AK40

The vehicle

The AK40 from AK Sportscars is one of the most advanced and user‑configurable GT40 replicas currently available, blending the drama of Ford’s 1960s endurance icon with engineering suited to modern performance expectations. Originally developed from the respected Southern GT chassis, the AK40 has been further refined to improve ergonomics, structural rigidity and drivetrain flexibility, allowing drivers up to 6'3" to enjoy the car comfortably.

Central to the AK40’s appeal is its drivetrain versatility. The chassis can accept either the classic Ford 302 small‑block V8 or the latest Ford Coyote quad‑cam V8, the latter producing up to 460 bhp when paired with Jenvey throttle bodies and a Canems ECU. Power is delivered through either a Quaife ZFQ five‑speed transaxle or the increasingly rare Renault UN1 unit, giving builders and buyers a choice between period character and modern robustness.

The bodywork is a hand‑laid composite GT40 Mk1 shell with high‑temperature resin, full heat shielding and period‑correct detailing such as twin nostrils, BRM replica wheels and optional Gurney bubbles. The factory build specification includes AP Racing brakes, Nitron suspension, a drive‑by‑wire throttle system and extensive laminated glazing, ensuring the car delivers contemporary handling precision and braking performance.

Inside, the AK40 balances authenticity with comfort. Period seats with ringlets, Alcantara‑trimmed dashboards, Smiths‑style instruments and a right‑hand‑side gear shifter evoke the original GT40 cockpit, while air conditioning, modern electrical systems and a collapsible steering column make the car genuinely usable on today’s roads.

Available as a self‑build kit, rolling chassis, turnkey‑minus or fully factory‑built car, the AK40 offers enthusiasts a rare combination: the visceral theatre of a GT40 with engineering that supports everyday reliability. It stands as a meticulously crafted tribute to one of motorsport’s greatest shapes—reborn with modern capability and bespoke craftsmanship.