Ford GT Concept
A reimagining of an American racing icon using an alternative propulsion source. The Ford GT concept was inspired by its original predecessor from 1966 but powered by a liquid nitrogen turbine engine. As the nitrogen reaches room temperature it expands 700 times its volume, powering the turbine. The fin like design that flows through the vehicle allows the movement of air to maintain a cooler temperature of the liquid nitrogen that is needed while being driven.
Project Duration: Spring 2013 (15 Weeks)
What does it mean to be an icon?
To break to mold and challenge the status quo.
A Racing Icon Is Born
In 1963 Ford heard of rumors that Ferrari was up for sale and wanting to get back into racing Henry Ford II was ecstatic and wanted to acquire the Italian brand. During negotiations Enzo Ferrari decided he did not want to sell Ferrari after all. Angered by what had happened, Henry Ford II set out to destroy Ferrari where it was king, the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Ford set up a new racing division with the sole purpose of beating Ferrari, no matter the cost. Ford engineers and designers developed a car that resembled nothing ever dreamed up before. A car just 156in long and no taller than a kitchen counter (40in). Thus the car was named the Ford GT40. Unfortunately when the car was entered in the 1964 Le Mans the car failed to finish. After the poor finish Henry Ford II decided to appoint Carroll Shelby as the racing program manager.
In 1966 with the experience gained from the previous two years Shelby outfitted the cars with larger 7 liter engines. The larger engines were under less stress and would last the whole race. That year Ford won Le Mans with a 1-2-3 Finish. Ford would go on to win the next 3 Le Mans races, cementing themselves in racing history.
Inspiration
Exploration
