The best-supported explanation is the GT40’s British development setting and its connection to the Lola GT—not a documented Ford decision to gain a racing advantage from right-side steering. Ford’s history describes the people and places behind the car, but does not identify a specific reason for putting the steering wheel on the right.
What Ford’s history says about the GT40’s origins
Ford’s GT program began after negotiations with Ferrari ended. Ford’s stated aim was to create “A racing GT car that will have the potential to compete successfully in major road races such as Sebring and Le Mans,” according to Ford Motor Company’s GT40 history, published October 16, 2019.
Ford brought together its engineer Roy Lunn and Eric Broadley, the British designer associated with the Lola GT, which Ford regarded as groundbreaking. John Wyer was appointed race manager. The early workshop was set up in Broadley’s garage in Bromley, England, and Ford Advanced Vehicles later moved its operations to Slough.
That British setting and the Lola connection provide the most defensible context for why the original GT40 had a right-hand-drive layout: the car emerged from a project whose early design and engineering work was rooted in Britain. Ford’s published account, however, does not explicitly say that either factor determined the steering-wheel position. It is a historically grounded explanation, not a documented statement of Ford’s precise design rationale.
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Were there racing advantages to right-hand drive?
A secondary article offers additional theories, including improved visibility on some Le Mans corners and benefits related to pit-lane layouts. Those ideas may sound plausible, but that article’s explanation is not corroborated by Ford’s historical account. Treat them as proposed explanations, not as established reasons Ford selected the layout.
No named Ford representative or engineer is quoted in the reviewed sources explaining the right-hand-drive decision. Without that evidence, it would be misleading to state that cornering visibility, pit stops, or any particular circuit feature was the reason.
Rank #2
- Brand new 1/18 scale diecast car model of 1966 Ford GT-40 MK II #7 Silver die cast model car by Shelby Collectibles.
- Brand new box. Real rubber tires. Steerable wheels. Made of diecast with some plastic parts.
- Opening hood, doors and engine compartment. Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment. Dimensions approximately L-9.25, W-4, H-2.25 inches. Please note that manufacturer may change packing box at anytime. Product will stay exactly the same.
How the British development shaped the car
The UK connection was part of the project’s engineering story, not just its address. Ford says Lunn lowered the initial design relative to Broadley’s Lola concept; the finished car stood 40 inches high. This detail illustrates how Ford’s team adapted the concept, but Ford does not connect that change—or any other specific engineering decision in its account—to the cockpit’s steering position.
The evidence also concerns the original GT40 program. It should not be stretched into a claim that every GT40 variant, road car, or later GT40-derived model shared the same configuration or rationale.
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Rank #3
- ICONIC SCALE MODEL: KiNSMART Ford GT40 MKII Heritage Edition die cast metal toy car in a 1:32 scale, measuring approximately 5 inches long.
- DIE CAST METAL CONSTRUCTION: Built from high-quality die cast metal for a realistic look and feel, making it a great collectible or play toy.
- PULLBACK ACTION: Features a fun pull-back motor mechanism that lets the car zoom forward on its own with a simple pull and release.
- OPENABLE DOORS & RUBBER TIRES: Doors open for added realism, and rubber tires provide smooth rolling on most flat surfaces.
- RECOMMENDED AGE: Designed for children ages 3 and up. Contains small parts — not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
The layout did not define the GT40’s success
The GT40 went on to become a major Le Mans winner. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s history of the car records the Gulf team’s victories in 1968 and 1969 with the Mk I, as well as Ford’s later return to Le Mans with the modern Ford GT. That racing record gives context to the car’s legacy, but it does not establish why the original cockpit was right-hand drive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- FEATURES & DETAILS: This 1:18 scale Ford GT40 MK.1 diecast model measures approximately 9.5 inches in length and recreates the low, aerodynamic profile of the classic endurance racing car. The model features opening front doors that allow a view of the interior detailing including seats and dashboard elements. Finished in a yellow 1968 racing-inspired presentation, the model is designed for display and does not include a separate display base.
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Rank #4
- Brand new box. Real rubber tires. Steerable wheels. Made of diecast with some plastic parts. Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment. Opening hood, doors and engine compartment. Dimensions approximately L-9.25, W-4, H-2.25 inches.
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