First time all variations of the racing Ford GT have appeared together!

Simeone Museum Event To Explore Development of the Ford GT

The birth and evolution of the Ford GT – the iconic car that won Le Mans four times in the 1960s – will be explored at an event at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia on June 4th. The “Birth and Evolution of the Ford GT” will have on display, for the very first time at the same place, all the racing variations of the Ford GT: Mk I, Mk II, and Mk IV, as well as a Lola Mk 6, the car many believe was the inspiration for the Ford GT.

The origins and development of the Ford GT will be discussed in a program that will feature three noted authorities on the marque: former driver for Shelby American and owner of the Lola, Allen Grant; author of Ford Racing Century and builder of the Kar-Kraft continuation Mk IVs, Mike Teske; and the author of the most comprehensive history of endurance racing, Time and Two Seats, Janos Wimpffen. Historian/photographer Harry Hurst will moderate.

After the discussion, several cars in the display will be taken out for demonstration runs on the Museum’s back lot.

The event begins at noon and is included with regular museum admission. In addition to the cars above, the display will also include a 2005 and 2019 Ford GT, both cars designed and developed with the original cars as inspiration. The cars will remain on display at the museum until June 12th.

The Ford GT-40 Mk I (chassis #1030) that will be displayed is owned by Benjamin Levy. The Lola Mk 6 (#LGT.P) is owned by Allen Grant. The Ford GT Mk II (#XGT1) and Mk IV (#J-8) are both part of the permanent collection at the Simeone Museum. A street model of the Ford GT-40, the Mk III, was made in very small numbers but was not intended for racing.

During the discussion, participants will use the cars on display to illustrate design details that are important in the evolution of the car. Video will be projected on the large screen above the stage so attendees can see it close up.

The event is scheduled to be streamed live on Facebook.

That link will be announced in the near future.

Featuring the following variations of the racing Ford GT

* Lola Mk 6 (#LGT.P)

* Ford GT-40 Mk I (chassis #1030)

* Ford GT Mk II (#XGT1)

* Ford GT Mk IV (#J-8)