A story that blends business, passion, innovation, betrayal and victory; few rivalries in automotive history are as legendary, or as emotionally charged, as Ford vs Ferrari.
The roots of this iconic rivalry date back to the 1960s, when the two family firms first went head-to-head. From the boardrooms of Detroit to the racetracks of France, it became a battle between two men: Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari.
Where it all began: the founding of Ford
It all started in 1903, when 40-year-old Michigan entrepreneur Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. His company was a game changer, as he made cars for the masses that were affordable and accessible. The launch of the iconic Model T in 1908 was the beginning of personal mobility for millions.
However, Ford’s biggest contribution was his innovation in manufacturing. He introduced the moving assembly line in 1913, which dramatically reduced production times and costs. That move transformed the auto industry and revolutionised global manufacturing.
Under his leadership, Ford became a giant in vehicle manufacturing in the early 20th century, but sadly, by the 1940s, the marque was starting to slide. When Henry Ford II, grandson of the founder, took over from his father Edsel in 1945, the company was in disarray. Slumping into complacency following its early success, it needed fresh ideas and bold moves - something Ford II was ready to provide at the helm.
The rise of Enzo Ferrari in Italy
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, another giant of the automotive industry was rising. Enzo Ferrari, 41, founded Auto Avio Costruzioni in Maranello in 1939, originally to supply parts to motor racing teams. The Formula 1 driver from Modena wasn’t interested in mass producing cars in his youth, as his passion was winning glory on the racetrack. He had been competing since 1919 in fast, high performance cars, earning success as a driver.
Launching the Scuderia Ferrari team, a division of Alfa Romeo, in 1929, he eventually retired from motor racing in 1931, after participating in 41 Formula 1 Grand Prix and achieving 11 wins. In the 1940s, the entrepreneur became a standalone automaker- the first Ferrari-badged car was produced in 1947.
Designing luxurious, high-performance vehicles, the marque consistently dominated motorsports, particularly F1, but building road cars became a necessity to fund his real love, racing. His luxury cars became a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and engineering, associated with passion and prestige.
Enzo Ferrari was known to be a fiercely proud and stubborn man, who was unwilling to compromise on his ideals. This attitude came into the spotlight in the 1960s.
The deal that fell through
In 1963, Henry Ford II was eager to break into the world of European motorsport, so he made a surprise offer to buy Ferrari. His goal was to acquire an established racing brand with global appeal to fast-track Ford motors’ credibility as a performance marque.
Negotiations continued for months and seemed almost finalised - until Enzo Ferrari realised the deal meant Ford motor company would have control over the Ferrari team’s racing budget. For Enzo, this was a red flag - he backed out of the takeover at the eleventh hour. He reportedly insulted the Ford brand, its cars and even Henry Ford II himself after negotiations soured.
The rejection stung, not just financially, but personally for Ford II, who felt he had been publicly humiliated by the smaller, independent company. As a result, he decided to get even: if he couldn’t buy Ferrari, he’d beat them on the racetrack. The intense rivalry had begun.
Enter the Ford GT40
Ford launched an ambitious mission to build a car that could win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, an endurance race that Ferrari had won six times. The initial GT40s were promising, but ultimately flawed. Although fast, they proved unreliable under race conditions. In 1964, Carroll Shelby, an American former Le Mans winner and mastermind behind the Shelby Cobra, joined Ford’s struggling GT40 development programme. Bringing new energy to the project, he collaborated with British-born driver and engineer Ken Miles to transform the GT40. It wasn’t just faster, it was also more durable, reliable and a true competitor. With upgrades to the aerodynamics and braking systems, the GT40 Mk II was ready for action.
In 1966, Ford took over at Le Mans, with GT40s finishing first, second and third. It was a masterclass in engineering, perseverance and revenge, as Ferrari didn’t even finish. Suddenly, the world was taking notice.
Legacy that lived on
The GT40 won Le Mans four years in a row from 1966 to 1969, cementing Ford’s place in racing history. More than that, it transformed the brand's public image from a mass market manufacturer to a marque that could compete with, and beat, the best in the world.
The victory sparked a cultural shift inside Ford. Performance mattered a lot, with the Mustang becoming one of the most iconic American muscle cars in history. Over time, the performance DNA seeped into the company’s broader collection, from trucks to SUVs.
Today, many vintage Ford cars are cherished by collectors and enthusiasts. The original GT40s are worth millions, as only 105 were made. A 1968 model that featured in the 1971 Steve McQueen film, Le Mans, sold for £8.1 million in 2011.
Ford’s heritage today
More than 300 classic Ford cars over 40 years old are still in existence in the UK, according to 2024 data from DVLA. The spirit of Ford lives on, with collectors choosing retrofit tech, such as a modern Ford tracker, to bring their vintage pride and joy into the 21st century. Combating theft is crucial, as Ford was Britain’s third most stolen brand in 2024, when more than 6,000 were targeted by thieves. A tracking device can help provide peace of mind and security.
Other modern retrofit features, such as the Ford reverse camera and parking sensors, have become invaluable aids when manoeuvring valuable vintage cars into tight parking spaces.
Modern tech isn’t all bells and whistles; it’s about safety and precision, something Shelby and Miles would have appreciated.
Ford vs Ferrari today
The rivalry between Ford and Ferrari still lives on, although it’s more symbolic than confrontational now. Ford continues to honour its GT40 legacy with cars like the modern Ford GT, a supercar in its own right. Ferrari remains a dominant force in Formula 1 and exotic car circles.
The 2019 film, Ford v Ferrari, introduced this true story to a new generation. Starring Christian Bale as Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, it dramatised the grit and genius that powered this unlikely battle. While the big screen drama took a few liberties, it captured the emotional truth: this was more than business, it was personal.
What started as a failed business deal in the 1960s became one of the most exciting chapters in automotive history. Whether you’re fitting your classic RS200 with a high-tech Ford reversing camera, tracking your RS Cosworth, or just enjoying the purr of a V8 engine, you’re part of a great legacy.
