Autoblog

Ford GT designer takes his creation to artful zenith

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

Remember this chromed Buick Regal? At the time of publication, we said there were some cars that looked better in chrome than others, and this is what we had in mind.

A specialist aftermarket firm called GT Guy LLC solicited the talents of Camilo Pardo - the designer of the Ford GT - to create the one-of-a-kind supercar you see here. To create Merkury 4, the team started with a solid red Ford GT and gave it a Mirrachrome paint job with a black-bordered fluorescent orange stripe. Then they tweaked the supercharger to deliver a whopping 725 horsepower to the rear wheel. They painted the valve covers, smoothed out the clamshell intakes behind the doors, fitted ceramic-coated pipes, bolted on a fresh set of HRE wheels wearing Michelin rubber and more.

The result, as you can see from the photos in the gallery, is quite stunning - as if the stock Ford GT wasn't already a looker on its own.

Ford GT designer takes his creation to artful zenith originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goodwood Revival rounds out the classics with sports cars and prototypes [UPDATE]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

Cobras, Tigers and... Ferrari's? Oh my! If you happened to miss our post on the '60s touring cars that took to the track at the 2011 Goodwood Revival, you may not realize just how amazing vintage racing can be. And it gets even more interesting as the value and historic significance of the cars increases.

For proof, we suggest you check out the two videos after the break to see vintage prototypes like the Ford GT40, various Lolas and a smattering of McLarens take to the track. Then, to top it all off, we have the '60s sports car class, which includes such iconic masterpieces as the Shelby Cobra (in both hardtop and Daytona Coupe guises), Ferrari models that include the famous GTO and the so-called Breadvan (a short-wheelbase 250 GT), plus a slew of machinery from Maserati and Aston Martin.

Did we mention these priceless classics are racing well-to-wheel in the pouring rain? Enough already, click past the break to watch the slip-sliding action for yourself.

UPDATE: Sadly, the embedded videos are not playing, but we still hope you click on over to Axis of Oversteer to take in the historic racing action.

Continue reading Goodwood Revival rounds out the classics with sports cars and prototypes [UPDATE]

Goodwood Revival rounds out the classics with sports cars and prototypes [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1965 Ford GT40 Roadster crossing the block at Villa d'Este

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Europe, Ford, Racing

1965 Ford GT Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

A one-of-five 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster will be auctioned off at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, Italy on May 21. The car was built in 1965 as a prototype by Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations center in England, and is one of four surviving examples.

The Linden Green example crossing the block was raced by John Whitmore and Bob Bondurant in the 1965 Targa Florio, running as high as third before it was forced to quit after being damaged. The car, chassis GT/111 was lost after the Targa Florio, waiting to resurface until 2006.

The car was authenticated and restored in 2007, and has made vintage race appearances around the world, starting with the 2007 Goodwood Revival. Given the car's rarity, blue-chip name and Whitmore/Bondurant prestige, the GT Roadster will no doubt fetch some serious bank when it rolls across the block.

Gallery: 1965 Ford GT Roadster

[Source: Top Gear | Images: Top Gear]

1965 Ford GT40 Roadster crossing the block at Villa d'Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford's Kuzak hints that GT successor may be in the cards

Zach Bowman — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Rumormill

Ford GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Now here's a juicy rumor we can get excited about: According to the crew over at Automobile, Ford may be considering another shot at the legendary Ford GT. The news comes courtesy of Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of global product development. After being questioned about the possibility of a GT successor, Kuzak chose his words very carefully by admitting that there are certain things in the four-year product plan that the company isn't comfortable with discussing. While that's not an out-and-out confirmation that the Blue Oval wants to see another mid-engine, high-horsepower machine in its stable, the overly diplomatic response does indicate that the thought may have crossed more than a few minds in Dearborn.

Is this a thin thread to cling to? Absolutely, but the talking heads of the industry typically site pesky issues like a vehicle's high expense and looming CAFE standards as perfect reasons against building a new halo car. Considering that none of that rhetoric showed up this time around and the fact that we've heard rumors about a hybrid GT successor, it wouldn't seem to be too much of a stretch to think that we just might see a new version of the car in a few short years. Consider our fingers crossed.

