After Ford’s failure to purchase Ferrari in the early 60’s they were determined to beat Ferrari in their own backyard by taking them on at Le Mans. Based loosely on Eric Broadley’s Lola GT, the GT40. The car followed latest thinking, being fitted with a 4.7 litre mid engine linked to a Colotti transaxle. The car first appeared at the Le Mans test day in April 1964. Although fast, the car was aerodynamically unstable as Jo Schlesser found out when the car took off and was badly damaged.
When the car appeared for the race, it had sprouted front spoilers that helped reduce front end lift. Unfortunately, all 3 cars entered failed to finish but would lay the foundation for success in later years.
|
|
