Emulate Bruce McLaren with Shelby’s latest continuation Ford GT40

If you don’t have the wherewithal to obtain the real deal, Shelby American’s ‘continuation’ 50th Anniversary GT40 MKII – built in collaboration with Superformance and Safir GT40 – is almost certainly the next best thing…

'Exact replicas'

Fifty years after the Ford GT40 scored that historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans, Shelby American has revealed that it will build 20 GT40 MKII continuation cars in tribute. They are ‘exact replicas’ built from the blueprints of the original, with which over 90% of the continuation car’s parts are interchangeable. However, certain mechanicals have been updated in the name of safety, and creature comforts added to encourage owners to use the cars as intended. 

A tantalising package

Available in Bruce McLaren (black with silver stripes), Ken Miles (blue with white stripes) and Dan Gurney (red with white stripes) editions, the 50th Anniversary GT40 MKIIs are sold either with or without an engine – Shelby recommends one of its specially prepared 427 SE V8s. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this package is the price. Opt for the engine, and you’ll pay somewhere in the region of 220,000 US dollars. Fittingly, four of Ford’s new GTs will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, 50 years after its hallowed forebear scored that momentous victory. 

Photos: Shelby American/Superformance