Why Car And Driver Hated The Now Legendary (And Valuable) Ford GT40 Mk III

Why It Matters

The review underscores how early supercar homologation challenges can tarnish a model’s reputation, yet the GT40 Mk III’s rarity and performance have turned it into a coveted collector’s asset, influencing how manufacturers balance race pedigree with road usability.

Key Takeaways

• Car & Driver criticized the Mk III’s interior fit and finish.
• ZF 5‑speed transmission felt clunky despite strong gear ratios.
• 306‑hp V8 achieved 0‑60 in 5.1 seconds.
• Only seven Mk III units built; three sold to private owners.
• Today examples command multi‑million dollar prices at auction.

Pulse Analysis

The Ford GT40 Mk III emerged from a historic racing program that famously dethroned Ferrari at Le Mans in the mid‑1960s. When Ford decided to monetize its victory, it tasked J.W. Automotive Engineering with converting the pure‑bred race car into a road‑legal grand tourer. The result was a heavily modified machine that retained the 289‑cubic‑inch V8 and ZF five‑speed gearbox but added street‑required components such as sealed‑beam headlights, a luggage compartment, and a revised dash. Car and Driver’s 1967 road test zeroed in on the compromises, lambasting the shoddy interior, a horn that delivered a literal shock, and a transmission linkage that felt more like a prank than a performance asset.

Despite the scathing prose, the review also highlighted the Mk III’s undeniable strengths. The 306‑horsepower engine propelled the car from 0‑60 mph in just over five seconds, a figure that rivaled contemporary European exotics. More importantly, the chassis and suspension, borrowed directly from the race version, delivered razor‑sharp steering response and composure at speeds exceeding 120 mph. While the disc brakes showed some directional instability, the overall handling package earned top marks, confirming that the GT40’s racing DNA remained intact even after the street‑legal compromises.

Only seven Mk III examples were ever built, making the model one of the automotive world’s rarest gems. Its scarcity, combined with the mythos of the GT40 lineage, has propelled auction values into the multi‑million‑dollar range, turning a once‑criticized road car into a benchmark for collector desirability. The Mk III’s story serves as a cautionary tale for manufacturers: translating race‑track triumphs to the street requires meticulous engineering, yet the allure of a legendary badge can ultimately outweigh early flaws in the eyes of enthusiasts and investors alike.