Discover the Vehicles | Supercars of the 1960s
1967 FORD
GT40 MK III
HORSEPOWER: 360
TOP SPEED: 165 mph
ENGINE: 4.7-liter V-8
NUMBER BUILT: 7 (total Mark IIIs)
PRODUCTION YEARS: 1967-1969
The model designation of the fearsome GT40 was derived, in part, from the car’s low height, which was a mere 40 inches from ground to roof. A mildly civilized version of its Le Mans-winning stablemates, the Mark III differed from earlier versions in that it had round rather than oblong headlights, an extended rear deck with room for luggage, a less rigid suspension, and a more comfortable interior. This rare street-legal example (serial #MK3 1105) was originally owned by well-known Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan, who drove it sparingly. Of the seven Ford GT40 Mark IIIs built, four were delivered with left-hand drive like this car.
COLLECTION OF THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM
The 1967 GT40 Mk III was the purpose-built, street-legal version of Ford's LeMans-winning GT40 race car.
Courtesy of Ford
1967 AC/SHELBY
COBRA 427
HORSEPOWER: 360
TOP SPEED: 160 mph
ENGINE: 7.0-liter V-8
NUMBER BUILT: 260
PRODUCTION YEARS: 1965-1967
Introduced in 1962, the AC-Shelby Cobra was a British-American sports car constructed by legendary driver Carroll Shelby. By installing American Ford V-8 engines into British AC Ace roadsters, Shelby created what would become the fastest American automobiles of their time. The most potent version of the Cobra was powered by a thundering 427-cubic inch engine that was so large it required that the body be both lengthened and widened to fit. “Competition” and “Semi-Competition” packages with handling and mechanical upgrades were available to buyers who planned to race their vehicles.
COURTESY OF TOMY AND LACY DRISSI
Drivers Karl Kling and Hans In addition to constructing street versions of the Cobra, Shelby American prepared racing versions for 12-hour and 24-hour endurance races held as part of the International Championship for GT Manufacturers series.
Courtesy of Shelby American Ind.
