The Mk IV’s origins trace back to the Ford "J-car," a project plagued by setbacks during its development. Tragically, Ken Miles, one of Ford’s key test drivers, lost his life while testing a J-car prototype at Riverside International Raceway in August 1966. Despite these challenges, the Mk IV emerged as a powerful competitor.
Unlike earlier GT40s built in Britain, the Mk IV was entirely designed and built in the United States by Ford’s Kar Kraft division in Detroit, employing advanced engineering techniques such as a space-age honeycomb aluminum chassis for superior rigidity and lightness. Under the hood, the Mk IV housed a formidable 427 cubic inch (7-liter) Ford V8 engine producing approximately 550 horsepower.
The Mk IV’s racing career was brief but spectacular. It competed in only two major events in 1967: the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After the Sebring victory by McLaren and Andretti, the Mk IV’s crowning achievement came at the 1967 Le Mans, where Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt took the checkered flag in what remains the only all-American victory in the history of this prestigious race. The victory was a testament to the engineering prowess of the Mk IV and marked a pinnacle for Ford’s endurance racing efforts.
Following these two historic wins, the Ford Mk IV never raced again, retiring as one of the most successful yet short-lived race cars in motorsport history.