The world famous Ford GT40 was designed with one purpose: To beat Ferrari – and it did!

Ford’s most famous racing car, the GT40, won the Le Mans 24-hour race four times during the 1960s. The GT40 was the result of Henry Ford II’s failed attempts to purchase Ferrari. After Enzo Ferrari backed out of the the deal at the last minute, Henry Ford II directed his racing division to build a “Ferrari-beater.”

The resulting GT40 – named so because it stands only 40 inches tall – did just that by coming in first at Le Mans four consecutive times: 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.

The Ford GT40 has become one of the world’s most recognizable long distance racecars ever produced.

Earlier this year, a “priceless” GT40 was found – buried under boxes and junk – in a crammed California garage. The car started a year-long bidding war.