That great icon of Le Mans, the GT40, will be 50 years old in 2013 – or at least it will be 50 years since the start of Ford’s GT40 programme. The first car wasn’t finished till early 1964.

In celebration of this landmark, “the world’s finest collection of significant and authentic racing Ford GT40s” will take part in a one-model Whitsun Trophy race at the Goodwood Revival (13-15 September 2013) – the first time there has ever been a dedicated competition for GT40s, anywhere in the world.

The Ford project began in 1963, when Henry Ford II set out to beat ‘il Commendatore’ – Enzo Ferrari – at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The GT40 was a development of the 1963 Lola Mk6 GT, engineered by Eric Broadley’s team in England. The Ford GT40 went on to win Le Mans four years in a row, from 1966 to 1969.

Tickets for the 2013 Goodwood Revival can be purchased via the Goodwood website (www.goodwood.com/motorsport), or the Ticket Hotline: +44 (0)1243 755055.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photo: Classic Driver