RE: PH Heroes: Ford GT40

RE: PH Heroes: Ford GT40

Wednesday 14th May 2008

PH Heroes: Ford GT40

Fast, beautiful and timeless. The GT40 has it all, writes Ollie Stallwood...


GT40 race car in '66 Le Mans colours
GT40 race car in '66 Le Mans colours
In a way it was a good job that the ‘friendly bombs’ John Betjeman spoke of in 1937 didn’t actually fall on Slough. It might not be the nicest place in the world, and I’ve been many times, but if this industrial town in the South East of England had been wiped off the map, like he hoped in his poem ‘Slough’, then the Ford GT40 might never have existed. After all it was in Slough that Ford Advanced Vehicles was based during the early sixties with the purpose of creating a racing cars to beat those built by a company situated in a sunny town in Northern Italy known as Maranello.

We all know the rest: Ford got its revenge on Enzo Ferrari’s eleventh hour retreat from a deal that would have seen the Italian firm collaborate with the Americans. Henry Ford II had wanted Ferrari badly so when the deal went sour the Lola MK6 became the basis of the GT40, and on Sunday, June 19, 1966, a trio of Ford GT Mark II endurance racers crossed a rain-soaked finish line at the famous La Sarthe circuit in Le Mans to take a 1-2-3 finish.

'66 Le Mans win started 4-year domination
'66 Le Mans win started 4-year domination
But what happened after that was equally as impressive. The GT40 went on to be one of those cars that would transcend style and fashion, remaining a popular bedroom pin-up for car enthusiasts ever since. It’s difficult to get tired of that shape and it still looks so good today that Ford gave up trying to dream up a futuristic replacement and instead created the GT, a modern copy of the sixties legend.

Unfortunately getting hold of the keys to an original GT40 can be a little tricky these days (even with the offer of a free PH t-shirt and sticker), but we did manage to get a drive in the next best thing, a GT40 Continuation. These cars are recreations of originals, rather than replicas, so I’m told, and as such more than 90% of the parts are interchangeable with the original cars, including the entire monocoque chassis itself. Even the chassis numbering continues from those of the original sixties production run and the company that makes them has the rights to the GT40 name. Those who have driven both originals and continuations say the experience is as close as you can get.

GT40 Continuation
GT40 Continuation
The car I am going to drive is a replica of the Ickx/Oliver car No 6, from the 1969 Le Mans and is in Gulf Colours. It will reach 60mph in 3.7 seconds and is good for 207mph; as fast as a new Ford GT. When I arrive at Turners Hill, Crawley Down, to meet official UK importer Nigel Hulme, I am surprised by how small the car is. I’ve seen plenty of GT40s before but perhaps it is the more bloated appearance of the modern GT that makes this car seem small. It looks absolutely fantastic of course, the shape of the GT40 managing to be beautiful and aggressive at the same time, your eye unable to find imperfections on the perfectly proportioned shape.

It looks scary too. The only driver aids on this will be the ones attached to the ends of my arms and legs. Climbing inside it is important to make sure your head is not sliced off as the doors curve in to almost the middle of the car. You sit low, the pedals are incredibly close together and there is that slight sense of claustrophobia that you only get from sitting in an old racer. Switches are everywhere and strangely there is no gear-lever. Well, not in the middle anyway – the stick is on the right and has a dog-leg first at that, just in case you were getting any ideas that this was going to be easy.

Period high-profile tyres
Period high-profile tyres
Firing up the GT40 makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up; you may not have noticed that the 5.6-litre Ford V8  was pressed up a few inches from your back, but you do now. Vibrations tingle through the seats and it is so loud you feel like you are actually huddled inside the engine bay. Fumble around with the gearlever and use the masses of torque to give you a clean start and you’re away. The sense of occasion is enough to intimidate you into thinking this is a hard car to drive, but the truth is it’s not impossible.

The un-assisted steering is heavy but has the sort of feel that reminds you the wheel is actually connected to the rubber at the front. The gearchange takes a bit of getting used to and making clean changes will take practice but in truth it adds to the rawness of the car, not giving you a second to relax into any kind of comfort zone. You are concentrating all the time, at junctions, roundabouts, heck, even when you are going in a straight line. The clutch is race spec for this car and requires strong thigh muscles, although it could be worse.

Loud in every sense...
Loud in every sense...
The time comes to open up the GT40 and when I do it is as if I have opened the gates of hell and Beelzebub himself is screaming at me from behind my left shoulder. The acceleration is immense, the grunt coming from hardly any revs, and the power delivery is linear and unrelenting. You poke the throttle and the car reacts instantly, nose rising slightly as you are pinned into the seat. I can’t think of any other car that feels this fast. Every single sense is being assaulted. Your ears are being tortured by the sound, your eyes struggle to compute the change of speed, your hands grip the wheel, and you can smell, even taste, the fuel mix within the cabin.


It handles well too, staying flat through the bends. In fact the speed that can be carried through a bend is mind-boggling. Body control is brilliant and you know exactly how the chassis is going to react. The well-judged set-up gives you confidence you didn’t think know you had. In short, the sensation is fantastic – every input is rewarded and you come away feeling that you have learnt something, and there is so much more to learn. It is a raw driving experience that makes you feel like an integral part of the machine. They just don’t make cars like this anymore. Oh hang on…

 

Author
Discussion

Ravell

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

211 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
I must have one at some point. The GT40 is SUCH an icon and just eading about the driving experiance makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!

