It’s no secret that Ford^® is among the best automakers, producing classics that are worthy of a spot in a vintage car show. One of these is the Grand Touring (GT), Ford’s first foray into high-speed, long-distance driving in the 1960s. Fast forward to 50 years later, and the American supercar is back on the streets and speedway. 

How Did It All Begin?

The Ford GT was something born out of a grudge. Henry Ford wanted to have a Ford at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—the famous endurance race held annually in France. When he got word that Enzo Ferrari was interested in selling, he spent millions to get negotiations underway, only to be cut off at the last minute because of autonomy disputes. Empty-handed but full of spite, Ford instructed his company’s racing division to build a car that would beat Ferrari at the Le Mans. Thus, a motorsports legend—and frequent car show jewel—was born.

What Made It a Success on the Speedway?

Since the Ford GT was unplanned, its development was thrown together, with Roy Lunn heading the team. Called the GT40 for its 40-inch height, it was a mid-engine, high-performance sportscar prototype.

Ford worked with Lola, a Le Mans racer whose Mk6 never made it to the finish line. Despite the dismal performance, the Mk6 used a Ford V-8 engine fitted in an aluminum body—the right configuration for the GT40 prototype. Two Lola Mk6 chassis were later delivered to Ford’s headquarters in England to begin work. The first finished car, dubbed as GT 101, had a steel body and was unveiled in a New York car show in April 1964.  

Its first competitive races in 1964 all had bleak results. After the Nassau race, John Wyer subsequently handed the reins over to Carroll Shelby, an American ex-racer. Shelby and his team went on to win the Daytona 2000 in 1965 when they changed the engine to a 7.0-liter, 427-cubic-inch V-8. While results for the rest of the season remained dismal, the following year was better. Ford snatched a sensational 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans and went on to win until 1969, making the Ford GT a household name.

Take a gander at the classic Ford GTs at the biannual Charlotte AutoFair, the premier vintage auto show in Mecklenburg County, NC. Running for more than 30 years, the three-day fair has showcased some of the finest antique and collector cars, drawing enthusiasts and sellers from all over the country. Visit their website to view the event schedule, or call (704) 841-1990 to speak with a car show representative today.