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The Ford Mk IV of 1967 was a development of the experimental J car that appeared at the Le Mans test weekend of 1966. With a chassis built of bonded and riveted aluminum honeycomb sheet, it saved over 300 pounds from the previous Ford GT40 Mk II. Armed with a 500 horsepower 427 V8 and shifted through a T44 4 speed gearbox, it proved to be a formidable weapon for the Le Mans 24 Hour race, winning there in 1967, with Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt sharing the driving. Down the Mulsanne straight (“Les Hunardieres”), the big Mk IVs easily exceeded 200 mph.
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Almost immediately after this victory, the CSI announced a ban on engine capacity for these Sports-prototypes, limiting the size to 303 cubic inches and effectively banning the mighty Fords.
Bill Peter built this car from scratch and calls his creation the “J-What?” in entry lists. Bill has raced his wondrous creation for many years over here in America but as this Mk IV is built to the same specification as the original cars, it should be able to get FIA HTP papers, allowing it to be raced in Europe also. I doubt that many race organizers would refuse it entry, it being such an individual piece.
If you are looking for a good historic racer, and one that’s well sorted, it’s a great car.
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Site Contents © John Starkey 2011
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