Ford GT40 Prototype '1967-1969
Ford Motor Company is the second largest automaker in the United States and the fifth largest in the world. Its founder, Henry Ford, is one of the key figures in the history of American industry, the first businessman to organize the mass production of cars on an assembly line. The company was incorporated in 1903 in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit.
The Ford GT40 is an outstanding example of international collaboration with a single goal of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This ambitious project was brought to life thanks to the huge financial resources of the American auto giant Ford Motor Company and the engineering experience of British designers.
The result was one of the best racing cars in history, which was also mass-produced and became the first road supercar. After two years of development, trials and failures, the Ford GT40 still won Le Mans, and not once, but four times in a row!
In the early 60s. Ford has declared racing to be one of the main ways to advertise its products. She began taking part in competitions such as NASCAR and international rallies, as well as supplying engines for Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 cars. Endurance racing was considered an even more promising direction at the time, and Ford management set a goal to win the most prestigious award - the manufacturers' cup.
British firms Cooper, Lotus and Lola were considered as potential chassis suppliers. The first two were soon discarded due to their lack of experience, but Lola Cars found a suitable prototype called the Lola Mk VI GT - one of the most advanced racing cars. Lola owner and chief designer Eric Broadley agreed to cooperate for a year and sell two chassis to the Americans.
The first prototype, numbered Ford GT / 101, was presented in the spring of 1963 in New York, at the same time an article was written about it in the Automobile Quarterly magazine. Later the model was named Ford GT40, where GT was translated as Grand Touring, and the number 40 meant a total body height of 40 inches (1020 mm).
The design of the car was largely borrowed from the Lola Mk VI GT and included a sheet steel (semi-monocoque) space frame with a 96 "(2413 mm) wheelbase and lightweight fiberglass body panels. The independent suspension consisted of A-arms and springs at the front. trailing arms, wishbones and springs in the rear. In the center was a 4.2-liter V8 260 engine from the production Ford Fairlane in the same block with a 4-speed Colotti manual transmission. The engine with an aluminum block and heads, one lower camshaft with pushrods (OHV ), dry sump and 4-chamber carburetor developed 350 hp.
The Ford GT40 Mk III never raced: it was a special road version of the Le Mans winner. It was built on the GT40 Mk I chassis, but had several significant differences. In the center was a production 4.7-liter 289 V8 engine with 306 hp. from the Shelby Mustang GT350, equipped with a muffler and a simplified exhaust system. The cabin now has soundproofing, adjustable leather seats, carpet, radio, a 5-speed gear lever in the middle and another dashboard; the car was offered with both right and left hand drive.
The body has been redesigned to meet safety requirements and is slightly longer with the addition of a rear luggage compartment. The headlights were raised a little higher and consisted of double round lights and transparent caps, parking lights and some kind of bumpers were added to the front and rear. The GT40 Mk III also features spoked wheels, rear-view mirrors and full-height side window vents.
In addition, automotive magazines criticized the Ford GT40 Mk III for its impracticality, unreliability and downright uncomfortable interior. 1967-1969 only seven were built.
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Ford GT40 Prototype (M3/1101)' 1967-1969
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