VIDEO: Olthoff Racing Factory – Superformance GT40 Mark II – Specs, History + High-Res Photo Comparison Vs. GT40 Mark I

Is there beauty in functionality? That is the question to ask when debating a GT40 Mark I versus its successor, the GT40 Mark II.

Is authenticity of the actual 1-2-3 1966 7.0-liter Mark II race win better than the clean lines and simple aesthetic of the Mark I — which was actually a trouble-prone testing bed for the losing 1964 and 1965 seasons?

The 24 Hours of LeMans is widely known as the most grueling durability and endurance test ever fathomed, let alone run annually with a field of more than sixty cars across four racing categories: LMP1, LMP2, GT2 and GT3.

Similar classes of varying pace were always a LeMans hallmark. It is not only a test of the cars – but the pit crews, the drivers, and a test of man versus nature at its core. Could a single machine be driven flat-out at speeds topping 240MPH down the Mulsanne Straight, then down to 15MPH by the Tertre Rouge at the end of this huge flat-out section. No chicanes at this point, so the yellow line below is accurate for 1966.

What does Tertre Rouge translate to in a English? Red Mound. As in: blood red hill if your brakes failed or faded.

Designing a car that could do both things meant it had to be reliable, devastatingly-fast, and relatively drive-able. All GT40’s were many things, but manageable at low speeds was not really one of those traits. Straight-line pace was the core competency, with brakes and transmissions and cabins all cooled most effectively via ram-air effect of huge wind as high speeds.

From the inception of Ford Advanced Vehicles in 1963, the team learned quickly about what would work against this, the most prestigious endurance race in the world. The Shelby excelled on small tracks. It was too short and too darty at super-Vmax speeds to be a serious contender in the LMP1 class.

The GT40 was the marquee achievement in 1964, but did not snatch its first victory from under Ferrari’s nose until 1966.

Simultaneous development of the GT40 Mark II began almost as soon as the first-gen GT40s started testing in 1964.

Larger and more-brutish aero scoops and spats were mandatory to keep everything cool — including the drivers — huge revisions to the overall suspension and brakes meant these new cooling channels were now ducted to exactly where the cool air was needed, versus just shunted in for the first GT40.

The result is the GT40 Mark II, faithfully and authentically recreated today by Superformance with the blessing of the Ford Racing Safir Spares organization.

Any current updates simply continue the evolution of this purposeful design – air conditioning, better-quality and stronger steels, lighter weights and more gear ratios.

Visiting Olthoff Racing in North Carolina was a dream-come-true for a car and history fanatic like myself, and I snapped 350 photos in under an hour. That is not exactly LeMans pace, but I will do better on my own Mark II evolution — harder, lighter, faster, stronger.

Just like the Superformance GT40 Mark II – which would go on to win for not just 1966, but 1967, 1968 and 1969 on the trot.

As the specs and official details show below, the only major changes versus the racecars are all enhancements. But the Superformance’s standard Air Conditioning would be the most-admired feature among drivers of the 1966-1969 LeMans dominance by the Mark II GT40.

Reliving these glories is fine in print, but from about $150,000 — Superformance and Olthoff Racing will build you a street-legal example that can be driven to work every day.

Trust me, the cars in the flesh and firing on all cylinders leave quite the impression – in a way that old film reels and even this article surely cannot.

