Racemasters Ford GT40 MkIV #2 HO Slot Racing Cars

The Ford GT40 MKIV was not intended to achieve victory by chance. Ford took deliberate steps to ensure its success. It was meticulously designed for endurance and speed, with the ultimate goal of winning. Everything about the MKIV set it apart from other GT40s, starting with its production location. Unlike the MKI-III cars, which were all manufactured in Europe, the MKIV was built in the United States. Kar Kraft, a company, constructed the all-new J series chassis and designed its long, streamlined bodywork, making the MKIV the most radical and American variant of all the GT40s.

Several modifications were made to the MKIV, partly due to the tragic and fatal accident of beloved racer Ken Miles. A NASCAR-style, steel-tube roll cage was added for increased safety, despite significantly adding weight to the car. Additionally, the team had to adjust the car body to accommodate the height of the driver, Dan Gurney, who was 6' 4" tall. This resulted in the creation of the "Gurney Bubble," an adjustment that lowered the position of the driver’s seat and added a bubble-shaped piece to the car's roof. These modifications were applied to all MKIVs.

The red MKIV #1, which was built on the J5 Chassis, was initially considered least likely to win, despite being driven by skilled racers Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt. Gurney often lamented the car's weight, which was a substantial 600 pounds heavier than their rival, the Ferrari 330 P4. During practice at Le Mans in 1967, Gurney developed a strategy to preserve the brakes, which were heavily stressed due to the car's additional weight. He backed off the throttle well before the Mulsanne hairpin, a known high-crash zone, coasting into the braking area. This technique, also adopted by co-driver A.J. Foyt, preserved the brakes but resulted in slower lap times.

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