Orangecurry

7,399 posts

205 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Ravell said:
I must have one at some point. The GT40 is SUCH an icon and just eading about the driving experiance makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!
exactly!
ETA - bugger - they are 85k plus VAT. I'd best start saving... erm... twenty years ago hehe

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 14th May 10:55

sniff petrol

13,107 posts

211 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Remember seeing that bottom one in the paddock at Oulton Park at the Ginetta G20 weekend (with GT's and F3 supporting them)

To me it was far more appealing than the white Veyron parked only a few yards away.

waynepixel

3,972 posts

223 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
What a car, fantastic design which was way ahead of it's time, and a true design classic. It also great to see a company producing a copy of the original car which I would love to own over the modern day Ford interpretation of the Ford GT.

gemini

11,352 posts

263 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
I went round to my neighbours private garages yesterday to have a look at whats in there

Great stuff tucked away.

One of the collection is a Gulf blue GT40 rep

rather nice lick

Big Rumbly

973 posts

283 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
It's been my favourite car since I was a lad, I was very fortunate many years ago to be taken for a drive in a friends uncles one, registration GT40. I will cherish that ride forever, for the older amongst you, this car was featured in a Woolwich building society advert, does any one remember it, must have been early 80's.

Ren-Raku

604 posts

193 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Indeed a worthy winner. Though I understand it's a handful to drive (:

Ravell

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

211 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Orangecurry said:
Ravell said:
I must have one at some point. The GT40 is SUCH an icon and just eading about the driving experiance makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!
exactly!
ETA - bugger - they are 85k plus VAT. I'd best start saving... erm... twenty years ago hehe

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 14th May 10:55
For a fully built continuation GT40? Bargain concidering a new Ford GT is nearer £100K mark! I'll still need to save for a long time though!

minisloth

365 posts

194 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Love these. I've a friend whose building a replica. Hes been doing it for some years now, but I cant wait to see it finished.

Orangecurry

7,399 posts

205 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Ravell said:
Orangecurry said:
Ravell said:
I must have one at some point. The GT40 is SUCH an icon and just eading about the driving experiance makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!
exactly!
ETA - bugger - they are 85k plus VAT. I'd best start saving... erm... twenty years ago hehe

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 14th May 10:55
For a fully built continuation GT40? Bargain concidering a new Ford GT is nearer £100K mark! I'll still need to save for a long time though!
http://www.gt40continuation.co.uk/

MrTappets

881 posts

190 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
cloud9 oh please, please, please, please...

NiallOswald

326 posts

205 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all

Pure filth, I tell ye!wink

Great write-up - out of interest, how come the gear lever is on the right? Easier linkage, or is it considered better for driving?

J111

3,354 posts

214 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
$69k for the 'kit' becomes $200k by the time it's arrived on your drive ? scratchchin

Ravell said:
I must have one at some point.
yes

The GT40 replica I'd like doesn't exist, sadly. RCR's aluminium semi-monocoque with Mk. 3 bodywork, please:


Felix7

464 posts

259 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
NiallOswald said:
Great write-up - out of interest, how come the gear lever is on the right? Easier linkage, or is it considered better for driving?
Most mid engined cars in the 60's including the Lola's were right hand gear change (rod linkage) not cable, given that the engine is right behind you. Its a dog leg first and a very postive change up and down.

markh1

2,845 posts

208 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
This and the Cobra are the only replicas that are worth having IMO

I would vote the GT40 as being the best car of all time, or is that a little far fetched??

ady_GTi

325 posts

209 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Went to a chaps garage in america and he had just bought one of the few remaining Lola MK6s that are left to restore it.





(Excuse the phone pictures)

The plan was to take it for goodwood once its finished, but i have no idea where its at now (pics were taken ~3 months ago)

williamssam

733 posts

219 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
My favourite car of all time, would love the chance to drive one. Only time i've seen one was at MPH, i was surprised by how small they are, especially compared to the new GT.

hairykrishna

13,158 posts

202 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
I will own one one day even if I end up having to sleep in it.

ALfooy

331 posts

194 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
gorgeous, just gorgeousspermbowdriving

MitchT

15,788 posts

208 months

Wednesday 14th May 2008
quotequote all
Felix7 said:
NiallOswald said:
Great write-up - out of interest, how come the gear lever is on the right? Easier linkage, or is it considered better for driving?
Most mid engined cars in the 60's including the Lola's were right hand gear change (rod linkage) not cable, given that the engine is right behind you. Its a dog leg first and a very postive change up and down.
I've always wondered why many racing cars have the gear change on the right - F1 cars did when they were fully manual. Surely most people are right-handed, so it would make sense to have their stronger arm connected to the steering wheel 100% of the time.

I do love 'boxes with a dog-leg first though. I can't understand why all proper drivers' cars don't have this - It's perfect for hammering forwards and backwards between 2nd and 3rd when you're blasting a long country lanes... Another reason why the older 'modern' Ferraris appeal to me.