From the Classifieds: 2011 Ford GT40 replica

The Ford GT40 is obvious fodder for replicar designers who like to bring legendary vehicles down to street level where they are accessible to the common man.

Although there’s a seemingly inexhaustible list of exotic cars that make the grade as potential replicars – from reimaginings of James Dean’s famous Porsche Speedster to Carroll Shelby’s Cobra – not many look, let alone drive, anything close to the real thing.

In fact, some miss the mark by so much that it’s often difficult to figure what classic they are attempting to recreate.

Some do an impressive job, though. Take, for example, this replica of the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 race car recently celebrated in the mainstream movie ‘Ford v Ferrari’.

The very fact that a legitimate example – in fact, the one used by James Dean in the 1971 film ‘Le Mans’ – sold for $US11 million in the US 10 years ago makes it highly unlikely a genuine Ford GT40 is going to pop up in a showroom near you any time soon.

Especially with a sticker price of “just” $189,000 Australian dollars.

But this black GT40 replica featured on carsales.com.au and on sale through an Adelaide dealership is something more than an air-cooled Volkswagen-powered pretend hypercar.

No, this replica GT40 doesn’t have the race engine that powered – in various sizes from 4.7 litres to 7.0 litres – the spectacularly successful Le Mans GT40s during the 1960s.

But with its supercharged, mid-mounted 5.4-litre Ford Boss V8 and a claimed 300kW at the wheels (legitimised in a dyno report held by the selling dealer), it’s no slacker.

With its space-frame chassis, hand-laid GRP body components and laser-cut aluminium panels, it stands above many of its replicar peers.

It’s not just a track monster, either. The selling dealer says a summary of the car from well-known South Australian automotive engineering firm Tonkin Engineering attests to its suitability for road use.

Significant development input from Australian race driver John Bowe helped here.

Purchased in 2005 in kit form from GT40 replica producer Roaring Forties located in Braeside, Victoria, the GT40 replica was finished and registered, complete with six-speed Audi gearbox and locking differential, in 2011.

The suspension is fully adjustable with the desirable Koni shock absorber option and the AP Racing brakes use six-spot callipers up front with four-pots at the rear. Wheels are replica centre-hub BRMs.

Engine cooling is by an electronically controlled Thermatic water pump and fans, while the crossover ceramic-coated exhaust features stainless-steel mufflers with internal catalytic converters.

The car has a detachable front splitter and an extra roll bar, while the interior is described as “very period correct” with vented race seats, a right-hand gear shift and an array of all the “important” instruments.

It might not be the real thing but, for the money, it comes pretty close.

If you are wondering about a Roaring Forties GT40 replicar’s track potential, read our report on a similar car driven by carsales’ own resident racer Luke Youlden.

Take a closer look at this 2011 Ford GT40 replica for sale on carsales