Ford GT40: Which Version to Choose and Why
The Ford GT40 catalogue contains one generation, produced from 1964 to 1969 as a Coupe, and two versions carrying the same exact name: 4.7 MT. The practical choice is therefore between the 306 hp 4.7 MT and the 335 hp 4.7 MT.
The Ford GT40 catalogue contains one generation, produced from 1964 to 1969 as a Coupe, and two versions carrying the same exact name: 4.7 MT. The practical choice is therefore between the 306 hp 4.7 MT and the 335 hp 4.7 MT. Both use a 4728 cc Gasoline engine, but the 335 hp version offers stronger performance: it has 29 hp more, reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner, and has a top speed 16 km/h higher. The 306 hp version is the better-documented choice for torque, consumption, weight, and detailed engine measurements.
Ford GT40 generations: is there a later model to choose?
There is only one Ford GT40 generation in the supplied catalogue data. The 1 generation ran from 1964 to 1969, used a Coupe body, and included two versions. Because both versions share the same production period and generation, there is no newer generation or restyling to compare.
The choice comes down entirely to specification. Both entries are named 4.7 MT, so they must be distinguished by output: 4.7 MT with 306 hp and 4.7 MT with 335 hp.
Ford GT40 engine and specs comparison
Both versions have a 4728 cc Gasoline engine with 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout. Each has 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, a Rear engine position, Carburetor fuel delivery, and RWD. Their principal mechanical difference is the transmission: the 306 hp version has a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 335 hp version has a 4-speed Manual gearbox.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 MT, 306 hp | 306 hp / 228 kW at 6000 rpm | 446 Nm at 4200 rpm | 4728 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 4.7 MT, 335 hp | 335 hp / 250 kW at 6250 rpm | not measured | 4728 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
The 306 hp 4.7 MT produces approximately 64.7 hp per litre, while the 335 hp 4.7 MT produces approximately 70.9 hp per litre. That gives the 335 hp version about 6.1 additional hp per litre from the same displacement.
The power difference is 29 hp, or about 9.5% relative to the 306 hp version. Output in kilowatts rises by 22 kW, from 228 to 250 kW. Maximum-power speed also moves from 6000 rpm to 6250 rpm, a difference of 250 rpm.
Only the 306 hp 4.7 MT has measured torque in the data: 446 Nm at 4200 rpm. Torque and torque speed for the 335 hp 4.7 MT are not measured, so a direct torque comparison cannot be made.
The 306 hp version also has a measured compression ratio of 9.1 and a bore and stroke of 101.6 × 72.89. Both values are not measured for the 335 hp version.
Ford GT40 performance, top speed, and fuel economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 MT, 306 hp | 5.5 seconds | 254 km/h | 24.8 l/100 km | 16.7 l/100 km | 20.5 l/100 km |
| 4.7 MT, 335 hp | 5.2 seconds | 270 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 335 hp 4.7 MT is the performance choice. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, compared with 5.5 seconds for the 306 hp version. The 0.3-second advantage represents an acceleration-time reduction of about 5.5%.
Its top speed is 270 km/h rather than 254 km/h, giving the 335 hp car a 16 km/h advantage. This is about 6.3% higher than the top speed of the 306 hp version.
Fuel consumption is measured only for the 306 hp 4.7 MT. Its figures are 24.8 l/100 km in the city, 16.7 l/100 km on the highway, and 20.5 l/100 km combined. City consumption is 8.1 l/100 km higher than highway consumption. Consumption for the 335 hp version is not measured, so the supplied data cannot establish which version is more economical.
Ford GT40 dimensions and weight
Body dimensions are not measured for either 4.7 MT version. The available weight and chassis data are:
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 MT, 306 hp | 1200 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.7 MT, 335 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
With a kerb weight of 1200 kg and output of 306 hp, the 306 hp 4.7 MT has approximately 3.92 kg per horsepower, or 255 hp per tonne. Kerb weight for the 335 hp version is not measured, so its power-to-weight ratio cannot be calculated reliably.
Both versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Independent, spring rear suspension. Both also have Ventilated disc front brakes. Rear-brake specifications are not measured for either version.
Ford GT40 reliability and problems data
Reliability results, fault records, service intervals, and identified problems are not measured for either Ford GT40 4.7 MT version. The catalogue data therefore provide no factual basis for ranking the 306 hp and 335 hp versions by reliability.
The available specifications can compare performance, transmission, consumption, and documented technical detail, but they cannot show whether one version is easier to maintain or less likely to develop problems.
Which Ford GT40 version should you buy?
Choose the 4.7 MT with 335 hp if performance is the priority. From the same 4728 cc displacement, it delivers 29 hp and 22 kW more, raises specific output from approximately 64.7 to 70.9 hp per litre, cuts the 0–100 km/h time from 5.5 to 5.2 seconds, and increases top speed from 254 to 270 km/h. It also uses a 4-speed Manual gearbox rather than the 5-speed Manual fitted to the 306 hp version.
Choose the 4.7 MT with 306 hp if you want the version supported by the fuller set of measured specifications. It has a recorded 446 Nm at 4200 rpm, a 1200 kg kerb weight, a 9.1 compression ratio, and measured city, highway, and combined consumption. Its 5-speed Manual gearbox also provides one more forward gear than the 4-speed Manual in the 335 hp car.
The data do not include prices, so it is impossible to calculate a monetary cost per additional horsepower or say whether the faster version justifies a particular premium. What any extra money buys in specification terms is clear: the 335 hp 4.7 MT provides 29 extra horsepower, a 0.3-second quicker 0–100 km/h time, and 16 km/h more top speed. The 306 hp 4.7 MT, meanwhile, is the more transparent choice because more of its torque, economy, engine, and weight figures are measured.