Ford GT

[FoMoJo]

Um, Cougs is right. Ford isn't gonna race a stock GT. Even if they use the same size engine w/ turbos, there will most likely be many many changes done to it.

But he was wrong is saying that the GT40 was never homologated.  The MkI was, essentially, a production version with some being race prepped whereas the Mk II was strictly race.  He was also wrong in saying that the motor of the Ford GT was "a bit weak". 

As for a race version of the new GT, of course it must adher to the race commission rules...which would make it a bit uncomfortable to drive on the street.  However, I suspect the platform is quite amenable to these requirements.

[SVT666]

[FoMoJo]

Gt40 mkIII was the road going version.  Only sold in Europe in very small numbers.

The GT40 could be divided into 5 generations: GT40 (1964), Mk1 (1965), Mk2 (1965), Mk3 (1966) and Mk4 (1967). The original car was powered by Ford's 350hp 4.2-liter V8 coming from Lotus 29 Indy car. It was quite advanced, with all-alloy construction and dry sump, but it was fragile in endurance racing. Ditto the Colotti 4-speed transaxle it mated with. Therefore the combination was soon replaced by the Shelby-tuned Ford 4.7-liter (289 cu) V8 and 5-speed ZF transaxle. This became the Mk1. The Mk1 was a production car and usually referred to GT40P – where "P" stands for Production. Some 87 units were built for homologation. Among them 31 were road cars and 56 were race cars. The road cars got better trimmed cabin, softer suspensions, heavier flywheel, larger exhaust silencer and an engine detuned to 335hp at 6250 rpm. It was capable of 164 mph and 0-60 mph in a tested 5.3 seconds, faster than any Ferrari road cars of the time. The race car produced 380hp and good for 185 mph.

The Mk III was, also, a street version, but not exactly produced by Ford.  Only 7 were built apparently.

[Payman]

So...

NSX/R8 money... $150,000

458/Huracan money... $250,000

Aventador money... $350,000

?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Last Ford GT had an (artificially low, based on market demand) msrp of 125,000 IIRC. Though they were regularly being bought and resold for ten's of thousands more due to demand.

I wouldn't be surprised to see mid 100's(150-160K) for a msrp, though it will probably play out the same way it did before. Low production, high demand, dealers "threatened" not to overcharge resulting in a huge increase in used car values.

[Raza]

Looks pretty fucking sweet from here.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Looks pretty fucking sweet from here.

Try standing over here, looks way better.

[GoCougs]

Gt40 mkIII was the road going version.  Only sold in Europe in very small numbers.

And why was it only sold in Europe?

[AutobahnSHO]

why don't they just make more of them?!?!?!?!!!!!!   

[FoMoJo]

why don't they just make more of them?!?!?!?!!!!!!   

Likely lose money on them.

[GoCougs]

Meh, not a fan of the styling. Too super car generic with all those angles and creases.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

And why was it only sold in Europe?

Europeans generally know a good car when they see it, they have much better taste in sports cars.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Meh, not a fan of the styling. Too super car generic with all those angles and creases.

[FoMoJo]

Meh, not a fan of the styling. Too super car generic with all those angles and creases.

The air management contours?

[SVT666]

It looks anything but generic.

[MX793]

And why was it only sold in Europe?

The original GT40 was developed and built by Ford Europe.  They (Ford) built literally only a handful of MkIIIs, in part due to lack of interest.  Another company apparently modified MkIs to be road legal and so people looking for a road-going GT40 bought those instead.  The fact that the MkIII looked considerably different from any other GT40 probably didn't help (though it was a good-looking car).

[GoCougs]

Previous GT looked 1000x times better.

[MX793]

I'm a bit disappointed they didn't use the flat plane.  However, considering that F1 uses V6 engines with Turbos, it fits the current era.  It'll be interesting to see what the Le Mans version has.

As others have mentioned, likely at least in part explained by racing rules, as Ford does intend to field this car in GT class racing.  Additionally, Ford has done a lot of durability testing on the 3.5EB.  Back in 2010, prior to releasing the motor for public consumption, Ford fitted one of their pre-pro motors which had already had 10 equivalent years of use through testing into a Baja race truck and completed the Baja 1000 with it.

[Payman]

Previous GT looked 1000x times better.

Timeless design for sure, but I'm glad they didn't do retro this time. This new GT looks like nothing else, and I think they even one-upped the Aventador in exotic car styling. I'm blown away by this new GT.

[hotrodalex]

Previous GT looked 1000x times better.

I have to agree - it's not that this one doesn't look cool, but the previous one was perfect.

Timeless design for sure, but I'm glad they didn't do retro this time. This new GT looks like nothing else, and I think they even one-upped the Aventador in exotic car styling. I'm blown away by this new GT.

Agreed about not doing retro - you do have to move on at some point.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The wheels sure look tossed on there though, very blah.

Whoever was in charged of that should be flipping burgers.

[Payman]

The wheels sure look tossed on there though, very blah.

Whoever was in charged of that should be flipping burgers.

What's wrong with them? Simple design that evokes lightness.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

They looked horrible in the video, the press shots look much better but my first impression(from the video, posted before any stills) was that they just didn't look good. Certainly not for what is sure to be(yet again) the best american supercar.

[r0tor]

Um, Cougs is right. Ford isn't gonna race a stock GT. Even if they use the same size engine w/ turbos, there will most likely be many many changes done to it.

LM GTE requires 100 road cars to be built to homologate it for FIA competition.  Yes there will be small changes for the full blown track car like there are for all homologation cars.  The FIA tries to keep changes very small - hence the track and street cars have the same basic engine (BMW won an exemption) and serious race effort will shrink the chassis around the race engine and hence your not getting the chance of a V8 in the street car.  Its likely the race and street car will share the carbon monocot and aluminum subframes and 90% of the bodywork.

LM GTE has a 4.0L turbo displacement and Ford is already running a 3.5L ecoboost engine in endurance racing (claim 70% stock engine parts).   A 5.5L na engine is allowed (8L if your a viper).  The turbo option is probably the best for the series though in terms of power/torque/packaging.

[r0tor]

I shoukd note the C7.R runs the same class with shit tons of concessions (engine since the stock is too large, carbon monocell, ect).  Porsche and Ferrari run cars much closer to real streetcars.  The GT being a supercar to begin with will be forced to run a close to stock car.

[12,000 RPM]

Previous GT looked 1000x times better.

weren't u just blasting the last group for being too retto

What do you want

I think is OK. C pillar reminds me of an old Escort EXP. twin turbo v6 in a blank sheet super car is blah,  I don't care what series its racing in

[hotrodalex]

The exhaust is my favorite part of the car.

[hotrodalex]

The exhaust is my favorite part of the car.

Interior is my least favorite...

[280Z Turbo]

GIFSoup

[12,000 RPM]