The 1966 Ford GT40 was well-known in the 1960s for being a high-performance endurance racing car. After much disappointment with its speed during production in the UK, manufacturing relocated to the United States in 1964, where the maker achieved real results.

Updated November 2022: The price of classic automobiles can fluctuate widely depending on many factors. Economic changes, demand, supply, and cultural factors can all impact the price and availability of certain models. With that in mind, we have updated this article to reflect the most recent information available on the 1966 Ford GT40.

After its finishing touches and meeting its highly anticipated performance numbers, the GT40 debuted in 1966. It was a racing car heavily inspired by American-built Ford V8 engines that were specifically modified for racing, especially the Lola Mk6.

The initial release of the GT40 was earlier in 1965 in Le Mans. However, after Henry Ford's creation failed to secure first place, the team went back to create a Mark II version, which raced again in '66 and, of course, smashed it out of the park. It beat Ferrari's P3 and totally stunned the world.

Once finally released into the racing market for further races, it was widely admired. Seeing as the GT40 went down in history for its reworks and amazing results, we wonder exactly how much one will cost today.

On that note, let us reveal more about the 1966 Ford GT40 and its present estimated market value.

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The 1966 Ford GT40 Had Some Awesome Specs

Red Ford GT40
Wikimedia

The final release of the 1966 Ford GT40 boasted an eight-cylinder 90-degree vee pushrod engine as well as four twin-choke Weber carburetors. It was fully kitted out, as Henry Ford had hoped and the fans expected. At best, this almighty engine could top a whopping 390 hp, which sure did sound beautiful around the track.

After racing around on the tracks, Ford decided to make a street-legal version of the 1966 Ford GT40, which was the most expensive Ford on the market at the time. Back then, it cost fifteen times the amount of a standard Ford Anglia. Thus, not many people managed to get their hands on one. It is good that it wasn't affordable by all, as only thirty-one cars made it to production for the mass market.

The Ford GT40 has debuted in different Mark levels since its 1966 model. The reason for this is so that the team could improve its engine and, therefore, enhance its performance times. The main aim was to get the top speed possible and beat all other sport racing cars on the tracks. The team finally stopped remodeling the GT40 in 1967 with the Mark IV. This featured a 7-liter engine and reinforced J chassis, which was very similar to the Mark II version that won the famous race at Le Mans.

The Mark II, which featured in and famously won the race in question, was undoubtedly the best model that Ford produced. Nothing beat it, as its simple tweaks made all the difference.

The Ford GT40 Is As Fast As It Looks

Silver Ford GT40
Flickr

Being a high-performance racing car, you would expect it to hit immense speeds, wouldn't you? Well, it certainly did. After a famous reworking to beat others in the race at Le Mans, the final 1966 Ford GT40 could top speeds of 200 mph. Ferrari wasn't happy when the GT40 zoomed past their P3 at the race. The Ferrari P3's top speed could max out at 186 mph, which of course, allowed the GT40 to win by a long shot.

Thanks to its speed, the 1966 Ford GT40 managed to grab four international titles. Those included the 1966 International Manufacturers Championship and the 1966 International Championship for Sports Cars.

One year later, the GT40 managed to win the 1967 International Championship for Sports Cars yet again, and its final award was the 1968 International Championship for Makes. Even as recently as 2020, the car boasts wins in events such as Daytona and Sebring. Indeed, the GT40 had the speed to match its looks.

RELATED: A Detailed Look Back At The 1966 Ford GT40

You Need To Be A Multi-Millionaire To Own A 1966 Ford GT40

Ford-GT40-1966-1600-02
Ford

Ford GTs were pretty expensive when they hit the market. Seeing as it won so many titles and has an immense history, it makes sense to find out that they sell for just shy of $10 million. Only thirty-one units existed, so that really explains the exclusive price. It was difficult to get a hold of at the time of its release and is still difficult to find for purchase today, partially due to its increased popularity after the release of the movie Ford V Ferrari which chronicled the car's win at Le Mans.

If you get lucky, don't be expecting to pay any less than the $10 million asking price (though one example did sell for $4 million). Recent auctions have seen the car go for upwards of $12 million. Owners will likely want to grab hold of them with both hands and not let go for an affordable price.

To summarize, the Ford GT40 was a gob-smacking car in the making. The many reworks were clearly well worth the hassle as it won many awards and is now one of the most expensive GT models of all time.

Sources: Mecum Auctions, Revs Institute