The GT40 did kill ...( 9 months ago by the5thdominion)
The GT40 did kill Ferrari's overall win history at Le Mans, but it only won one world sportscar championship. That was one of Ford's major goals for the car, and Ford was infuriated (a second time at Ferrari) after Ferrari won back the title with the P4. Ford would never again win the title, and Ferrari went on to have other successes, albeit not at Le Mans, with such epic cars as the 312PB.
I have studied the ...( 9 months ago by ThadYaltis)
I have studied the entire history of Shelby's Cobras (inc the King Cobras), but not the GT40's yet, and am of the understanding that the cars (after the MK1 which was just known as the Ford GT then)were built in Slough, England. Why do you think that the best motorsport teams of the world (inc F1)often build their cars in the UK?
the deesign and ...( 8 months ago by marvinbenz)
the deesign and development of the Gt40 was all american but it was fords UK based factory that built and refined the chassis on european soil to compete and crush the ferraris at le mans.the Gt40 owned ferrari for three years in a row at le mans
Not strictly true. ...( 8 months ago by Fingerebob)
Not strictly true. The GT was co-designed by cheif Lola (british) designer, Ex-works Aston Martin designer (british) and the head of Ford perfomance (USA). But the point is, it was a great collabaration of Anglo-American design and engineering to dominate all the competition.
It did win that ...( 8 months ago by mwagne16)
It did win that championship over and over again. After coming in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd at Le Mans in '66, the GT40 won in '67, '68, & '69.
I stand corrected; ...( 8 months ago by the5thdominion)
I stand corrected; my mistake. I should've said it won a string of titles once. You're right. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that.
I didn't state what I did to discredit the GT40 either - it was indeed an epic machine.
I should clarify - ...( 8 months ago by the5thdominion)
I should clarify - the GT40 won Le Mans in those years - they lost the world championship in the top prototype class in '67 when Ferrari debuted the 330 P4, having overthrown the prancing horse both at the 24 hours and the world championship in '66.
My first comment (" ...( 8 months ago by the5thdominion)
My first comment ("I stand corrected") was written in a state of confusion - I thought you were referring to Le Mans wins and I had forgotten the context of my comment. Of course they won Le Mans in those years. My point was regarding the world championship for prototypes in the premier class, not Le Mans. Le Mans is not the same as the world title, of course.
Actually, The GT's ...( 8 months ago by rwmatfl)
Actually, The GT's that were part of the English team were sent to Shelby with orders to turn it into a winner. Shelby had 8 weeks to do the job and the Fords won at Daytona
for their first win of the '66 season. The GT 40 was a hell of a car and still has a place in the hearts of those of us who were around at that great time of motor racing history.
I've read somewhere ...( 7 months ago by McLarenMercedes)
I've read somewhere the GT40 was built on a Lola chassis which Eric Broadley had started working on but had no money or resources to finish. Enter a group of english and american engineers and finally in 1966 the car was a winner. Ferrari was never a winner at Le Mans again. So much for the greatness of Ferrari. Chris Amon drove the winning car with Bruce McLaren. All Kiwi driver line up.
great comments from ...( 7 months ago by marvinbenz)
great comments from everyone we need to post enlightening and positive comments like these more often
What on earth is ...( 5 months ago by Layne205)
What on earth is the spare tire for (shown at 3:42)? Does the driver have to change it if he has a flat? Does he carry a jack?
Whew! It's been a ...( 4 months ago by BisonBooger)
Whew! It's been a long, long time since I last saw these. Regulations required this category to carry a spare AND have room for a suitcase (can't remember dimensions).
Speaking of the a ...( 4 months ago by dunkdrag)
Speaking of the a spare. The space for the spare wheel in the front of the GT40 was too small to carry a full size spare so they had smaller one that was of no use at all but did fit. They changed the regulations so that a team had to use the spare at some point in the race to make teams carry a full size spare. Even after this the GT40 Gulf team didn't have a full size wheel. When they pitted they just bounced the wheels around to confuse the officials into thinking they fitted the spare!
Hell yeah! Thanks ...( 4 months ago by MGBguy72)
Hell yeah! Thanks for posting this! The Ford GT 40! Ken Miles...Llyod (sp?) Ruby! My era!
it was sort of ...( 4 months ago by iainthornton)
it was sort of vaguely based on the Lola T70 originally
but then it was highly modified by Shelby American to become the GT40 we see here
What on earth is ...( 3 months ago by Avatarblackwolf)
What on earth is the spare tire for
BECUSE LA MANS IS OVER 8 MILES LONG...THINK YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE 8 MILES ON A FLAT?
was this the year ...( 3 months ago by lecheparavaka)
was this the year when Pedro Rodriguez won for ford???
I went to Le Mans ...( 3 months ago by rev426)
I went to Le Mans in 1981/2 not sure which. Alan Lake (Diana Dors's husband) camped next to us. He rocked up with a GT40, a Wendy house and a crate of beer. What a guy and what a weekend. It was such good fun. I always wanted a GT40 after that. Still do. Still trying. Maybe one day!
the GT40 was so low ...( 3 months ago by crazyphysco10)
the GT40 was so low they had to cut a bubble for one of the drivers head to fit(dont remember guys name)
Dan Gurney, I ...( 3 months ago by trickyhors)
Dan Gurney, I believe.
Yes, it was Dan ...( 2 months ago by fox1612)
Yes, it was Dan Gurney. Since it has been called the Gurney bubble. The 40 in the name is due to the car being 40 inches from the ground to the top of the car.
Plossible cuz it's ...( 2 months ago by ecchibanzaii)
Plossible cuz it's really a known thing in the GT40, they f*cking own every car back in days.
Dunno wich of the one I like the most
GT40 or the Ford GT
I do like the car ...( 2 weeks ago by ckthecerealkiller)
I do like the car but I still prefer the winner(s) of the 65 le mans GT series. Look it up, it's where the heart of the famous GT40 is from. A big reason it is so famous. The GT40 was designed and built in Dearborn MI. BUT the original unibody design came from the Lola. The 427 motor the MK II ran was what caused a ban of all motors larger than 5.0L at the 1968 lemans. Oh and the prior car I mentioned also had to do with the height of Dan Gurney. Just Google CSX2299..... Good vid, Good car.
for their first win of the '66 season. The GT 40 was a hell of a car and still has a place in the hearts of those of us who were around at that great time of motor racing history.
BECUSE LA MANS IS OVER 8 MILES LONG...THINK YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE 8 MILES ON A FLAT?