Ford GT by those who raced them

Everyone knows Ford's GT40 and Mark IV were successful race cars. But what were they really like to drive? And how do, or don't, they relate to the new, for-the-street GT?

In order to connect then with now, we spoke to three guys -- Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, and Jackie Oliver -- all of whom enjoyed a more-than-casual relationship with Ford's ultimate racer. We asked them what the original was all about; not the historical significance of the races they won with them, but an honest appraisal of the GT40 and its variations from behind the wheel. They also shared their opinions about the new GT.

Although Mario Andretti is most often thought of as a CART, USAC, and F1 champion, he had a sensational career driving sports cars. He, too, relied on Ford cars and engines for many of his biggest wins: Indy in 1969, the 1967 Daytona 500 (in a Fairlane), and the 1978 Formula One crown in a Ford Cosworth-powered Lotus. Andretti and Bruce McLaren won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1967 in a Ford GT Mark IV.

It was great. Why? Because Ford did honest-to-goodness, proper testing in preparation for these big road races. I wanted to learn more about road racing. It was a time in my career when I needed that kind of seat time, and they were making it possible. That's why they had the success they did. Phil Remington, who works for Dan Gurney now, had major influence on the aero changes made to the Mark IV; and it looked right and it felt right. It was far superior to the old one in every way--more stable, less drag. But both the Mark II or the Mark IV were very well-tested cars. The Ferrari at the time didn't even have a monocoque; it still had a tubular frame with stressed aluminum panels riveted on. But the Fords were really well done.

I liked the Mark II. It was well-balanced, a great car, but the Mark IV was superior. I was part of the testing program for both of them, and there was no place the Mark IV wasn't better. At Sebring, it seemed the car was just perfect for the time. It's not that we didn't have any competition, either, and we had quite a go with the Chaparral. I couldn't shake them; they were very quick with better aerodynamics, but I could stay with them.

I think the new one is a nice flashback. It's '60s vintage, but it's also modern, well done, and very appealing. It's great to see Ford going back to pick up on the legacy of a time when they were the best at long-distance racing.