In honor of the legendary GT40’s 60th anniversary, the Ford GT enthusiast community hosted a spectacular reunion during the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s annual Historic Races, held at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, Pennsylvania. The Ford GT40, first raced in May 1964 at Nürburgring, went on to become the first American car to claim victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, cementing its place in motorsport history. To commemorate this milestone, a three-day event from July 26-28 gathered original GT40 race cars, street versions, recreations, and modern-day Ford GTs.
A Grand Celebration of the Ford GT Legacy
The paddock at Pitt Race was filled with GT40s, drawing hundreds of enthusiasts eager to witness this iconic car’s history. The event featured daily displays and track sessions, culminating in the GT40 Featured Race on Sunday. The reunion was open to all Ford GT variants, from the original 1964 Ford GT—later known as the GT40—to the Mk I, Mk II, and Mk IV, as well as the 2005-06 Ford GT and the latest 2017-2024 models. Ford-powered replicas were also welcomed, adding to the event’s diversity.
Participants were treated to exclusive perks, including GT40 swag bags, commemorative track entry lanyards, and invites to the GT40 Reunion Dinner at the Marriott Cranberry. The dinner provided attendees the chance to engage in table talks, meet and greets with key figures in the GT40’s history, and an evening presentation on the car’s storied racing past. Additionally, a catered BBQ lunch was held at the track on Saturday, with Pitt Race’s 2.78-mile course offering an ideal setting for the GT40s to stretch their legs.
Pittsburgh’s Special Connection to the GT40
PVGP Executive Director Dan DelBianco highlighted Pittsburgh’s unique connection to the GT40: “Pittsburgh shared a part of GT40 history when Grady Davis, Executive Vice President of Pittsburgh-based Gulf Oil, started a GT40 racing team with John Wyer Automotive Engineering,” he said. “The Chassis 1075 won at Le Mans in 1968 and 1969 in its famous blue-and-orange Gulf Oil livery.”
Longtime Ford and Shelby enthusiast Jeff Burgy, a co-founder of the SAAC-Motor City Region Shelby club, attended the reunion to capture the event’s highlights. Although he missed the first two days due to another commitment at the SAAC convention, Burgy was able to photograph several incredible cars on the final day, adding to the visual celebration of the GT40’s 60th anniversary.
This reunion not only honored the history of the GT40 but also showcased the enduring passion of its fanbase, solidifying the Ford GT’s legacy as one of the most iconic race cars ever built.
Source: Ford Performance – PHOTOS / COURTESY JEFF BURGY
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
