Who designed the original Ford GT40?
The original GT40’s design traces back to Eric Broadley, founder of Lola Cars, who created the Lola GT that Ford adapted into the GT40.
Ford’s Le Mans mission in the early 1960s led them to acquire Broadley’s Lola GT concept and mass-produce it as the Ford GT40. The early prototypes were built by Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, with Broadley’s design serving as the starting point. Over the course of development, Ford engineers and racing partners—most notably Roy Lunn, John Wyer, and Carroll Shelby—shaped the car into the successful racing machine that dominated Le Mans in the mid- to late 1960s. While Broadley provided the initial concept, the GT40’s ultimate form emerged from a collaborative engineering effort under Ford’s direction.
Origins of the GT40’s design
The GT40 began as Ford’s bid to beat Ferrari at Le Mans and relied on an external design as its starting point. The key designers and engineers who contributed to turning Broadley’s Lola GT concept into a race-ready car are listed below.
- Eric Broadley (Lola Cars) — designer of the Lola GT that formed the GT40’s initial blueprint.
- Roy Lunn — Ford Advanced Vehicles engineer who led the early chassis and structural development, translating Broadley’s concept into a working prototype.
- John Wyer — Ford’s competition director who guided the program’s overall strategy and racing development.
- Carroll Shelby — American racer and engineer who collaborated with Ford on the American versions of the GT40 and contributed to performance refinements.
These figures collectively defined the GT40’s genesis: Broadley’s Lola GT concept provided the starting styling and configuration, while Ford’s engineering and racing teams adapted and refined the design for competition.
How the design evolved into a racing winner
After its initial conception, the GT40 underwent significant development to become a race-winning machine. The collaboration blended European engineering with American racing expertise, culminating in the Mk II version that achieved Le Mans success and cemented the GT40’s place in motorsport history.
- Ford Advanced Vehicles (Slough) — produced the early GT40s and implemented the initial engineering changes under Roy Lunn’s direction.
- Shelby American — refined the American-spec GT40, focusing on reliability, power, and endurance for U.S. competition.
- John Wyer’s team — continued development and operations for factory-backed GT40 efforts, coordinating race strategy and further refinements.
The GT40’s Le Mans victories (1966–1969) were the result of this evolution: Broadley’s concept, Ford’s engineering execution, and strategic racing partnerships all contributed to the car’s ultimate success.
Summary
The original design credit for the Ford GT40 goes to Eric Broadley of Lola Cars, whose Lola GT concept provided the blueprint that Ford adapted. While Broadley created the starting point, the GT40’s final form and success came from a collaborative effort among Ford’s engineers (notably Roy Lunn), Ford’s competition leadership (John Wyer), and American collaborator Carroll Shelby. The result was a legendary race car that dominated Le Mans in the late 1960s and left a lasting legacy in automotive design.
Who helped design the Ford GT?
Camilo Pardo, the then head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays.
Who originally designed the GT40?
Ford bought a pair of the GTs and hired Broadley, John Wyer and Roy Lunn to create a Ford version, the GT40. The name? Naturally, GT is for Grand Turismo, while the 40 refers to the car's height in inches. Officially the car was labeled Ford GT, the GT40 being more of a nickname.
How much is a 1966 Ford GT40 worth?
The price for a 1966 Ford GT40 varies significantly based on its specific model (Mk I vs. Mk II), condition, and racing history, ranging from a few million dollars for a road car to over $13 million for a historic race car. For example, a 1966 Mk I road car recently sold for $7 million, while a rare 1966 Mk II with a significant racing resume sold for $13.2 million.
Price examples for a 1966 Ford GT40
- 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I Road Car: A rare road car from this year, one of only 31 produced, sold for $7.04 million in January 2025. Another 1966 Mk I road car sold for $6.93 million in January 2024.
- 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Race Car: A 1966 Mk II with a notable Le Mans and Sebring racing history sold for $13.2 million in March 2025, the highest auction price ever for a GT40 at that time.
- General Valuation: Hagerty estimates a typical 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I in good condition with average specs to be around $5.05 million. For a 1966 Mk II, Hagerty estimates a value of about $6.875 million for one in good condition with average specs.
Factors that influence price
- Model: The specific model, like the competitive Mk II or the road-going Mk I, greatly affects the price.
- History: A car's racing history, especially if it competed in major events like Le Mans or Sebring, can increase its value significantly.
- Condition: The car's physical condition, including mileage, original parts, and maintenance history, plays a major role in its value.
Did Carroll Shelby help design the GT40?
Shelby was involved with the AC Cobra and Mustang for the Ford Motor Company. With driver Ken Miles, he developed the Ford GT40, the car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969.
