The current generation Ford GT’s production run ends in 2022, and we already miss it. This track-munching supercar was the result of decades of endurance racing experience on the international stage. Much like the original GT40, Ford designed this generation Ford GT with one purpose in mind: to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which it did spectacularly on its first attempt. The modern motorsport legend is down to its final 250 cars, signalling the conclusion of an era in Ford history that will live on.
Ford’s pioneering GT40 won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the 50th anniversary of the race. This remarkable achievement was the product of years of hard labour to create a race car capable of defeating Ferrari. Ferrari race vehicles were legendary in Le Mans, and no one won more 24 hours of Le Mans than Ferrari in the 1950s and 1960s.
Following the failure of Ford’s attempt to purchase Ferrari, the firm focused its energies and spare cash on a campaign to humiliate Ferrari on the international scene. Ford defeated Ferrari and established themselves as a Le Mans legend with the support of legends such as Carol Shelby, Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, Mario Andretti, and others.
With the second generation of the Ford GT nearing the end of its production cycle, Multimatic the company that builds Ford GT expects to complete production of all 1,350 units by December 2022. That means that we’ll have to wait until the next time Ford is ready to remind motorsport fans of its endurance racing pedigree to see the third generation Ford GT. We’re certainly sad to see production end, but we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historic nameplate.