Gallery: Ford GT

[Source: Automobile]

Report: Ford's Kuzak hints that GT successor may be in the cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ferrari 250 GTO and Ford GT40 (sorta) reunited in Malibu

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Ford, Ferrari

Ferrari and Ford retro supercars on The Smoking Tire - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Any racing fan nut, automotive enthusiast or classic car nut worth his driving mocs knows the story of the Ford GT40. In the early 1960s Ferrari was on a six-time winning streak at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That's when Henry Ford II initiated proceedings to take over the Maranello sportscar-maker and racing team.

As the story goes, though, the notoriously intractable Enzo Ferrari didn't like the terms and canceled the deal at the 11th hour. Ford was left holding his hat and out of spite commissioned the GT40 with the explicit aim of knocking his Italian counterpart off his high (prancing) horse. The result was that, with the GT40, Ford won Le Mans four times in a row.

Now the Ferrari 250 GTO wasn't one of the cars that won at Le Mans during Ferrari's six-year reign. It was busy winning other categories during the same period. But that's alright, because the car in the video after the jump isn't a real GTO anyway. It is a real Ferrari, though: a 365 GTB/4 Daytona rebodied to look like a GTO. And it's not facing off against a GT40 either - that's actually the modern tribute, the 2005 Ford GT.

Do either of those facts mitigate the sight of seeing these cars take to the mountain roads outside Malibu, California? Hardly. But don't take our word for it, follow the jump to watch the video for yourself and see Matt Farrah of The Smoking Tire take the joyride of his life.

[Source: The Smoking Tire via RideLust]

Continue reading Video: Ferrari 250 GTO and Ford GT40 (sorta) reunited in Malibu

Video: Ferrari 250 GTO and Ford GT40 (sorta) reunited in Malibu originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, First Drives, Specialty, Quick Spins

Superformance GT40 MkI - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we enjoy piloting modern machinery, there's something special about vintage vehicles, and that something is the pure, unvarnished connection between man and machine. But it's not always good. Things get dicey when the driving experience is a little too vintage. Despite our supreme adoration of the racing greats of yesteryear, clawing at the wheel, pulverizing the brake pedal, dumping buckets of sweat onto the leather seat and having our sphincter perform kegels isn't always our preferred flavor of fun. Some days, we're just not that hardcore. So the vintage vehicles we've come to love most aren't genuinely vintage at all - they're classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals. The Rizk RA is a prime example, and now there's this: the Superformance GT40 MkI, a car so raw that if it were edible, they'd slap "organic" on it and sell it at Whole Foods.

Gallery: Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 Mk1

Continue reading Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory

Drew Phillips — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Supercars, Shelby

Click above for high-res gallery of the Superformance MkII GT40

Perhaps the greatest achievement of Americans in motorsports is winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford and Shelby brought home not only the overall victory, but the Ford GT40 captured the top three spots. It was a resounding victory for an American team with an American car.

Those wanting to play the role of Ken Miles or Bruce McLaren have a cheaper alternative than purchasing one of the three original GT40s that made a photo finish at Le Mans. Superformance and Shelby Distribution USA have created a Shelby 85th Commemorative MkII GT40 celebrating Shelby's birthday and the 1966 victory that can be ordered in the same paint schemes as those top three GT40s. Lest you think this is a mere replicar, the Superformance GT40 is 90% interchangeable with the original race car. Both street and race versions are available, with power coming from a Shelby-branded Roush V8 crate motor. Only 85 of each color will be produced, and each will be included in the Shelby Registry. Follow the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Superformance GT40 MkII

[Source: Shelby Distribution USA]

Continue reading New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory

New trio of Superformance MkII GT40s celebrates Shelby and 1966 Le Mans victory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All we want for Christmas is a Ford GT

Dan Roth — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Ford, Toys/Games

The Ford GT has always been badass. When it went into production in 2003, all of those kit cars from back in the day suddenly paled in comparison to a genuine GT40-inspired supercar. It was a relative bargain, too. Of course, when we say relative bargain, we mean expensive. Always willing to settle, we've found a way to claim with a straight face that we own a GT. It's still not cheap, but it's hundreds, not hundreds of thousands. Winding Road has pointed us to the 1:6 scale remote control Ford GT over at wowzzers.com. Equipped with a 23cc engine, this three-plus foot long vehicle can buzz around at a maximum speed around 60 mph. Christmas is coming, and it's only $650.

