From 1966 through 1969, they were world-beaters. The 427ci big-block Ford V-8-powered GT40 Mk IIs finished First, Second, and Third overall at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in Rheims, France. With dramatically different bodies, but still powered by Ford 427ci big-blocks, the Mk IV GT40 came in First and Fourth overall for the 1967 Le Mans. In 1968 and 1969, the same GT40 Mk I, with a small-block Ford 289ci V-8, captured First Place overall. By 1969, GT40 Mk Is claimed First and Third overall, though the GT40 no longer had Ford's financial backing, which meant it wouldn't be developed any further. Other race car manufacturers like Porsche had the latest high-technology race cars that effectively put the Ford GT40 into the rearview mirror of racing obsolescence and automotive racing history tomes.
Thanks to the popularity of vintage racing throughout the world, we automotive enthusiasts get to see these extremely rare Le Mans dominators doing battle on some of the same circuits that made them world famous. Sometimes they're even driven by the very auto racing heroes we watched in our collective gearhead youths. Men like Gurney, Foyt, Bondurant, Ickx, Oliver, Hobbs, and Amon have been known to take a turn or two behind the wheel of these fabulous mid-engine, purpose-built beauties in vintage racing venues across the globe.
One would need to at least be a multi-millionaire to own one of the original 250 racing GT40s, or certainly be one of those professional racing icons of yore to vintage race one of the genuine Ford GT40s. If it weren't for replicar companies like Backdraft Racing, we Ford GT40 fans who wish to do more than just watch the originals race around a road course or sit in a museum would have nothing to dream about owning, building, and driving.
To spice things up, the first...
To spice things up, the first BDR GT is painted Salsa Red. The front air dam looks and performs great, but requires diligent driving over dips, driveways, and road bumps to avoid scraping the dam's bottom.
You heard correctly; there's another brilliant GT40 replica available for you to dote upon and one day have for yourself. Backdraft Racing introduces the Backdraft GT Mk I. Like the company's racy roadster worldwide distribution car, the BDR GT is available in turnkey-minus form only. Simply select your color and whether you'd like a front diffuser, sideview mirrors, and racing harnesses, and put in your order for the BDR GT. Then you can figure out whether you'd like to tackle the task of installing the engine and transaxle, or have Backdraft or an authorized Backdraft dealer perform the professional installation. The BDR GT turnkey minus is built at the Auto Futura CAV GT Classics manufacturing facility in South Africa. Rather than reinvent the four-time-winning Le Mans replica from the blueprints up, Backdraft Racing sourced the GT from another leading replica manufacturer. Backdraft specified what a Backdraft GT turnkey minus car would be with Auto Futura, and now makes the BDR GT available for the world market, as it does with BDR's aforementioned hot-selling roadster.
The Backdraft GT made its world premiere at a fitting venue, the 2008 London Cobra Show. As soon as KIT CAR laid eyes on the first of its kind, a Salsa Red stunner with the roundel filled #4 on its body panels, we knew that Backdraft Racing had another winner on its hands. Reg Dodd, Backdraft's U.S. Manager of Operations, permitted KC full access to the vehicle for an extensive photo shoot and ride-along. The cockpit looks like an original GT40 cabin, but the materials used and the fit and finish in the interior are superior to anything that Ford Racing wrought in the 1960s. Mind you, these BDR GTs are built as much to be boulevard supercars as they are racetrack warriors. The GT40s of yore were all built to win races, not to tool around the highways and byways of the world in comfort, superlative style, and speed.
In our too short time spent getting to know the Backdraft GT, we marveled at how well we fit in the driver and passenger seat, how solid the car felt at boulevard speed, and how great it would be to have a BDR GT of our own. Based upon this first acquaintance and cover shoot, there will likely be many more of these beauties on the world's highways and byways. Who knows, KIT CAR might even be photographing and featuring your BDR GT at an upcoming replicar event sometime soon.
This first BDR GT required...
This first BDR GT required a special powerplant, so Backdraft installed a Roush 353IR, which has stack electronic fuel injection and makes 480 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The answer is yes; this BDR is even faster than it looks.
With VDO instruments and Lucas...
With VDO instruments and Lucas electrical switches, the dash layout replicates the original Ford GT40's, although the dashpad is more sumptuous, as you'd expect from a road-going, track-terrorizing supercar.
From this view one can easily...
From this view one can easily appreciate why the doors were called clamshells. Notice also the Gurney Bubble, which was put in the roof of the original GT40s to accommodate the helmet-clad head of 6 foot 2-inch Dan Gurney.
Beneath the front hatch dual...
Beneath the front hatch dual horns, a dual brake master cylinder, the rack-and-pinion steering system, dual electric fans, aluminum radiator, and supremely well-constructed front portion of the chassis can be inspected. There's also a very modest amount of room for stowing soft luggage in case a weekend road trip is desired.
Beneath the splendid BDR GT...
Beneath the splendid BDR GT Mk I rear bonnet is a Roush 353IR mill mated to an Audi Getrag six-speed transaxle.
The BDR GT is TIG-welded in...
The BDR GT is TIG-welded in frame jigs to assure dimensional accuracy. Comprised of a stainless steel monocoque chassis, it's designed for torsional stiffness. Its integrity is ensured through CNC punched and bent panels and laser-cut parts (photo supplied by Backdraft Racing).
Kudos to Backdraft Racing...
Kudos to Backdraft Racing for specifying comfortable leather seats that also have a superior look, substance, and feel compared to the racing GT40s of the 1960s. The seats are fully adjustable fore and aft, as is the pedal box for tall drivers. They're the most comfortable GT40 seats we've ever had the pleasure to experience at boulevard speed.