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| Ford GT | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 2018 Ford GT with a 1968Ford GT40 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 2004–2006 2016–2022 |
| Model years | 2005–2006 2017–2022 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford GT40 |
TheFord GT is amid-engine two-seatersports car manufactured and marketed by American automobile manufacturerFord for the 2005 model year in conjunction with the company's 2003 centenary. The second generation Ford GT became available for the 2017 model year.[1]
The GT recalls Ford's historically significantGT40, a consecutive four-time winner of the24 Hours of Le Mans (1966–1969), including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | June 2004 – September 2006 4,038 produced |
| Model years | 2005–2006 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Camilo Pardo underJ Mays |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | |
| Related | Galpin Ford GTR1 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.4 L (329.5 cu in)superchargedFord Modular V8 |
| Transmission | 6-speedRicardoM7003GTmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in (2,710 mm) |
| Length | 182.8 in (4,640 mm) |
| Width | 76.9 in (1,950 mm) |
| Height | 44.3 in (1,125 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,485 lb (1,581 kg)[2] |
The Ford GT began life as aconcept car designed in anticipation of the automaker's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such asMustang andThunderbird. At the2002 North American International Auto Show,[3] Ford unveiled a newGT40 Concept car. Camilo Pardo, the then head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance ofJ Mays.Carroll Shelby, the original designer of theShelby GT 500, was brought in by Ford to help develop the GT; which included performance testing of the prototype car. While under development, the project was calledPetunia.
The GT is similar in outward appearance to the original GT40, but is bigger, wider, and most importantly 4 in (100 mm) taller than the original's 40 in (100 cm) overall height; as a result, a potential name for the car was the GT44.[citation needed] Although the cars are visually related, structurally, there is no similarity between the modern GT and the 1960s GT40 that inspired it. After six weeks from the unveiling of the GT40 concept, Ford announced a limited production run of the car. Three pre-production cars were shown to the public in 2003 as part of Ford's centenary celebrations, and delivery of the production version called simply the Ford GT began in the fall of 2004.
As the Ford GT was built as part of the company's 100th anniversary celebration, the left headlight cluster was designed to read "100".[4]
A British company,Safir Engineering, who built continuation GT40 cars in the 1980s, owned the "GT40" trademark at that time. When production of the continuation cars ended, they sold the excess parts, tooling, design, and trademark to a smallOhio based company called Safir GT40 Spares. This company licensed the use of the "GT40" trademark to Ford for the initial 2002 show car. When Ford decided to put the GT40 concept to production stage, negotiations between the two firms failed as Ford did not pay the US$40 million the owners of the name demanded. Thus, the production cars are simply called the GT.[5][6]
The GT was produced for the 2005 and 2006 model years. The car began assembly at Mayflower Vehicle Systems (MVS) inNorwalk, Ohio and was painted and continued assembly atSaleen Special Vehicles (SSV) facility inTroy, Michigan, through contract by Ford. The GT is powered by an engine built at Ford's Romeo Engine Plant inRomeo, Michigan. Installation of the engine andtransmission along with seats and interior finishing was handled in theSVT building at Ford'sWixom, Michigan plant.[7]
Of the 4,500 cars originally planned, approximately 100 were to be exported to Europe, starting in late 2005. An additional 200 cars were destined for sale in Canada. Production ended in September 2006 without reaching the planned production target. Approximately 550 cars were built in 2004, nearly 1,900 in 2005, and just over 1,600 in 2006, for a total of 4,038 cars. The final 11 car bodies manufactured by Mayflower Vehicle Systems were disassembled, and the frames and body panels were sold as service parts. TheWixom Assembly Plant has stopped production of all models as of May 31, 2007.[8] Sales of the GT continued into 2007, from cars held in storage and in dealer inventories.
