The New Era of Ford Performance
As the automotive world pivots toward an electrified, software-defined future, Ford Motor Company has made a resounding commitment to its heritage, signaling a bold return to the hallowed grounds of the Circuit de la Sarthe. At the start of last year, the Dearborn-based automaker announced that it would once again target the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ultimate proving ground for endurance racing. With plans to campaign a new Hypercar-class LMDh racer during the 2027 World Endurance Championship, Ford is looking to reclaim the dominance that defined its mid-century legacy.
“We are entering a new era of performance and racing at Ford,” noted executive chair Bill Ford during the initial announcement. “And there is no track or race that means more to our history than Le Mans. It’s where we took on Ferrari and won in the 1960s.”
This pursuit of glory is not merely a marketing exercise; it is an acknowledgment that the DNA of the Ford brand was fundamentally altered by the events of 1966. While Hollywood dramatized this legendary struggle in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari, the true scope of that season—a campaign that saw the GT40 MKII crush the competition across the globe—remains a subject of intense reverence among enthusiasts. Now, sixty years later, that legacy is being revived in the form of a limited-edition tribute from Superformance: the Championship Season Series.
A Chronology of Domination
To understand the significance of the Superformance Championship Season Series, one must look back at the 1966 endurance calendar. Before that year, American manufacturers were largely viewed as secondary players in the world of long-distance sports-car racing. European marques, particularly Ferrari, held a stranglehold on the podiums of France and Italy.
The 1966 season shattered this paradigm. It began with a commanding performance at the 24 Hours of Daytona in February, followed by another triumphant showing at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. However, the crescendo occurred on June 19, 1966, at Le Mans. In a display of tactical brilliance and engineering fortitude, Ford secured a 1-2-3 finish. The iconic image of the three GT40s crossing the line in formation remains one of the most powerful photographs in the history of motorsport.
This "triple crown" of endurance racing effectively established the United States as a global leader in high-performance automotive engineering. The Superformance Championship Season Series is a direct, tangible homage to these three pivotal races, allowing collectors to own a piece of the machinery that fundamentally altered the trajectory of automotive history.
Engineering the Time Capsule: Supporting Data
The Championship Season Series, limited to just 66 units, is far from a standard "kit car" or superficial replica. Superformance has collaborated closely with Safir Engineering, the Cincinnati-based rights holder to the GT40 trademark and the official technical support service for original GT40 owners. This partnership ensures that these vehicles carry the weight of legitimacy.
Each rolling chassis is built to be as close to the original 1960s specifications as modern safety and material technology allow. According to Superformance, over two-thirds of the components in these chassis are interchangeable with original 1960s-built GT40s. The foundation consists of a steel monocoque frame, a pressed steel roof, and composite-resin body panels, mimicking the exact weight distribution and structural integrity of the cars that scorched the Mulsanne Straight in 1966.
The technical specifications read like a love letter to the golden age of racing:
- Chassis: Steel monocoque with period-correct geometry.
- Suspension: Independent setup featuring adjustable anti-roll bars and Bilstein shocks for modern reliability.
- Braking: Vented disc brakes tailored for the demands of high-speed endurance.
- Wheels: Authentic 15-inch Halibrand-style rims that maintain the visual profile of the originals.
- Fueling: Dual 10-gallon tanks, a necessary nod to the original’s long-distance requirements.
For the powertrain, Superformance offers a range of configurations, including the iconic Ford 427 FE engine. Clients can also opt for Shelby iron- or aluminum-block engines, which come engraved with the vehicle’s specific serial number to ensure provenance. By linking the VIN directly to the engine block, Superformance provides a level of documentation that satisfies even the most fastidious collectors, ensuring these cars will be recognized as legitimate "matching-numbers" vehicles in the global registry.
Official Perspectives on the Project
Lance Stander, CEO of Superformance, views this series as an act of preservation. “Though American drivers and race cars won a few competitions over the years, no American automaker had ever won a major sports-car endurance race overall or a world championship before the historic 1966 season,” Stander tells Robb Report.
“The dominance by GT40s changed the perception of both American cars and racing teams. That watershed 1-2-3 finish by GT40 sports cars at Le Mans in France on June 19 was memorialized in photos that still resonate with enthusiasts worldwide. And that photo was the inspiration for this very special series of cars,” he adds.
Stander emphasizes that the goal is not just to build a fast car, but to facilitate a unique form of "role play." By offering eight different period-correct liveries—representing the exact aesthetic of the cars piloted by racing legends like Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, Mario Andretti, and Dan Gurney—the company allows owners to step into the boots of their heroes. Each car includes official documentation, such as letters from the heads of Shelby American or Alan Mann Racing, which solidifies the emotional and historical connection between the owner and the specific team livery they select.
The Implications for Collectors and the Market
The launch of this series carries significant implications for the collector car market. By producing only 66 units, Superformance is ensuring scarcity, a key driver of value for high-end automotive tributes. Furthermore, by embedding these cars within the official GT40 registry, the series bridges the gap between historical artifacts and modern-day driving experiences.
For the enthusiast, this represents a unique intersection of history and utility. While an original 1966 GT40 MKII is a multi-million-dollar asset that rarely leaves a climate-controlled garage, the Superformance series is designed to be driven. At a starting price of $295,000, it offers a "dynamic museum piece"—a car that can hold its own on a track day while serving as a centerpiece for any significant collection.
A Legacy Refined
As Ford prepares for its 2027 assault on Le Mans, the presence of these Superformance tributes serves as a powerful reminder of the benchmark the manufacturer set sixty years ago. The Championship Season Series is more than a car; it is a manifestation of a specific, fleeting moment when American engineering, audacity, and pure mechanical power conquered the world.
Whether it is the livery of the Ken Miles/Denny Hulme car or the distinct aesthetic of the Alan Mann Racing entries, each of the 66 examples acts as a time capsule. By blending the analog soul of the 1960s with the build quality and provenance required for 21st-century ownership, Superformance has created a legacy project that honors the past while inspiring the next generation of racers. For the collector, it is not merely a purchase; it is an opportunity to keep the spirit of 1966 alive, one lap at a time.
Iffa Jayyana
Nila Kartika Wati
Neng Nana
