legendary race car from the 1960s.
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 ...
Is the Ford GT and GT40 the same?
Although the cars are visually related, structurally, there is no similarity between the modern GT and the 1960s GT40 that inspired it. After six weeks from the unveiling of the GT40 concept, Ford announced a limited production run of the car.
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 GT stand for?
Grand tourerGrand tourer / Full name
The concept of the GT car emerged from Europe in the mid-1900s, with the goal of being both a high-performance automobile and a long-distance driver. So GT — meaning grand tourer or gran tourer — makes sense.
What does GT stand for in a Ford GT40?
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.
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.
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 makes the Ford GT40 so special?
The Ford GT40 is a high-performance mid-engined racing car originally designed and built for and by the Ford Motor Company to compete in 1960s European endurance racing. Its specific impetus was to best Scuderia Ferrari, which had won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race for six years running from 1960 to 1965.
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.
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.