[Source: Winding Road]

All we want for Christmas is a Ford GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Night Watch: The trials of supercar ownership, By Jeremy Clarkson

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:55:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Ford

Clarkson's never-ending Ford GT saga has been well documented since his initial purchase in 2004. A few articles in his Times UK column, coupled with occasional quips from his co-hosts on Top Gear have made his plight public record. Now, a video-savvy fanboy has put together all the clips from TG to give the definitive account of Jezza's story. Naturally, it's comical in it's own sad, sad way.

Autoblog Night Watch: The trials of supercar ownership, By Jeremy Clarkson originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nicolas Cage donates Ford GT to UTI

Scott Davis — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Ford

Having worked through a two-year automotive technology degree, I have worked on my fair share of donated vehicles. Most came in the form of 165,000-mile woody station wagons that weren't worth the value of the tires they rolled in on. Nicolas Cage was apparently impressed by the program at Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, so he wanted to be sure there would be plenty to talk about for the recruiters working hard to attract new students.

From his personal vehicle collection, Cage donated his 2005 Ford GT to the school to use in a display for a November 29th open house. The vehicle will then be used by the students to learn how to add performance tweaks as well as disassemble and reassemble the GT as a part of their training. Kind of like getting a Nicole Kidman look-alike to work on in medical school.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Nicolas Cage donates Ford GT to UTI originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Superformance rebuilds the original GT40 to spec

John Neff — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:12:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Supercars

Most kit cars we come across are near faithful representations of their muse. Unfortunately, there's always something a little off about the design that doesn't quite match up with the way we remember the original, and nearly always they're only skin deep, offering up merely the appearance of authenticity with the substance of something much lesser. Superformance, the producers of the best Cobra and Cobra Daytona Coupes replicas in the business, builds something a little more than a "kit car". All of its products are complete factory manufactured rollers minus an engine and transmission. This allows the company to bust a fat right around complex emissions and safety regulations by classifying their products as kit cars, though obviously they're so much more.

One of Superformance's current products is its most ambitious ever: a GT40 so realistic and faithful to the original that it's currently being evaluated for historic racing eligibility. What you're looking at is not a modern tube-frame chassis shrink wrapped in a fiberglass body; the Superformance GT40 MkII has a super rigid steel monocoque chassis that's covered in an all-steel body, just like the original MKIIs that made Enzo weep. Nearly everything is just like the original, right down to the "Gurney bump" in the roof. Of course, concessions were made in some areas in the interests of durability, weight savings and safety, but 90% of the parts are interchangeable with the original GT40 MkII, which is amazing. Most notable differences from the source car include the addition of air conditioning and more modern brakes, along with the fact it comes from the factory as LHD instead of RHD. Since it comes without an engine and transmission, you can drop in any engine that fits, but Superformance recommends a ROUSH 427 motor producing 530 horsepower.

The Superformance GT40 MkII looks as good today as it did back then, although it doesn't hurt being photographed by the excellent snapper, Drew Philips, of Fast-Autos.net. Check out the read link to see a full gallery of shots and read Drew's writeup after driving the GT40 MkII on the street.

[Source: Fast-Autos.net]

Superformance rebuilds the original GT40 to spec originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More sick power for the street - a twin turbo Ford GT

Eric Bryant — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:49:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Technology, Ford

Even with Ford's GT making 550 HP (somewhat underrated) courtesy of a supercharger, of course we all know that there will still be owners out there who seek more power. Once the route of pulley swaps has been explored, where to go next? Stage 6 Motorsports thinks that it has the answer in the form of a twin-turbo kit.

The stock Eaton blower is replaced with a pair of Garrett GT35R scrolls from Precision Turbo, which are mounted behind the engine and inboard of the shock towers. Custom exhaust work brings up the hot gases from the low-mounted stock manifolds, and new downpipes dump the spent exhaust through the stock bodywork opening. A custom "hat" adapts a 95mm throttle body and routes compressed air through the stock intercooler (which is built into the intake manifold), and the OEM fuel system remains intact.

The video shows the car putting down over 830 HP on the dyno, and Stage 6 claims that this same vehicle has put down 1012 RWHP with further work. A kit involving fuel system upgrades and internal engine modifications is said to be under development, with potential for several hundred more HP.

While not all of us can identify the effort it takes to fabricate a twin-turbo install for a Ford GT in five days, the terse "I'm staying at the shop and won't be home until much later" phone call with a significant other that occurs at the 9:30 mark in the above video is something to which most of us can relate.

