1965 427 Cubic Inch Shelby Ford GT 40

The first Ford GT came out in the summer of 1963. Ultimate success for the Ford GT program, and it proved very successful, would involve the racing car expertise of internationally known Texan Carroll Shelby.

Carroll Shelby and the AC Cobra

Ford turned the program over to Carroll Shelby, who was achieving international success with his Cobra sports cars.

Carroll Shelby was noted for his work on the AC chassis he imported from England which was married with a Ford V-8. This was quite an undertaking. To accommodate the big block Ford V-8 several alterations had to be made to the AC chassis. This included a larger tube frame and five inches added to the width. Flared fenders were also added to accommodate the larger wheels.

Carroll Shelby had a strong working relationship with the Ford Motor Company. This relationship had Shelby installing a Ford V-8 in the Cobra. The first Cobra in 1962 had a Ford 260 horsepower engine inside a 2,100 pound sports car. This combination made for a powerful little car.

The Origins of the Ford GT

The 1965 Ford GT-40 weighed 2,600 lbs and could be considered a road rocket.

The beginnings of the GT program were said to have been the idea of Henry Ford II after his failed bid to buy Ferrari. Ford really desired a car that could compete at races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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