If there’s one car that belongs in the motoring hall of fame, perhaps above all others, then MotorMartin would be more than happy to nominate the amazing Ford GT40. So named as it stood 40 inches tall, or thereabouts. Surely the Ford can lay claim to having one of the most recognisable silhouettes in racing if not motoring as a whole. As most dedicated race fans know, Carroll Shelby took over the Ford racing program in 1965 and in its running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year when the GT40 Mk II finished first, second and third, beating out the previously dominant Ferrari sports cars. This victory began a four-year winning streak for the Ford GT40s at Circuit de la Sarthe, taking the checkered flag from 1966 to 1969. Never a manufacturer to rest on its laurels, Ford ensured victory by developing three different iterations of the GT40, which then won over those four years – the Mk II in 1966, Mk IV in 1967 and Mk I in 1968 and 1969.
Unfortunately for MotorMartin, the value of original examples of Ford’s legendary GT40 have long since exceeded the pockets of the general enthusiast – one of the four ex-Works Gulf cars sold for $11 million in 2012. However, MotorMartin has now been made aware that finally, help is at hand thanks to Le Mans Coupes Ltd, the sole UK agent for the stunning Superformance evocations. So accurate as to be 70 percent interchangeable with originals, they are available for an eminently more affordable £99,800 plus VAT, and come complete with P/2000 Series chassis numbers recognised by the Shelby American World Registry. £99,800, more affordable…
Painstakingly hand-built by Hi-Tech Automotive in ultra-modern 270,000 sq ft premises in South Africa, they are offered as per the original Ford MKI and MKII cars and in righthand or lefthand drive form. There is also a choice of engines from 5.6 to 7.0 litres (ie 430 to 560bhp), sill-mounted or centrally-placed gearchange, and ZF RBT or Quaife RFQ transaxle. Depending on engine selection, the Superformance GT40 can hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of over 205mph. Crikey.
Le Mans Coupes’ Managing Director Nigel Hulme shared with MotorMartin: “Interest in the GT40 has been on the rise since the 50thanniversary of the model’s launch two years ago. Now the car’s countless worldwide enthusiasts are gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first of its four consecutive Le Mans victories. With Ford marking the occasion with a return to La Sarthe for the first time since 1969, courtesy of its all-new, fabulous GT.”
Before adding, “It’s small wonder then that UK sales of the Superformance cars are at an all-time high.”
An example of the Superformance GT40 will be displayed on Stand No.C138 at the London Classic Car Show, ExCeL, February 18-21 for those lucky enough to be going. Further details of Superformance GT40, plus Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX9000 Series, and Superformance Cobra MKIII are available at www.superformanceuk.com, by calling 01342 712774/07836 742725 or emailing info@superformance.com.