The GT40 effort was launched by Ford to win long-distance sports car races against Ferrari, which won every 24 Hours of Le Mans race from 1960 to 1965. It all began when Ford was looking to buy Farrari, but at the last minute Enzo, the owner of Ferrari backed out of the deal. Henry Ford II was reportedly so upset about the deal that he told his product Manager Don Frey, ‘go to Le Mans, and beat his ass.’

- Topgear.com