TECH SPECS

GENERAL SPECS   1966 Ford GT 40 Mk IIA
Le Mans Winner
  Superformance
GT Mk II
Weight, lb 2682 2400
Weight Distribution
front/rear, %
38/62 40/60
Wheelbase in. 95.0 95.0
Track front/rear, in. 57/56 56/59
Overall length, in. 163.0 163.0
Overall width, in.
(over scoops)
70.0 70.5
Height, in. 40.5 39.5 – 40.5
Frontal area, sq. ft. 15.8 15.8
Fuel tank capacity, gal. 42 22.5
ENGINE SPECS
Family Ford FE Ford 351W
N. cyl. & type V8 V8
Bore x stroke, in. 4.232 x 3.784 4.125 x 4.000
Displacement, cu. in. 427 427
Compression ratio 10.5 10.25
Bhp @ rpm 485 @ 6200 550 @ 5600
Torque @ rpm, lb. ft. 475 @ 4000 535 @ 5200
Carburation 1 x 4 bbl 1 x 4 bbl, or EFI
DRIVE TRAIN
Transaxle Ford T-44 RBT
Speeds 4 5
Gear ratios,
transmission/overall
1st 2.22 / 6/18 2.58 / 9.73
2nd 1.43 / 3.96 1.61 / 6.07
3rd 1.19 / 3.30 1.14 / 4.30
4th 1.00 / 2.77 0.846 / 3.19
5th 0.642 / 2.42
Differential ratio 3.09 3.77
Transfer gear ratio 0.899
AERODYNAMICS
Frontal area 14.1 sq ft 14.1 sq ft
Drag coefficient (Cd) 0.39 0.39
Drag area (Cd*A) 5.50 5.50
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
Frame type Semi-monocoque,
sheet steel
Semi-monocoque,
sheet steel
Brake type Vented disc, single caliper Vented disc, single caliper
TIRES Goodyear “A” Yokohama Avid
Front tires 9.75 – 15
(250 / 60-15 approx)
225 / 60R15 (test)
225 / 50R15 (opt)
Rear tires 12.8 – 15
(325 / 60-15 approx)
275 / 60R15 (test)
295 / 50R15 (opt)
WHEELS
Front wheels 15 x 8
Rear Wheels 15 x 10
Steering type Rack and pinion Rack and pinion
Front suspension Independent with unequal length A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar Independent with unequal length A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Independent with trailing arms, unequal length lateral arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar Independent with trailing arms, unequal length lateral arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
INSTRUMENTATION
Instruments 7000 rpm tach oil temperature water temperature fuel pressure ammeter gearbox oil temperature oil pressure 8000 rpm tach water temperature oil temperature fuel level ammeter 200 mph speedometer
Warning lights differential oil pressure engine oil pressure high beam alternator turn signal radiator cooling fans
CALCULATED DATA
Engine rpm @ 60mph 1905 1811
LB / hp (with driver) 5.8 4.6
SPEED IN GEARS
mph @ rpm
1st 89 @ 6200 53 @ 6400
2nd 140 @ 6200 85 @ 6400
3rd 170 @ 6200 120 @ 6400
4th 205 @ 6200 161  @ 6400
5th 207 @ 6400
ACCELERATION
Time to speed
0-40 mph, sec. 2.8 2.1
0-60 mph, sec. 4.2 3.7
0-80 mph, sec. 5.6 4.8
0-100 mph, sec. 8.2 6.9
0-120 mph, sec. 10.8 9.2
0-140 mph, sec. 14.0 11.8
0-160 mph, sec. 19.1 15.3
0-180 mph, sec. 27.0 21.7
Time to distance
Quarter mile, sec. @ mph. 12.0 @ 129 11.2 @ 135
FUEL ECONOMY
Steady state mpg in top gear
70 mph 16.5 16.0
100 mph 15.7 15.1
150 mph 10.1 9.62
200 mph 6.2 5.9

Notes:
1. Data for 1966 Ford GT40 from: Road & Track, Oct 1966, Portrait of the Le Mans Winner, Technical Analysis.
2. Data for Superformance GT40 Mk II from: Dimensions measured from GT 001 Weights from factory
data for GT 002. Production drive train ratios from factory data engine specs from Roush data.
3. Superformance GT40’s correct height depends on tire size and settings.
4. Superformance GT40 is lighter, primarily because of a lighter engine.
5. Difference in tread measurement is due primarily to differences in tire sizes.
6. Acceleration and fuel economy data from performance simulator.
7. Ford GT40 initial acceleration hampered by tall first gear.

Official Details below from Superformance

GT40 continuation collectible is licensed and endorsed by Safir GT40 Spares LLC, as a true “continuation” of the original. Each hand crafted GT40 carries the GT40 -P chassis number and is registry eligible. The versions that are currently offered are the MK1 or MK11 “A” and “B” body styles, available in right or left hand drive, and have a curb weight of 2400 lbs.

The chassis is an exact replication of the original monococque unibody structure down to the press steel roof spider. The only departure is the use of electro-galvanized sheet steel in the construction. The chassis, at over 12,000 pounds per degree is stiffer than any other chassis on the market, and is made up of over 244 laser cut and bent or pressed parts.

The suspension features the original race car lay out. So original are the GT40 continuation models that two thirds or the parts are interchangeable with an original.

The GT40 continuation accurately replicates the original chassis, suspension, wheel hubs, uprights, pedal box, instruments, steering, dash, “bundle of snakes” headers, catches and latches to name a but a few.

