After the refusal by Enzo Ferrari to sell his company, Henry Ford decided to build his own racing car. The main goal was to win the most famous endurance race : the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Due to the lack of a proper development facility in America H. Ford sent the experienced engineer Roy Lunn along with Ray Geddes and Carol Shelby to England to scout for a place to develop their project. After trying a partnership with Colin Chapman's Lotus they finally sign with Eric Broadley's Lola Company. John Wyer, winner as team manager of the 1959 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin and Carol Shelby, joined the team.
The base of the GT40 was the Lola GT which raced in the 1963 season. The parenthood between the first Ford GT ( Chassis 101) and the Lola is obvious when looking at the pictures of the two cars. The appellation GT40 appears only with the "Production" series. The first 12 "prototypes" ( Chassis # 101 to 112) were officially named Ford GT.
The number 40 refer to the height of the car : 40 Inches. The last 5 prototypes ( GT108 to 112) were open bodied roadsters.
The models:
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| Lola GT - Le Mans 1963 - (Kit PROVENCE MOULAGE) |
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| The same |
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| Ford GT - Chassis GT101 - Presentation April 1st 1964 - (BIZARRE) |
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| The same |
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| The Lola GT at Le Mans in 1963 |
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| The Lola GT at Le Mans in 1963 |
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| The Lola GT racing at Le Mans in 1963 |
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| The Lola GT racing at Le Mans in 1963 |
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