This is the most expensive Ford GT40 ever sold – despite its calamitous history
A Ford GT40 MkII which managed 12 laps at the famous 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours has become been auctioned for a record amount
Ford will celebrate its heritage with retro liveries as it prepares for Ford GT swansong at Le Mans 24 Hours
The quartet of factory Ford GTs at the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours will sport liveries celebrating the manufacturer’s victories at La Sarthe in the 1960s and 2016.
The black Ford GT40 of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, who won the 1966 race, is reflected in the livery of the no66 Ford GT while the no67 of Andy Priaulx, Harry Tincknell and Jonathan Bomarito will sport the red and white of Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt’s 1967-winning machine.
The no69 car has a Gulf-esque paintscheme to pay tribute to Ford’s 1-2-3 at the 1966 race, and the no68 car of Dirk Müller, Joey Hand and Sébastien Bourdais sports the same colours as the 2016 Le Mans-winning car.
“In 2016, Ford returned to Le Mans to mark the 50th anniversary of our incredible 1966 win and we celebrated in the best way possible by winning the race,” said Ford executive chairman Bill Ford.
“To stand on that podium on behalf of the employees was a proud moment for me and I look forward returning to Le Mans this year to support the team as we approach our final race in this chapter.”
Archive: Ford GT40: built to humble Ferrari at Le Mans
Privateer team Keating Motorsports will run a car in pink for its title sponsor, Wynn’s, in the GTE AM class.
Ford is pulling out of the WEC at the end of this ‘superseason’ having campaigned its GTs in the championship since 2016. Privateer teams may still field Ford GTs next season, however.”
“The Ford GT was created to take Ford back to the world of GT endurance racing,” said Ford Motorsports director Mark Rushbrook.
“This factory Ford GT programme has been a great success for our brand and we have enjoyed the many challenges that have come our way during this four-year programme.
“Le Mans is not quite the end of the factory programme as we still have many more IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races to go in 2019.”
A Ford GT40 MkII which managed 12 laps at the famous 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours has become been auctioned for a record amount
Two of racing's biggest rivals are on collision course once more, with the Ford v Ferrari battle for overall Le Mans victory due to resume in 2027 after six decades — and Ford is already talking up the fight
Ford will develop a new top-tier sports car to compete for overall victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship Hypercar class from 2027 onwards, aiming to continue where its GT40 left off in the 1960s
Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson warned that winning was essential for its Hypercar project earlier this year. After an uncompetitive run in the Le Mans 24 Hours, she says that the fight goes on, with the team confident that it will catch its rivals