In the early 1960’s, the Detroit-based Ford company shook off its entrenched, staid approach to car design and embraced a new policy under the Total Performance banner. As part of this strategy, the company decided that it must win the Le Mans 24 Hours race. The outcome was the Lola-derived, Anglo – American GT40 which gave Ford four victories in a row at the Sarthe circuit between 1966 and 1969. For a handful of lucky owners this successful sports racer was available in road going form and, between 1966 and 1968, a tantalizingly small number of cars were produced.
At Le Mans in 1966, there was a clean sweep with Ford taking the first three places. It was the company’s first ever victory at the circuit. Meanwhile Ford Advanced Vehicles was undertaking the manufacture of a road going version of the GT40 which was designated the Mark III. Announced in December 1965, it sold for (libras) 6647.