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Ford produced a total of 346 Heritage editions, recognizable by the Gulf Oil-inspired livery.[9] The livery is in honor of the back to back wins of Ford at the1968 and1969 24 Hours of Le Mans by the GT40 Mk I.
| Year | Reported US Sales | Production | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | ||
| 2005 | 7 | 4 | 44 | 70 | 117 | 150 | 91 | 113 | 176 | 165 | 157 | 208 | 1,302 | 2,027 |
| 2006 | 157 | 194 | 204 | 157 | 178 | 185 | 147 | 143 | 133 | 102 | 261 | 58 | 1,919 | 2,011 |
| Grand Total | 3,221 | 4,038 | ||||||||||||
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When the Ford GT was first announced, the demand outpaced supply, and the cars initially sold for premium prices. The first private sale of Ford's new mid-engine sports car was completed on August 4, 2004, when formerMicrosoft executiveJon Shirley took delivery of his Midnight Blue 2005 Ford GT.[10] Shirley earned the right to purchase the first production Ford GT (chassis #10) at a charity auction at the Pebble BeachConcours d'Elegance Auction after bidding over US$557,000.[11]
A few other early cars sold for as much as a US$100,000 premium over the suggested retail price of US$139,995.[12] Optional equipment available included aMcIntosh sound system, racing stripes, painted brake calipers, andBBS forged alloy wheels adding US$13,500 to the MSRP.[13]
The Ford GT features many technologies unique at its time including asuperplastic-formed frame, aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, afriction stir welded center tunnel, covered by a magnesium center console, a "ship-in-a-bottle" gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece panels, and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piececarbon fiber inner panel.
Brakes are four-piston aluminumBrembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible.
The 5.4 Llongitudinalrear mountedModular V8 engine is an all-aluminum alloy engine with anEaton 2300Lysholm screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the car. Adry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit low in the car's frame. TheDOHC4 valves per cylinder heads are a revision of the2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads (with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port). Thecamshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500. Power output is 550 hp (410 kW; 558 PS) at 6,500 rpm and 500 lb⋅ft (678 N⋅m) of torque at 4,500 rpm.[14] ARicardo 6-speedmanual transmission is fitted featuring a helicallimited-slip differential.Car and Driver tested the GT in January 2004 and recorded a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.3 seconds.
Performance:
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TheUnited States Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimate for the GT is 12 mpg‑US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg‑imp) in city driving, and 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) in highway cruising, for a combined 14 mpg‑US (17 L/100 km; 17 mpg‑imp).[15]
Modified versions of the Ford GT have established several speed records, including the standing mile. One modified version broke the record for fastest street legal vehicle (the vehicle used in the record run is street legal and registered for road use in the U.S.A)[16] achieved by a highly modified twin turbo version of the original 5.4-liter V8 rated at approximately 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) with a top speed of 310.8 mph (500.2 km/h) at Space Florida launch and landing facility.[16]
The Ford GTX1 is an aftermarket roadster iteration of the Ford GT introduced by the company at the 2005SEMA Show. The car was built by Mark Gerisch, owner of Genaddi Design Group from Green Bay, Wisconsin with assistance from Ford. Kip Ewing, a development engineer who had been involved in the development of the GT and conceived the idea, supervised the project. The resulting chassis is ten percent less stiff than the standard GT.
The design was inspired by the open top GT40 which was conceived in the 1960s. The car had a modified engine cover, modified doors (with roof portions removed) and a central removable roof bar. Two roof pieces could be installed and removed when the roof bar was installed making the car a T-top, a canvas roof panel would be installed when the roof bar was removed. The car had headrests inspired from thePorsche Carrera GT.
The car received a positive response at the show and customers urged Ford to build this version of the GT but the end of the production of the GT in the forthcoming year meant that it would be expensive to produce another limited variant of the car. The GTX1 was offered as a kit by the body shop adding US$38,000 to the price of a standard Ford GT. The involvement of Ford in the process meant that the warranty and other obligations on the car were unaltered.[17]
A total of 100 orders for the GTX1 were received and completed over a two-year planned production period, these including the exact copies of the SEMA show car. Other modifications on the GTX1 included race seats, a customized interior, new Wilwood brakes, a hidden rear bumper and a maximum power increase to 700 hp (522 kW; 710 PS). The GTX1 was featured in various automotive publications along with several reviews.[18]
A specialistSony Xplod audio system was fitted to the GTX1.[19]
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 The 2018 Ford GT on display at the2018 Chicago Auto Show | |
| Overview | |
| Production | December 2016 – December 2022 (1,350 units planned)[20] |
| Model years | 2017–2022 |
| Assembly | Canada:Markham,Ontario (Multimatic)[21] |
| Designer | Chris Svensson[22] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Doors | Butterfly |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5 Ltwin-turbochargedFord EcoBoost V6 |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | 7-speedGetrag 7DCL750 (PowerShift)dual-clutch |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in (2,710 mm) |
| Length | 187.5 in (4,762 mm) |
| Width | 78.9 in (2,004 mm) |
| Height | 43.7 in (1,110 mm) |
| Curb weight |
|
At the2015 North American International Auto Show and at the unveiling of the 2015 racing video gameForza Motorsport 6, the second-generation Ford GT was shown to the public with plans for production in 2016, after a decade-old hiatus from the first generation. The car marked 50 years since the GT40 won the1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed successfully in the2016 24 Hours of Le Mans to better celebrate the anniversary, winning the LM GTE-Pro class, taking 1st and 3rd in class.
