Ford GT Prototype (1964)

Ford GT Prototype

With the objective of beating Ferrari® and winning Le Mans, Ford began development of its own race car in 1963, and less than a year later, the Ford GT prototype (chassis GT/101) was revealed at the 1964 New York International Auto Show.

Five GT prototypes were built - the first Ford models to use deep aerodynamic analysis to optimize high-speed performance. These are some of the most significant cars produced by Ford, marking the foundation for the GT program that culminated in the company's 1-2-3 sweep at Le Mans in 1966.

Of the five Ford GT prototypes built, chassis GT/105 is the only one to survive and wear the period-correct livery.

Chassis GT/101 and GT/102 were scrapped after Le Mans and Monza crash testing, but that testing was critical in making significant improvements to GT/103, GT/104 and GT/105. Marking the first GT victory, GT/103 won at Daytona® in 1965 with Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby behind the wheel, while GT/104 placed third with Bob Bondurant and Ritchie Ginther. Both GT/103 and GT/104 have been repainted and are exclusive displays at the Shelby® Museum in Boulder, Colorado.