The Ruffian Ford GT40 is finally back in the spotlight today, as Autotopia and Toyo Tires have released highlight videos for this unique supercar project. We honestly wanted to showcase it anyways, along with its olive green Mustang counterpart.
It’s American, it’s a supercar, it’s fully custom and also a hot rod – what’s not to love? So I think everybody recognizes that shape, thanks to the Ford v Ferrari movie. Customizing one original GT40 would be like a crime against humanity, even if it came out looking this good, but the project got away with it.
That’s because the Ruffian Ford GT40 is a DIY supercar. Most of you know about replicas, such as the Shelby Cobra or that Ford hot rod we just showed you. However, American laws allow for any kind of copycat as long as it’s not sold with the engine already installed.
Superformance, a South African company offers a line of replicas based on the Cobra and Daytona. In 2009, they introduced the GT40 as well. The kits come fully installed with suspension and even five choices of historic paint jobs. Prices aren’t listed, but Car and Driver said they start from $125,000 about a decade ago.
However, that just looked like a normal GT40, and owner Chris Ashton @macmaninfi didn’t want that. He wanted to make this classic racing icon into a modern car, like you would with a pro-touring restomod.
The color is Toyota Cavalry Blue, basically what you’d see on a 2020 Tacoma TRD. And inside, the supposed race car comes with air conditioning and some plush-looking leather.
Competition Carbon
The GT40 replica was customized first as a 3D model, which was done by designer Kasim Tlibekov. The parts were then printed and made to fit the car. These prototype components were then molded into real carbon fiber components by Competition Carbon, renowned in the restomod community.
So that’s why you see a carbon bumper insert and splitter, carbon vents over the wheels and a diffuser. You can’t ignore the fact that it’s got a widebody kit as well. Taking advantage of the wider track are Signature THREE center lock wheels measuring 18×11-inch at the front and 19×14-inch at the rear, where they’re wrapped in 345/30/19 Toyo Proxes R888R tires.
Honestly, you could spend days looking at this thing and not get bored. my favorite parts are the aggressive roof scoop and the fully custom LED headlights which were designed and printed by Ruffian Cars.
As for the engine, we’re dealing with a Ford Racing 52XS. The “Aluminator” as it’s nicknamed is based on GT350 tech and takes the shape of a naturally aspirated 5.2L cross-plane crankshaft V8 with 580 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. It’s got a high compression ratio and screams to 8,000rpm, the perfect GT40 restomod combo.
Of course, it’s also built to handle and stop, so Ruffian GT40 comes with 14-inch Wilwood brakes, Bilstein suspension, and even a nose lift.