The development of the second generation GT at Ford was a very secretive operation–according to design directorChris Svensson, "a handful of twelve people, including some key engineers, had access to the [design studio]".[24] This secrecy was maintained inside Ford and to the press until its 2015 unveiling at the North American Auto Show.
The design of the new GT began with its aerodynamics package, which was closely related to the ultimate focus of the design team of creating a successfulLe Mans race car.[24] Low drag and aerodynamic efficiency were of primary importance in the development of the exterior of the car, and this drove designers to pursue a 'teardrop profile' as often seen inLMP1 cars. The powertrain of the new GT, therefore, became a secondary criterion to the external design and aerodynamic performance of the car. Although a V8 and even a V12 engine were both considered, it was ultimately decided to use Ford'sEcoBoost V6 engine due to the degree of freedom that the compact engine gave designers.[25]
The intent behind the design was for the overall look of the second generation GT to be recognizable as a part of the GT line, which meant, for example, a cut back front nose piece, circular tail lights, and raised twin exhaust pipes.[24] There was no explicit requirement for luxury or practicality in the design of the road car, which is the reason behind the car's negligible cargo space and spartan interior. The interior seating position was fixed to provide additional space for the bodywork and teardrop exterior shape.
Like its predecessor, the new Ford GT is only offered as a 2-door coupe with themid-rear layout, for the purpose of improved stability by keeping the center of gravity near the middle. The new GT's weight distribution is 43% front and 57% rear.[26] Unlike the first generation car, the new GT hasbutterfly doors that no longer include a piece integrated into the roof.
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The car is powered by a 3,496 cc (3.5 L; 213.3 cu in)twin-turbochargedFord EcoBoost V6 engine rated at 647 hp (482 kW; 656 PS) and 550 lb⋅ft (746 N⋅m) of torque.[27] For the 2020 model year and beyond, this power output rating was increased to 660 hp (492 kW; 669 PS).[28] The engine shares many components with theF-150's 3.5 L V6 engine including the cylinder heads, block and dual fuel system. Notable differences include larger turbochargers, an aluminum intake manifold, a custom dry sump lubrication system, unique camshafts and higher strength rotating and timing drive components.
The engine is paired to aGetrag7DCL750 7-speeddual-clutch transmission.
Underpinning the new GT is a carbon fibermonocoque bolted to aluminum front and rearsubframes covered in carbon fiber body panels.[29] The windshield of the vehicle is made ofGorilla Glass manufactured byCorning, which is also used for manufacturing smartphone screens.[30] The Gorilla Glass is used to reduce the weight of the vehicle by allowing for a thinner windscreen with the same strength as a normal glass windscreen.[31] The GT employs a four-stage external dry sump oil pump and has an oil capacity of 15.3 US quarts (14.5 L).[32]
The new GT uses apushrod suspension system, which move the primary components of the suspension inboard and provide space for the large aerodynamic elements in the bodywork of the car.[33] The suspension is hydraulically adjustable, and the ride height can drop from 4.7 inches (120 mm) in comfort mode to 2.8 inches (70 mm) in Track or Vmax modes.[33] These drive modes also dynamically adjust the dampening component of the suspension, which consists of two springs stacked in series. In Track and Vmax modes, one of these springs is completely locked to increase the overallspring rate of the system. The car also has a front-axle lifting system for clearing road obstacles and steep entry angles.
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The new GT is the second Ford vehicle to feature optional carbon fiber wheels, after theShelby Mustang GT350R. In addition to improved strength and rigidity, these wheels weigh 2 lb (1 kg) less than their forged aluminum counterparts.[34] The wheels have a diameter of 20 inches at the front and rear, and come equipped withMichelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires with codes of 245/35 R 20 for the front and 325/30 R 20 for the rear.[35] The brakes are ventilatedcarbon-ceramic discs made byBrembo, with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.[36]
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The most prominent exterior features of the new GT are the open airflow tunnels built into the rear fenders of the car, referred to as the 'flying buttresses'. These large aerodynamic elements, enabled by the compact V6 engine and pushrod suspension design, channel air around the teardrop-shaped cockpit over the rear spoiler for increased downforce.[37] The front end of the GT features aGT40-inspired cutaway nose and vents in the hood that pass oncoming air over the top of the car. The rear features a largediffuser and hollow circular tail lights that expel air taken in by vents built into the flying buttresses.
