Skip to main content

The Ford GT40 is American automotive royalty, with a rich racing heritage that extends to Le Mans and includes horsepower heroes like Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby. One look at some of the stratospheric sales prices that these Ford GT40s fetch at auction confirms the model’s clout. Check out four of the most expensive Ford race cars ever sold at auction, like a historic 1966 GT40 Mk II. 

How much is a Ford GT40 worth?

A classic Ford GT40 is quite an expensive addition to an elite car collection. For instance, Hagerty reports that a 1966 GT40 Mk I is worth $5,400,000 in good condition. In addition to that near-priceless model, these are the most expensive GT40s to ever sell at auction:

ModelAuction price
1968 GT40$11 million
1966 GT40 Mk II$9.79 million
1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype$7.65 million
1967 GT40 Mk III$5.013 million

Still, for fans who don’t own Fortune 500 companies or countries, a replica car might scratch the itch. According to Classic.com, the average cost of a Continuation GT40 is around $145,161. While it might not have the history, it definitely has the jaw-dropping looks and feel for much less than an original model. 

The 1968 Ford GT40 from “Le Mans” is the most expensive Ford car ever

A 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car parks in the desert.
1968 GT40 from the film Le Mans | RM Sotheby’s

Everyone knows the connection between Le Mans and the GT40 thanks to the 2019 film “Ford V. Ferrari.” However, regarding record-smashing auction sales, the real standout is the 1968 GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car from the 1971 film “Le Mans, “starring Steve McQueen. That orange-and-blue beauty sold for a record-setting $11 million in 2012.

As a result, the legendary race car is not only the most expensive GT40 to cross an auction block; it’s also the most expensive Blue Oval car ever sold.   

How much is a Ford GT40 Mk 2 worth?

A gold-and-red 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II (Mk 2) sold for $9.79 million in the Monterey RM Sotheby’s auction of 2018. It’s a hefty, yet understandable, price given the Mk II’s racing record. 

The Ford race car, piloted by Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum, came in third place in the world-famous 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Moreover, it’s the fourth of eight Mk II models, meaning it is as rare as it is accomplished. 

A 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype sold for $7.65 million in 2019

A Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype that was up for sale parks out in the desert.
GT40 Roadster Prototype | RM Sotheby’s

A topless GT40 is a bit of a unicorn, which explains part of the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster’s final sale price of $7.65 million at a 2019 RM Sotheby’s auction. In addition to being a prototype roadster, it has hosted automotive legends like Jim Clark, Carroll Shelby, and famed GT40 driver Ken Miles.  

How much is a Ford GT40 Mk 3? 

A 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III (Mk 3) could sell for between $3 and 5 million. According to J.D. Power, the highest sale on record demanded a mind-blowing $5,013,000.

Of course, if you want a piece of the GT40’s heritage, you could find a 2006 Ford GT, another low-slung retro homage to the original race car with a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine. According to Hagerty, the model has a fair value of $383,000. While that’s a substantial ask, it’s no Steve McQueen movie car.

What do you think of the high-dollar heroes? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

Related

Ford GT Mk IV Channels Ford Racing History in Swan Song $1.7 Million Monster