Two And Done; But What a Beauty... [PIC]

The Ford GT40 MklV only ran in two races: The 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans... and won both. Although still using the 7.0 liter drive train of the Mkll, it was an entirely different car based on a reinforced J-Car chassis. Unlike the Mark l, ll and lll this model was built in America by Ford's "Kar Kraft" in Detroit. That made it the only All-American victory in Le Mans history. After Ken Miles' fatal crash, it was obvious the honey combed structure of the prior Marks was inadequate having virtually disintegrated on impact, so a robust roll cage was added making the car 600lbs heavier than Ferraris 330 and 512 cars and putting too much of a load on the brakes. Its beautifully long body did achieve the desired top speeds on the long straights making it a winner in the events it entered despite having to coast into a turn before braking to save the brakes. Further development of this series virtually went nowhere and ironically could not use the GT40 trademark. It was owned by Peter Thorn's racing company, SAFIR and is currently owned by a successor, SAFIR GT40 Spares, who are now trying to market a low cost GT40 chassis for those wishing to race but unable to afford a real one.

I have one of these Exotos in Holman-Moody livery but I love this unliveried model in a Chromillusion finish  just to enjoy the lines of the body  despite its 'cobbled together' enhanced a zillion exposed rivets.