The active rear spoiler of the GT can adjust and adapt to different driving conditions and modes depending on how much downforce is needed. In Track mode, agurney flap will extend from the trailing edge of the wing to further increase downforce, and the wing will flip vertical to help stop the car under heavy braking.[37]
The GT has a claimed top speed of 216 mph (348 km/h), and has a power to weight ratio of 0.43 hp (0.32 kW) per kilogram. In steady-state cornering on a skidpad, the GT can achieve 1.11 g of lateral acceleration, and the car is capable of braking from 70 mph (113 km/h) to a stop in 145 ft (44 m). Independent acceleration figures are provided below.[38]
At theWillow Springs International Raceway,Motor Trend test driverRandy Pobst achieved ahot lap time of 1:23.69 in a 2017 GT, which at the time made it the fourth-fastest road car tested between the2015 Porsche 918 Spyder (1:23.54) and the2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S (1:24.26).[39] After suffering from mechanical issues during an earlier test by automotive magazineCar and Driver, racing driverBilly Johnson set a lap time aroundVirginia International Raceway of 2:38.62 in a 2017 GT. This places it third overall in Car and Driver's testing history at the circuit, after the2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (2:37.3) and the2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Weissach (2:37.8).
Production began in December 2016 and is scheduled to continue through 2022, with a planned production rate of one car per day atMultimatic's low-volume assembly facility in Markham, Ontario, Canada.[40] Approximately two hundred 2017 and 2018 year production cars were recalled to fix potential hydraulic leaking and fire risk.[41] The cars produced for the 2017 and 2018 model years are allocated throughFord Performance's vehicle allocation process. The cars produced for the 2019 model year were primarily for buyers unsuccessful in the initial selection process, and the cars produced for the 2020 model year were for new customers.[42]
For the 2020 model year, the Ford GT received an update that introduced several mechanical upgrades and new special editions. The 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 was uprated at 660 hp (492 kW; 669 PS) due to gallery-cooled pistons and more powerfulignition coils.[43] New engine tuning also results in a 'broader torque band' according to Ford, although peak torque output remains unchanged. The updated GT also comes standard with a new titanium exhaust system developed byAkrapovič, which saves 9 lb (4 kg) over the original exhaust.[44] The suspension stiffness in Track mode has also been further increased, and cooling airflow into the flying buttresses has been improved by new vent design in this updated model.[43]
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There have been a number of special edition series for the new GT, often involving unique liveries, materials, or interior changes. These special editions include:
A track-day-only version of the new GT, named the GT Mk II, was launched on 4 July 2019 at theGoodwood Festival of Speed.[50] The name pays homage to the original GT40 Mk II race car that won the1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The GT Mk II features many substantial changes from the road car that increase its capabilities on the track. The 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 engine has been tuned and is rated at over 700 hp (522 kW; 710 PS), which is cooled by a roof-mounted air intake and new outboard-mountedintercoolers.[51] The removal of the adjustable ride height system and the stripped-out interior reduces the overall weight of the Mk II by about 200 pounds (91 kg) over the road car.[52] The active spoiler has been replaced by a much larger fixed wing, which in combination with a larger diffuser and new aerodynamic elements results in a 400% increase in downforce over the road car.[53] The GT Mk II uses smaller 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport GT slick racing tires, although it shares the GT's carbon ceramic brakes.[52]
As a result of these changes, the GT Mk II is not street legal. Only 45 will be built, and at a unit price of US$1.2 million it is the most expensive Ford ever sold.[54] The Mk II, however, is not sold by Ford but rather directly to customers by Multimatic, the Canadian manufacturer of all GT cars.[52]
To commemorate Ford's victory at the1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford and Multimatic built another track-only Ford GT inspired by theFord GT40 Mk IV, priced at $1.7 million; the car targets more than 800 horsepower as a performance figure. 67 examples will be built by Ford as a final sendoff to the Ford GT.[55]
The Ford GT has been campaigned in various racing venues. These include:
The Ford GT GT1 is a racing version of the Ford GT developed byMatech Concepts to comply withFIA GT1 rules. The official race debut of the Ford GT1 coincided with the kick-off of the2009 FIA GT Championship season in Silverstone. For the2010 FIA GT1 World Championship season four cars were built and fielded by two teams:Matech Competition andMarc VDS Racing Team.[60] Three cars competed in the2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with two (the number 70 car run by the Marc VDS Racing Team and the number 61 car run byMatech Concepts) retiring early on. The third car retired later in the race. For the2011 FIA GT1 World Championship season, Matech left the series which left Marc VDS running the four cars during the season, two under the Marc VDS Racing Team name and the other two cars under the name of Belgian Racing.
