The story of Ford’s GT40 at LeMans is well documented in the book “Go Like Hell” and in the movie “Ford vs. Ferrari.”  What the Ford Motor Company accomplished through sheer brute force and determination (along with a whole lot of cash) was amazing.  However, the GT40 has lived on through two modern renditions by Ford and in numerous replicas.  If you are looking for a modern version of the GT40 in a kit you can complete yourself, then check out this Performance Fabrication Works GT40 kit for sale on eBay in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  While kit cars carry a certain stigma, this one is built for racetrack combat.  With modern technology and a purpose-built tube frame, this is no VW based fiberglass toy.  At a Buy It Now price of $29,990, is this a project you would like to take on?

It is hard to believe that it took only 37 years from the last Model T rolling off the assembly line to the GT40’s first race.  The leap in technology was simply astounding.  While the GT40 essentially became obsolete in racing by 1969, the general design and layout still holds tremendous potential.  Superformance and a host of other companies have built GT40 replicas for racing and street use.  The quality and deviations from stock vary, but the GT40 design is still highly sought after so many years later.

The vehicle you see here is built on the principle of applying the technological and mechanical upgrades of the past fifty years to the GT40 design.  The computer designed tubular steel frame is made of mostly 1020 steel in 1.5′ diameter tubes and tig welded together.  It is designed to accept both generation one and later Coyote small block engines combined with either a Porsche or ZF transaxle.  It may be interesting to find out if this chassis will accept Ford’s new 7.3-liter Godzilla engine.  It seems that there is a lot of aftermarket interest in this engine, and it possibly would make for a good modern big block update.

The suspension is a combination of custom-made A-frames and C5 Corvette components.  The front suspension is constructed with shocks, while the rear uses coil overs.  The braking system is from a C5, but the rotors are aftermarket.  Steering is handled by an almost universal Mustang II setup with a Sweet Manufacturing steering column and a quick release hub.  The car is also equipped with GT40 style wheels front and rear.

As for the body, the whole of it was constructed from hand laid fiberglass.  The molds were made using an original GT40.  As it sits now, the body is rough fitted to the chassis and will require the usual sanding, painting, and other work required to bring it up to presentation level finish.  The hinges are already attached to the doors, but it seems there will need to be some fitting there as well.

Looking at the rear of the chassis from inside the car, it is hard not to get excited about shoving a modern high horsepower, high revving engine into that space.  Original GT40s could hit 210 plus miles per hour on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans.  Just imagine what could be accomplished with modern mechanicals and weight saving materials.  This is undoubtedly an imposing project, but there is something special about the GT40 in any form.

In closing, you may want to read this Road and Track article by Phil Hill on the GT40 that won Le Mans in 1969.  The article not only covers this famous car, but Hill’s involvement in the program.  If this car can evoke that kind of emotion from a World Champion driver, then it must really be something special.