The Ford GT40 was created due to bitter rivalry between Ford and Ferrari but turned out to be a complete classic

The Ford GT40 was created as a result of failed negotiations between Ford and Ferrari.

It’s a well-known story at this point, mainly because it created one of the most iconic classics ever built.

But certain details still remain unclear.

It’s also a giant case of ‘what if’.

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How the Ford GT40 came to be

In the 1960s, Ferrari was in trouble and began actively looking for buyers.

Ford and Ferrari negotiated, more or less successfully, for months, but the deal went south when Enzo Ferrari explained there was no way he’d ever give up control of the Italian manufacturer’s racing branch.

Enzo’s last-minute rejection angered and infuriated Henry Ford II, who told his engineer – in no unclear terms – they had to build a car to beat Ferrari at Le Mans.

Money no object, kitchen sink, and every other equivalent expression you can think of.

And, it worked.

The American automaker created the GT40, a small – only 40 inches tall, hence the name – but powerful sports car that beat Ferrari at Le Mans four times between 1966 and 1969.

We’ll never know what would’ve happened if Ferrari and Ford had actually merged, but we’re certainly very happy the GT40 exists.

Today, the GT40 has become a bit of a grail among collectors.

Finding one in good condition is not easy, and definitely not cheap.

The GT40 spawned two successors

The Ford GT40 spawned two modern-day successors that were equally successful, albeit probably not as iconic.

In the early 2000s, Ford unveiled the new GT, which looked a lot like the older model but was a tiny bit less extreme.

And taller, which is good news to tall high-profile owners who bought one, like Jeremy Clarkson.

The engine was a 5.4-liter supercharged V8, putting out 550hp and giving the car a top speed of 330km/h (205mph).

More than 10 years later, the manufacturer unveiled the GT, and this time it was much bigger and more powerful – 660hp – despite using a smaller 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Both cars are expensive and hard to get.

And both came with a no-resale clause that Ford took quite seriously.

Something John Cena had to find out the hard way.