Ultimate Ford GT40 – The Definitive History (Volume 2)

Definitive history of the Ford GT40 from its origins in 1963 up to Le Mans 1965. 

Limited to 750 copies. 576 pages and over 1,000 images. Printed and bound in Great Britain.

"...this has to be a must for GT40 fans." Magneto

• Large-format 576-page book illustrated with over 1,000 period photographs and documents.
• The origins of the GT40, including Ford’s failed plan to buy Ferrari, the Lola Mk6, and the initial prototypes.
• The setting up of Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, the introduction of Shelby American to the Ford GT project, and the arrival of the GT40 Mark II.
• Every race in the 1964 and early 1965 racing programme.
• Biographies of drivers and important personalities involved in the GT40 programme.
• Previously unpublished interviews with key personnel.
• A treasure-trove of previously unpublished documents and photographs, throwing new light on every aspect of the GT40 story.

The GT40 is the Ford that beat Ferrari, recording four consecutive Le Mans victories between 1966 and 1969. The early history of the car is covered in unprecedented detail in this second volume of a landmark four-volume series which has been years in the making.

With unique access to thousands of pages of original documentation produced by Ford, Ford Advanced Vehicles and Shelby American, and previously unpublished interviews with many of those involved with the GT40 in period, the authors provide new insight and analysis of this iconic sports-racing car.

More than 1,000 illustrations include previously unseen period photographs from the archives of Ford Motor Company and numerous photographers and agencies.

More about this book

Ultimate Ford GT40 is a four-volume series which tells the story of the GT40 in unparalleled detail. From the car’s roots in the early 1960s through the challenges of its formative racing career, to its triumphs at Le Mans, every aspect of the GT40 and its remarkable history is documented and analysed.

Volume 1 provides chassis records, competition histories and photos for every GT40 built. Written by Ronnie Spain, who is acknowledged as the world’s foremost expert on the GT40, it is the culmination of more than 46 years of research and was published in December 2024.

Volume 2 begins the chronological history of the GT40, investigating the origins of the car, including Ford’s initial plan to buy Ferrari, the story of the Lola Mk6, from which many design cues were taken, and the subsequent development of the Ford GT project.

It details the design and build of the prototypes and early production cars, the extensive testing programme, and the full story of the GT40’s races in 1964 and early 1965:

• 1964 Nürburgring 1,000Kms
• 1964 Le Mans 24 Hours
• 1964 Reims 12 Hours
• 1964 Nassau Tourist Trophy
• 1965 Daytona Continental 2,000Kms
• 1965 Sebring 12 Hours
• 1965 Le Mans test weekend
• 1965 Monza 1,000Kms
• 1965 Targa Florio
• 1965 Silverstone International Sports Car race
• 1965 Nürburgring 1,000Kms
• 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours

The authors have obtained unique access to thousands of pages of original 1960s documentation produced by Ford and its agents Ford Advanced Vehicles and Shelby American. Complemented by previously unpublished interviews with many of those involved with the GT40 in period, this newly discovered material has enabled them to describe the GT40 and its history in unparalleled detail, providing much new insight and analysis.

With the enthusiastic cooperation of the Ford Motor Company, many previously unseen photographs have been made available to illustrate the GT40 throughout its design, build and racing career. Additionally, other photographers and agencies have delved into their archives to come up with pictures which hitherto have not been seen in print.

The result is a spectacular large-format volume with 576 pages, extensively illustrated with over 1,000 period photographs and documents.

Volume 3 will continue the story, starting after Le Mans 1965 and detailing the pivotal 1965/66 racing programme, up to and including the GT40s dominant 1966 Le Mans victory.

Volume 4 will cover the period from post-Le Mans 1966 to 1970, detailing the GT40s subsequent development including the Mark IV and Mirage cars.

Together, these four volumes will provide the most detailed and comprehensive study of the GT40’s history ever undertaken, and throw new light on many of the mysteries and controversies surrounding these revered cars.

Specification

• Limited to 750 copies
• 340mm x 245mm
• Cloth-bound hardback
• 576 pages
• Over 1000 images
• ISBN: 978-1-913089-72-6
• Publisher: Porter Press International
• Publication date: August 2025
• Authors: John S Allen, Graham Endeacott and Mark Cole with Mike Teske

The authors

We have assembled a team of the world’s foremost expert authors and GT40 specialists, who have collaborated to bring their combined knowledge and experience of these cars to the project.

For Volume 2 the writing team comprises John S Allen, Graham Endeacott and Mark Cole, with Mike Teske providing his expertise and material from his extensive GT40 archive.