The Ford GT: The Most Iconic American Supercar

The Ford GT is an iconic American supercar that has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world. With its sleek design, powerful engine, and rich racing heritage, the Ford GT has become a symbol of automotive excellence. In this blog post, we will explore the history of the Ford GT, how it was built, and why it is such an important car in the world of automobiles.

The Birth of the Ford GT: The Ford GT was born in the 1960s as a response to the dominance of Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Ford wanted to create a car that could beat Ferrari on the track and showcase the company's engineering prowess. The result was the Ford GT40, a mid-engine race car that would go on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years in a row from 1966 to 1969.

In the world of motorsports, the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 is a legendary tale. It all started when Henry Ford II, the CEO of Ford Motor Company, attempted to acquire Ferrari in 1963. However, the deal fell through at the last minute due to a disagreement over control of the Ferrari racing team.
Determined to get his revenge, Henry Ford II decided to build a sports car that would beat Ferrari where it mattered most to them – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford turned to the legendary car designer Carroll Shelby, who was tasked with running the race operations.

After losing to Ferrari in 1964 and 1965, the Ford team finally achieved their goal in 1966. That year, Ford Motor Company was determined to beat Ferrari at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race, as a way to showcase their engineering prowess and establish themselves as a dominant force in the world of motorsports. They invested heavily in their GT40 program and managed to secure the top three spots on the starting grid.

During the race, the Ford GT40 Mk II driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon was neck-and-neck with the sister car driven by Ken Miles and Denny Hulme. As the race neared its end, it became clear that the two Fords would cross the finish line side by side, with McLaren and Amon leading by a mere few meters.

However, Ford's PR team saw an opportunity for a photo finish that would showcase both cars crossing the line at the same time, symbolizing the company's dominance in the race. So, they instructed the race officials to orchestrate a staged finish, with the cars slowing down to allow for a photo opportunity.

Ken Miles, who was leading the race at the time, agreed to slow down and let the other car catch up, believing that he would still be declared the winner due to having completed more laps in a shorter time. However, the race officials decided to award the win to McLaren and Amon, based on a technicality that gave them a slightly longer distance on the track.

This decision caused a major controversy, as many felt that Miles had been robbed of his rightful victory. The staged finish and the subsequent controversy tarnished Ford's triumph at Le Mans and left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans and drivers.

The 1966 Le Mans race remains a topic of debate and discussion to this day, with many people still questioning the decision to manipulate the finish for a photo opportunity. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of prioritizing publicity over the integrity of the sport.
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The first generation of the Ford GT, known as the GT40, was a race car designed specifically for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The GT40 was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine and featured a lightweight aluminum chassis and fiberglass body. The car was a huge success on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row.

​After the success of the GT40, Ford decided to create a road-going version of the car, the Ford GT. The second-generation Ford GT was introduced in 2005 as a tribute to the original GT40. The car featured a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine and a retro-inspired design that paid homage to the original GT40.

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​In 2016, Ford introduced the third generation of the Ford GT, a modern supercar designed to compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. The third-generation Ford GT was powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and featured an advanced carbon fiber chassis and active aerodynamics. The car was a huge success on the track, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016, exactly 50 years after the original GT40's first victory.

The Ford GT is one of the most important cars in car culture for several reasons. First, it represents a significant chapter in the history of American car manufacturing, showcasing the country's ability to produce world-class supercars. Second, the Ford GT has a rich racing heritage, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times and cementing Ford's reputation as a racing powerhouse. Finally, the Ford GT is a symbol of innovation and engineering excellence, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of performance and design.

This is why the Ford GT is an iconic American supercar that has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world. From its humble beginnings as a race car designed to beat Ferrari to its modern incarnation as a world-class supercar, the Ford GT has always represented the best of American car manufacturing. Its rich racing heritage, innovative design, and impressive performance make it an important car in the history of automobiles.