Seymour Snerd
Lifetime Supporter
A long long time ago there was a long thread that at one point motivated me to catalog the differences between the SPF GT40 and its predecessors. I realized I haven't updated that list so I thought I'd repost it as a new thread that hopefully those of us obsessed with historical accuracy can use and maintain as a reference. My interest is mostly with Mk IIs so the details at the end are going to reflect that. I will incorporate any verifiable information on Mk Is that anyone wants to contribute. The "significance" tends to but does not always decrease as you go down the list.
- Wilwood brakes with drum-type parking brake, cables and center lever vs. Dunlop or Kelsey-Hayes on originals
- AC evaporator box where oil tank or spare tire might be, AC condenser in front of radiator; reciever-dryer, hoses, etc., AC compressor on motor vs no A/C
- Ventilated seats simulated out of foam vs. webbing-suspended parachute cloth; no brackets to support original-style seats.
- Cable shift in center-shift cars vs. rod shift. (no deviation for RHD)
- Fuel tank crossover by flexible hose across engine bay vs. (this seems to vary among originals). Mk IIs I believe used large pipe across interior under driver's knees.
- SPF has locking gas caps hidden within "Le Mans" caps.
- "Rear flare" variations. Possibly SPF supplies all the interesting MK I variations. (?)
- Stainless steel fuel tanks vs. form-fitting bladders
- Pedal cluster welded steel vs. cast aluminum
- Sponson ribs slightly different.
- Bilstein shocks vs. whatever
- Aluminum wheels (vs. Magnesium)
- Aluminum uprights (vs. Magnesium)
- MK II exhaust in carbon steel, vs. stainless
- Mk II rear-most exhaust pipes slip joint in vertical section.
- Muffler vs. straight megaphone
- Engine variations (eg, Windsor). Installer choice.
- Ford interior mirror vs. Lucas
- Galvanized frame (I think Mk V's did as well, but then they have their own set of differences some of which are substantial).
- ZF vs T-44 transaxle in Mk IIs. (installer choice)
- Racing originals had various number light configurations.
- Some MK I originals had colored recognition lights.
- Originals: various quick-lift hook colors (eg white on P1032)
- Rounder front fender opening profile (Mk I, not sure about Mk II)
- Mk II SPF has Mk IIB front fender shape.
- Mk IIB original: wider rear fenders, wider rear wheels (12"?) and tires.
- Mk IIB original: cut away radiator opening below radiator.
- Dash profile difference in LHD cars, less so in RHD cars (corner and edge profile)
- Later Mk II original use "Holman-Moody" dash with SW instruments.
- Later MK II original have roll cage.
- Mk IIs have internal chain-driven dry sump oil system with oil tank on one or the other side of rear window.
- Later Mk II original (?) run plumbing down left side of interior rather than through central tunnel.
- Later MK II originals(?) use much deeper seat.
- Later Mk II originals (?) foil covered insulation under rear clip over engine. (eg P1032)
- Some Mk II originals foil covered insulation on interior firewall. (eg GTX1?)
- Some Mk II originals (?) gray painted rear clip interior. Don't know about front clip.
- Some Mk II originals mount rear AR bar off end of upper shock bolt.
- Mk II orignals vary from SPF and (?) each other as to how upper rear lateral link loads are fed into rear hoop to establish "double shear" for fasteners.
- Mk II original RHS frame engine mount forward of LHS engine mount.
- Mk II original sponson cross section different shape from SPF.
- Mk II original hydraulic reservoirs mounted near center and accessed through opening (i.e. without opening lid or removing clip).
- Mk II original: some had contrasting fluorescent (?) paint across front.
- Mk IIB original: some/all (?) had Ford "swash" along side. And then there's the "Mercury" thing....
- Some Mk IIs had "non-overhead" passenger door.