[Source: Streetfire.com; a hat tip to Dubbedinenglish]

Warning: a bit of NSFW language is sprinkled throughout the clip

More sick power for the street - a twin turbo Ford GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reunited, and it feels so good

John Neff — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Ford

Ford reunites GT40 trio that swept Le Mans in '66

click for high-resolution version

2006 marks the 40th anniversary of Ford's 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1966. Born out Ford's desire to be beat Ferrari at its own game, the historic victory came courtesy of three GT40 Mark II race cars that this week were reunited at the Le Mans Classic to commemorate the anniversary. This was the first time all three cars had been together since Ford commemorated the racing event's 30th anniversary some 10 years ago.

Ford of Europe even went to the trouble of shipping the first place car, a black and silver Shelby American Mark II, all the way from the U.S. where it resides under the ownership of American collector George Stauffer.

Ford restaged the 1-2-3 finish for the benefit of photographers, who likely won't get a chance to capture the recreation for another ten years.

(A few more high-resolution pics after the jump)

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Reunited, and it feels so good

Reunited, and it feels so good originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford celebrates 1966 Le Mans victory at 2006 Le Mans Classic

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Ford

Forty years ago, the determination of Henry Ford II to show the world that his company could build a car to compete and win at the pinnacle of international sports car racing was finally rewarded at the 1966 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford's GT40 Mark IIs dominated the race, finishing 1-2-3 (above), and Henry Ford II was there to savor the moment, joining Carroll Shelby's winning team of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon on the podium.

At this year's Le Mans Classic, the popular historic racecar event held annually at the Le Mans circuit, the winning GT40 from 1966 will be joined by the second and third place cars (the Shelby team of Ken Miles and Denny Hulme, and the Holman & Moody team of Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson) to recreate the famous 1966 finish in a unique on-track photo op. The latter two cars will also compete in the Le Mans Classic race, vying for a special one-off commemorative winner's trophy to be presented by Ford Europe president John Fleming.

The winning car will also make a run up Lord March's driveway at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, piloted by none other than Dan Gurney (who actually started the practice of spraying onlookers with the victor's champagne when he won at Le Mans).

Full press release and more pics after the jump.

Continue reading Ford celebrates 1966 Le Mans victory at 2006 Le Mans Classic

Ford celebrates 1966 Le Mans victory at 2006 Le Mans Classic originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford bringing Gurney, GT40 to Goodwood

Alex Nunez — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 08:52:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Supercars, Ford

With less than a week to go before the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the announcements from participating marques continue to roll in. Ford will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and its 4-year win streak at Circuit de la Sarthe by sending one of its original GT40 racing cars prepared for Goodwood in the 1966 winning livery.

Le Mans winners Dan Gurney (1967) and Jackie Oliver (1969) will drive the black #2 GT40 up the hill next weekend. To reiterate, attendees at Goodwood will get to see Dan Gurney, American motorsports icon of the first order, drive a GT40 up the Goodwood hill. Really, the only way it could be better is if he was driving a Mk IV from 1967, but that's probably being greedy.

While the GT40 is the star attraction from the Blue Oval, they're also sending a modern Ford GT for the hillclimb and a 2006 BP Ford Focus RS WRC (currently second in the WRC manufacturer standings). The Focus will be driven on both the hillclimb and the forest rally stage at Goodwood by its regular pilots, Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen.

A number of privately-owned Fords and Ford-powered cars are also entered in the festival.

(Press releases, photos after the jump)

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford bringing Gurney, GT40 to Goodwood

Ford bringing Gurney, GT40 to Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jul 2006 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roush belts out Ford GT pulley kit

Chris Paukert — Thu, 18 May 2006 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Etc., Technology, Supercars, Ford

We at Autoblog hear the same lament all the time... "I love my Ford GT, but with just 550 horsepower, it's a shade on the pokey side." Well, LeMans-if-not-for-traffic pilots, the go-faster guys and gals at Roush feel your pain.

To that end, they've just introduced a GT replacement pulley kit reportedly good for 25 horsepower and 25 lb.-ft. of torque. The kit comes with a new pulley (natch), a replacement belt, a couple of quarts of supercharger gear case oil and sealant.

The best part? The MSRP is a shade over $300... which isn't bad for something good for 25/25. Besides, for enthusiastic Ford GT owners, that's a drop in the proverbial bucket. Now, if we could just get the gurus over at Roush to lend us a proper test rig...

[Sources: Roush; Ford Motor Company]

Roush belts out Ford GT pulley kit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 May 2006 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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