When you look at this 1966 Ford GT40 replica, you should get a visceral excitement just because of what it represents. Dressed up Gulf livery like the #6 car that won the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans, it's one of the most iconic race cars of all time. And here it is, ready to enjoy in street-legal trim.You know this car is significant because Ford built a limited number of GTs wearing the familiar blue and orange Gulfsport colors, and those are the most valuable of all today. The real #6 still exists, and should it ever come to market, it would likely sell for eight figures. Fortunately, this replica is extremely faithful, offering a well-researched paint scheme that accurately replicates the original, right down to the proper sponsorship decals in all the right places. There's an awesome gloss to the paint that ignores the ten years since it was built, and it has indeed been on the track to prove its mettle, so it does show a few nicks here and there. And somehow, that only adds to the car's appeal. It sits right, looks right, and sounds right, and benefits from proper care since it was completed. This is a special car.The interior does a pretty good impersonation of the original, too, right down to the lightweight buckets with ring-style upholstery. The doors still open into the roof, making it easy to climb up and over the incredibly wide sills, and you strap in with five-point harnesses. Once you're behind the wheel, you'll find a few creature comforts that make staying there easy: leather seats, a tilt steering column, back-up camera, and a full array of Auto Meter gauges in a panel that's very much like the original. One of the biggest issues with the original was the foot box, which made dancing with three pedals awkward unless you have really tiny feet; on this car, that problem is solved with an automatic gearbox, which is more than up to the task of delivering the performance. The engine cackles and snarls behind your right shoulder and the lightweight door panels are embossed with the GT/40 logo. The engine is a 302 cubic inch Ford V8 built to scream to 10,000 RPM. With 400 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque on tap, the featherweight Ford is ferociously fast. It looks very authentic, too, with absolutely gorgeous custom-made headers snaking around the back of the engine. The chassis is by Taylor Racing, and is independent at all four corners with coil-over shocks and drilled and slotted Baer brakes, so it's more than up to the rigors of the track. A giant aluminum radiator lives up front, along with the reservoirs for the brake system, and the built three-speed automatic transmission never flinches at the power running through it. Twin fuel cells replicate the original setup, which helps with balance, and there's an aluminum belly tray that makes this car rock-steady at speed. Beautiful 18-inch wheels were custom made for this application and look very much like the original knock-offs and they wear staggered 285/30/18 front and 335/30/18 rear Dunlop radials.Historically significant and still a blast to drive, this fantastic replica is a great way to own and drive a legend. It delivers 95% of the original experience for 5% of the original's price tag. How is that not a win? Call today!
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