The Ford GT was also homologated for the FIA GT3 rules by Matech Concepts. The Ford GT GT3 was involved in numerous championships including theFIA GT3 European Championship,FIA GT1 World Championship,Blancpain Endurance Series, and others. The GT3 version is slower than the GT1 version (rated at around 500 hp (373 kW) instead of 600 hp (447 kW)) and features different bodywork.
 The #66 Ford GTLM GTE-Pro, which competed at the6 Hours of Silverstone from 2018 | |||||
| Category | Weathertech SportsCarGTLM andWorld Endurance ChampionshipLM GTE-Pro | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor |  Ford Performance | ||||
| Designer | Chris Svensson (styling) | ||||
| Successor | Ford Mustang GT3 (S650) (LM GT3) | ||||
| Technical specifications | |||||
| Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque with safety roll cage | ||||
| Suspension (front) | Unequal length double wishbone with pushrod-actuated torsion bars and Multimatic DSSV dampers | ||||
| Suspension (rear) | As front | ||||
| Length | 4,763 mm (188 in; 16 ft) | ||||
| Width | 2,045 mm (81 in; 7 ft) | ||||
| Height | 1,030 mm (41 in; 3 ft) | ||||
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm (107 in; 9 ft) | ||||
| Engine | Ford EcoBoost D35 3.5 L (214 cu in)V6 60°twin-turbocharged,mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted | ||||
| Transmission | Ricardo 6-speed sequentialsemi-automatic paddle shift Limited slip ramp/plate differential | ||||
| Battery | Braille AGM (13 volts) | ||||
| Power | Over 500 PS (493 hp; 368 kW), 500 N⋅m (370 ft⋅lbf) torque | ||||
| Weight | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) excluding driver, fluids and fuel; 1,310 kg (2,888 lb) including driver, fluids and fuel | ||||
| Fuel | VP Racing Fuels MS100 RON unleaded 80% + Ethanol E20 20% (IMSA SportsCar)/Shell V-Power LM24 98 RON unleaded (WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours (2016-2017))/Total Excellium LM24 98 RON unleaded 80% + Ethanol E20 (WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours (2018-2019)) | ||||
| Lubricants | Castrol EDGE SUPERCAR | ||||
| Brakes | Six piston front Brembo calipers. Four piston rear Brembo calipers. Vented Brembo discs | ||||
| Tyres | |||||
| Competition history | |||||
| Notable entrants | Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA (IMSA SC) Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK joint venture withMultimatic Motorsports (FIA WEC) | ||||
| Notable drivers | |||||
| Debut |
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| Constructors' Championships | 1 (IMSA 2018) | ||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||
On 12 June 2015, at Le Mans, it was announced that Ford will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 with a factory-supported, four-car effort operating as Ford Chip Ganassi Racing with the LM-spec Ford GT LM GTE-Pro.[61] TheFord Chip Ganassi Racing cars campaigned in both theIMSAWeatherTech SportsCar Championship and theFIA World Endurance Championship.[62] The car debuted at the 201624 Hours of Daytona on January 30–31 finishing seventh and ninth in class.[63]
On June 19, 2016, the #68 Ford GT of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing finished first at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in theLM GTE-Pro class; the victory marked fifty years after Ford won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, where they came first, second, and third with the GT40.[64][65] In the 20166 Hours of Fuji and the6 Hours of Shanghai, both the Ford GT's finished 1–2 at both races, the #67 winning both and the #66 coming second in both.
In the opening WEC race at Silverstone, the #67 Ford GT took victory.[66] Two races later, on June 19, 2017, the #67 Ford GT of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing finished runner up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in theLM GTE-Pro class; this time fifty years after the second Le Mans Race win in 1967.[67]
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