Ken Miles GT40 Rendering Updates Classic for the New ’20s
Designed by Paul Piliste, GT40 rendering pays homage to Ken Miles’ MkII Le Mans 24 ride, presents possible path current GT could’ve taken.
The current Ford GT is a stunning machine. Rather than go the retro-modern route taken by the previous GT, however, the second-gen GT kicked everything up several notches. The aim? Accomplishing what the GT40 did before: win the Le Mans 24. The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is surpassed only by the sculpted masterpiece holding it.
A few fans probably would’ve wanted something closer to the original GT40, though. For them, illustrator Paul Piliste presents a possibility, according to AutoEvolution.
Piliste’s GT happens to be based upon the one the late Ken Miles campaigned in the 1966 Le Mans 24, last seen in replica form in 2019’s Ford v Ferrari. However, unlike the MkII GT40 that took second overall, this GT rendering reveals a retro-modern tribute for the New ’20s. Viewed from the side, it’s not too bad. From this angle, though, you might see a few other cars here. Cars like the Bugatti Veyron in overall shape. There’s even a little GT90 in the headlights.
From overhead, driving this GT may not be ideal in the sun, as the whole roof is glass supported by a pair of carbon-fiber tubes. We’re also not sure we’d be able to take this on the track due to said glass, even if the tubes could protect us from going on our heads. We do get a peek at what might be motivating the retro-mod GT, though. Instead of the current GT’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, this one’s packing a naturally aspirated V8 with trumpets atop. AutoEvolution believes the 5.2-liter V8 from the Shelby GT500 would be a good fit for this ride’s backside; it’s certainly at the top of our list of powertrains.
Of course, it’s not a GT of any stripe without a Gulf Oil livery, especially with Miles’ No. 1 in the white circle as the cherry on top. Part of us appreciates the current GT for what it is. However, this rendering can’t help but make us wonder what Ford could’ve done in another lifetime.
Photos: AutoEvolution/Paul Piliste
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