Ford GT40 is back on track

A legend returns to breathe new excitement into the Ford brand, writes ALASTAIR SLOANE.

It was the news car enthusiasts have been waiting for: Ford will put into production the GT40 it unveiled at the last month's Detroit motor show.

The car will be one of the birthday presents Ford will present to itself when it celebrates 100 years of car production next year.

Chairman Bill Ford said the modern version of the historic, two-door supercar, will help breathe new excitement into the brand and support Ford's promise of 20 new or freshened products each year.

"Our revitalisation plan is centered on products," said Ford. "The company that builds and delivers the best cars and trucks wins, and we're going to win.

"I can't think of a better symbol of that winning attitude than GT40."

The retro model was inspired by arguably one of the most recognised and loved cars in automotive history.

"This is a re-issue of the GT40," said Ford design chief J Mays. "It's a celebration of Ford.

"While we continue to move forward, we never forget to look back over our shoulder."

The original GT40 was conceived after a fallout between Ford and Ferrari. It was unveiled in 1964 and went on to win four straight victories at Le Mans between 1966 and 1969. About 100 were built, each one capable in race form of about 325 km/h (200 mph).

The new GT40, created by Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is more than 45cm (18in) longer and nearly 10cm (4in) taller than the original.

"Yet, despite being physically larger, it is unmistakably a GT40, an automotive statement of passion, speed and performance," said Mays.

The modern GT40 stays true to the original, right down to the 1146 chassis number. The last of the 1960s legends to come off the production line bore the chassis number 1145.

However, the new chassis is a thoroughly modern interpretation. The original's composite steel tubs have been replaced by an aluminium space frame that uses independent suspension front and rear.

The GT40 looks similar to the original with the long front overhang and overall shape. But there are no common parts or dimensions. The front-to-rear stripes and the doors that cut into the roof are the most powerful design cues from the past.

Mays said the original Mark I GT40 was the inspiration for the 2002 model, but that it is "essentially a Mark VI."

The original name came from the car's height of 40 inches (102cm). There was so much respect for the track legend among the design team that Ford even considered renaming the 2002 model the GT44.

The show car was engineered for production from the start. It was powered by a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine producing 370kW and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The engine, with its 1960s chrome fittings, produced such an exhaust roar that media at the car's unveiling in Detroit were supplied with ear plugs.

The engine is mounted behind driver and passenger and the pumped-up mudguards house 18-inch wheels in the front and 19-inch at the back.

Ford says it is still working on production numbers. The car's price has been put by analysts in America at $US150,000 ($365,000).