In a very rare show of peak exclusivity, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has a great surprise planned when it rolls around August 21. The owners of every single international race-winning Ford GT40 will display their cars on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the GT40’s historic Le Mans 1-2-3 finish – probably the key reason as to why such a special reunion is being planned in the first place.
“We’re honored – and thrilled – to be able to unite all of these historic champions,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “This is an unprecedented gathering – one that has excited every member of our Selection Committee and one that promises to make history in its own right.”
Now, with all that being said, perhaps you’d be interested in getting your hands on a model yourself? Well, that might be a problem given that Ford’s all-new GT – despite the $400,000 price tag – has already sold out until 2019. Original GT40s are, of course, going to command multi-million dollar fees – and that’s of course if and only if the owners are actually going to place those beauties up for sale.
Still, there are a number of alternatives. Shelby American, for one, has a continuation car based on the GT40 Mk II. It goes for $169,995 but it is so close to the original that more than 2/3 of the parts are interchangeable. For roughly the same outlay, but for a completed car in return, South Africa-based Hi-Tech Automotive builds a Superformance replica Mk I or Mk II for $150,000 (before taxes) – and this also has about 2/3 of the parts interchangeable.
“Interest in the GT40 has grown steadily since the model’s 50th anniversary celebration [in 2014],” said Nigel Hulme, MD of Le Mans Coupes, the official UK dealer for the Superformance replica. Ever since they knocked Ferrari off its perch back at the Le Mans 50 years ago, Ford is still going strong in the performance car market.
Images courtesy of Kimball Studios (For Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance)
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