Legendary masterpiece based on a kei-car built by students
The Osaka Auto Messe (OAM) 2024, held at Intex Osaka from 10-12 February 2024, attracted 660 custom cars selected from all over Japan. What caught my attention at the event was the Ford GT40 (?), a phantom masterpiece, on display at the booth of the Japan Engineering College. Why was it here? Anyway, we asked about it.
Recreation of the Le Mans-winning car in bright blue and orange Gulf colors
“To tell the truth, this is a masterpiece that the students built based on a kei-car. Incidentally, the real Ford GT40 is also mid-ship, so we used a Honda Beat as a base.”
The chassis, engine, and structural parts of the open model Beat were used to create the FRP body of the car. Incidentally, the pupils learned about the Ford GT40 from a certain racing game.
When looking at the various parts of the body, it seems that the car they aimed for was the famous chassis number 1075 with number 6, which won Le Mans two years in a row in 1968 and 1969, and it is characterized by its light blue and orange, commonly known as Gulf colors.
The body size and design are said to be based on the real thing, and the body was built regarding existing replica (kit car) bodies, with only the wheel arch area modified to fill the difference in wheelbase between the real car and the Beat. This was combined with the Beat chassis, which was made into a skeleton part by removing the outer panels, front windshield, and doors.
Incidentally, the radiator in the large front air dam and the non-opening/closing side windows with only flaps also seem to faithfully reproduce the Le Mans specification.
The suspension, which would normally be magnesium spinner wheels, has been recreated by installing WORK Equip 40 ultra-thick rims with 10J front and 11J rear rims, again with very wide spacers.
The spartan interior is reproduced using aluminum panels
When you get the doors open, the interior is also quite a tour de force. The dash is made from aluminum panels, and although only the triple meter section shows remnants of the Beat, it recreates the spartan atmosphere of the racing car very well. The seats are also fitted with two old low-back bucket seats. The glass in the various parts is a masterpiece of acrylic, heat-processed and curved.
The GT40 was completed after eight months of production, and when you look at the various parts, you will realize that it is a work of considerable power, so much so that it is hard to believe that it was created by students. The experience of building a car like this by themselves as students must surely have a great impact on their lives.
translated by DeepL
