Introduction
The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II was an iconic race car produced by Ford and designed by John Wyer’s race team. It was the first car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race three times in a row. The Mk II was built with a lightweight chassis and a powerful engine that was capable of reaching speeds of up to 215 mph. It had a top-mounted air intake and a low center of gravity that made it more aerodynamic and agile on the track.
History
Development
The Mk II was developed in response to the Ford GT40’s failure to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race from 1964 to 1965. Ford wanted to create a car that was powerful enough to beat Ferrari, the reigning champion at the race. The Mk II was an upgraded version of the GT40, which featured an improved aerodynamic design and a more powerful engine.
Design Features
The Mk II had a lightweight aluminum chassis and a powerful 7-liter Ford V8 engine that produced over 400 horsepower. It also had a top-mounted air intake, a low center of gravity, and a wide stance that made it more aerodynamic and agile on the track. The car was equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and had a top speed of 215 mph.
Racing Success
The Mk II made its racing debut in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it dominated the competition and took the overall victory. The Mk II went on to win the race again in 1967 and 1968, making it the first car to win the race three times in a row. The car also won the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1966 and the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967.
Legacy
The Ford GT40 Mk II is one of the most iconic race cars ever produced. It was a symbol of Ford’s engineering prowess and its success on the track cemented its place in racing history. The car is still highly sought after by collectors and its legacy continues to live on today.
Variants
The Ford GT40 Mk II was available in several different variants, including the Mk I, Mk IIA, Mk IIB, and the Mk III. The Mk I was the original version of the car and was used in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The Mk IIA and Mk IIB were upgraded versions of the car that featured improved engines and aerodynamics. The Mk III was a completely redesigned version of the car that was never raced.
Replicas
The Ford GT40 Mk II is highly sought after by collectors, so replicas have been made over the years. Replicas are usually made using fiberglass and other composite materials, though some companies offer aluminum-bodied replicas that are more accurate to the original design.
Price
Original Ford GT40 Mk IIs are rare and highly sought after, so they typically sell for millions of dollars. Replicas can be purchased for much less, though they are still quite expensive and typically cost around $100,000.
Conclusion
The Ford GT40 Mk II is an iconic race car that is still highly sought after today. It was the first car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race three times in a row and its legacy continues to live on. Original examples are extremely rare and expensive, though replicas can be purchased for much less.
