1967 Ford GT40 Coupe

Public debut of the Ford GT Mk IV program was announced by a news release that described the all-new Ford-Dearborn designed and built car (rather than Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, England, builder of all previous Ford GT cars) to campaign in world class racing under FIA Appendix J regulations.

Many know the story of the GT40. They were originally built with the single goal of beating Ferrari, who dominated and won at Le Mans six times in a row. The GT40 MK IV model was designed and built in the United States. They are powered by American-designed and built engines modified for racing. The GT40 would indeed succeed, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans four consecutive times, including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966.

The aluminum J chassis was both lighter and stronger than the previous steel and rivet tub MK II Ford GT that won Le Mans in 1966. Mk IV development was at the behest of Henry Ford II who wanted an all-American win at Le Mans.

First J testing was during March 1966. Twelve J chassis were built. J-5 was the first built as a Mk IV (yellow), winner of the Sebring 12-Hours. J-6 (red) won the Le Mans 24-Hours setting new speed and distance records. Following Le Mans, FIA outlawed engines over 3-liter displacement, and J chassis development shifted to Canadian-American Challenge Cup racing.

Two chassis, J-9 and J-10, were built into open Can-Am form as G7-A cars (Group 7, A=first version). J-9 was completed during August, 1967 with Ford's new Calliope over-under dual internal cam Hemi engine. It was a 3-vlave 7-liter V8 (Three such engines were built, each with slide throttle fuel injection that made response difficult to control) and had an adjustable-dihedral rear wing much like Jim Hall's Chaparrals. It was wind tunnel tested followed by a track shakedown by Mario Andretti, but never raced.

Mario Andretti test drove the first G7-A built, J-9, the development car. J-10 was raced to little success. J-9 and J-10 were sold. The Agapiou brothers then bought it from Ford for $1 in early 1969 with the agreement to return in a year for the same money! It never happened. J-9 was subsequently re-bodied as a Mk IV with 427 'wedge' power. It remained in the brothers Los Angeles garage until 2015 when it was acquired and restored to original Mk IV GT40 specifications.