Automobile owners also have the luxury of modern safety modifications such Wilwood super light brakes, Bilstein shocks with H& R springs, an adjustable pedal box, cross flow radiator. Air conditioning which has been added with the compressor unit cleverly disguised in a mock up dry sump placed in the original position.

A center shifter is standard but the continuation GT40 may be ordered with an original style sill shifter available for right hand drive models. IF you have a left hand drive continuation GT40 you may want to opt for a modified sill shifter which is cable driven.

The Continuation GT40 is 163 inches long, 40 inches high with a ground clearance of 4″. The GT40 continuation is 70 inches wide. The track front and rear are both 57 inches with a 95 inch wheelbase. The GT40 continuation has dual “Monza” style gas fillers and a 22.5 gallon fuel tank.

The interior features original style seats and racing 4 point harness seat belts. The GT40 continuation will comfortably fit a 95 percentile driver (6’2″ X 240 lbs) by removing the seat “trampoline” support. A Racing style dash features Smith Gauges. The GT40 continuation has Rack and Pinion steering and has been fitted with a removable steering wheel for easy access to the cockpit.

We offer the following wheel options on the MKI: The standard MK1 BRM style rims are 10″ wide in the rear. Available on special order are the MKI BRM style 8″ rims or the wide body 13″ rims. The spare wheel access cover can be ordered in a single or dual opening type.

The GT40 continuation leaves the factory as complete rolling chassis, complete in every way except for the engine, clutch, and transaxle.

The recommended power source is a specially prepared Roush engine with the new RBT/ZF style 5-speed transaxle but owners also have the option to fit a Ford-based 289, 302, or 351W small block or 427 big block (MKII only) engine.

*Our GT-40 chassis uses ZE 50/50 a Zinc coated mildsteel steel(Electro Galvanized Steel) this ensures that our Chassis stand the test of time against rust and other harmful pollutants.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

GT40 MKII

 

  • A complete factory assembled rolling chassis.
  • Show quality PPG paint finishes with many standard colors.
  • Fully independent front and rear suspension.
  • Bilstein® coil over progressive shocks with H&R Springs®.
  • Four-wheel vented disc brakes, Wilwood calipers.
  • Aluminum radiator/oil cooler with dual electric fans.
  • Original style steel monocoque chassis.
  • Pressed steel roof.
  • Original style suspension.
  • Included in latest Shelby World Registry.
  • Right and Left-hand drive models available.
  • Shifter & Handbrake located in center of tunnel.
  • Original style seats with silver rivets.
  • High capacity air-conditioner.
  • Oil cooler and braided lines.
  • Center engine scoop.
  • Double brake lights.
  • Bolt on adjustable spoiler.
  • Halibrand style wheels.
  • Aggressive snorkels.
  • Single scoop hood insert.
  • Accommodates big or small block engines.
  • Gurney bubble optional.
  • Authentic right-hand sill rod shift optional.

Special Thanks to Superformance and Olthoff Racing!

Brought to you by Superformance LLC
© 2007 Superformance LLC
6 Autry Irvine, CA. 92618

 

Olthoff Racing

Olthoff Racing
150 Cobra Lane
Mt. Ulla, NC 28125

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.

#Ford0001966196719681969AccessoriesaerodynamicsAnimated EvolutionsAnimationsapparelAuto brandsAutomotive ArchitecturecarCAR ARTWORK - ImagesCar CareCar ClubsCar ConfiguratorsCAR CULTURE - Classic CarsCar ModsCar PhotographersCar Revs DailyCAR SHOPPINGCar Travelcar-revs-daily.comCarRevsDailyClassic CarsConcept Cars / DesignConcoursCustom CarsDennis OlthoffDream GaragesdriveDynamic Desktop Wallpapersendurance racingEnginefashionFerrariFirst Drive PhotosFull DRIVEN Car ReviewsFun Car GifsGift IdeasGTGT40Hall of FameHD VIDEOHigh-Resolution PhotographyHypercarsIIAjewelryLATEST NEWSLeManslifestyleLLCMoviesMuscle CarsMuseumsNEW CARSOlthoff RacingPhotographyPricingRacingSafir SparesSpecsSports CarsSports CoupesSupercarsSuperformancetechnologyTom BurkartTrack CarsTRAINVideosvintage racecarsWallpapersWheels