Racemasters Ford GT40 MkIV #2 HO Slot Racing Cars

The Ford GT40 MKIV was no ordinary racing car. It was specifically and meticulously designed to excel in endurance racing and to win. Unlike its predecessors, the MKI-III cars, which were built in Europe, the MKIV was constructed in the United States by a company called Kar Kraft. They built an all-new J-series chassis and a newly designed long, streamlined bodywork, making the MKIV the most radical and American variant of all the GT40s.

Several key modifications were made to the MKIV. A NASCAR-style, steel-tube roll cage was added as a direct result of the tragic and ultimately fatal accident of beloved racer Ken Miles. Although significantly safer, this roll cage added considerable weight to the car. Furthermore, the car's driver, Dan Gurney, who was 6'4" tall, was too tall to fit in the standard GT40. The team, therefore, built the car's body around Gurney, lowering the position of the driver's seat and creating a "bubble" shaped piece for the roof, which became known as the "Gurney Bubble" and was applied to all MKIVs.

This particular MKIV, known as the red MKIV #1, was built on the J5 chassis. Despite being driven by the skilled duo of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, it was initially written off as the least likely to win. Gurney often complained about the car's weight, which was a massive 600 pounds heavier than their archrival, the Ferrari 330 P4.

During practice at Le Mans in 1967, Gurney developed a strategy to preserve the brakes, which were highly stressed under the additional weight of the car. He would back completely off the throttle several hundred yards before the approach to the Mulsanne hairpin, a well-known high-crash zone, and virtually coast into the braking area. This technique, also adopted by his co-driver A.J. Foyt, saved the brakes but increased the car's recorded lap times.

The MKIV was a truly remarkable and innovative design, with each element carefully crafted to give it the best chance of success. Its American-built chassis, streamlined bodywork, and unique driver accommodations set it apart from the rest of the GT40 lineup. Despite the initial doubts and the car's significant weight disadvantage, the red MKIV #1 was destined to achieve a remarkable victory, proving that the Ford team's meticulous planning and design had paid off.

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