The original GT project and cars were spearheaded by then-company Chairman and CEO Henry Ford II. His goal was no less than to change racing history. With these cars, generally referred to as GT40s because of the roof height of 40 inches from the ground, Ford won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years in a row - 1966 through 1969. Over its racing history, the Ford GT family won all of the world's major endurance races, and brought World Sports Car Championships to Ford in 1966 and '67, and the World Manufacturers' Championship in 1966 and '68.

While the GT and its historic predecessor share an almost identical silhouette, every dimension, curve and line of the new car is a unique reinterpretation of the original. The new car is more than 18 inches longer and stands nearly 4 inches taller. Powered by Ford's MOD 5.4-liter supercharged V8 mounted amidships, the car offers the impressive combination of 500 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. The power is put to the road through a Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle featuring a helical limited-slip differential.

As on the historic race car, the Ford GT aluminum body panels are unstressed. Instead of the steel or honeycomb-composite tubs used in the 1960s, the Ford GT team developed an all-new aluminum space frame as the foundation. The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres.

In the tradition of original Ford GT racers, the doors are cut into the roof. The rear wheel arches, filled with 19-inch wheels and tyres, define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car's profile at the integrated "ducktail" spoiler.

The interior design incorporates the novel "ventilated seats" and instrument layout of the original car, with straightforward analogue gauges and a large tachometer. Modern versions of the original car's toggle switches operate key systems.