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David Eckert’s Ford Mach Forty Wins 2012 GT Awards, Coming to Future Gran Turismo Game

Jordan Greer · · 154 Comments

The 2012 Gran Turismo Awards were held last night in Las Vegas, where Kazunori Yamauchi himself selected the David Eckert’s Ford Mach Forty as “Best in Show” from among the five category finalists.

The Mach Forty is an interesting and unusual car, which took three years to create.

As the name suggests, it is a combination of Mach 1 styling with a GT40 inspired power train. From the outset, it was designed to be a car that anyone could tell was a ’69 Mustang, but that would be nothing like any of the other 300,000 Mustangs that were built in that year.

A 1969 Mustang Mach 1 body was used to create the roof section, door frames, and doors. The tail section, quarter panels, front fender, hood, floor structures, and full peripheral frame are all new, hand formed steel pieces.

The engine is a 2006 Ford GT 5.4 liter dry sump unit, with a four liter Whipple supercharger, Mo TeC engine control unit, custom billet fuel rails, and dual Lamborghini throttle bodies. It also includes an “Adjustable Horsepower Dial” which allows you to adjust the car’s horsepower on the fly between 600-850hp.

Suspension is from a C6 Corvette with custom coil over shocks.

After Kazunori Yamauchi presented the award, Snoop Dogg/Lion came out on stage and performed many of his popular hits. Later, Kazunori also presented him with a custom wood-grain PlayStation 3 engraved with his name.

Congratulations to David Eckert and all of the GT Awards category finalists!

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Comments (154)

  3. Badasp5.0

    So we get this car which is ok from some angles and odd from others but only a handful of Mustangs? WTH why cant we get some of the Road racing ‘stangs in a DLC instead of random VWs and more GTRs. Please add the SVO, ’93/’95 Cobra R, ’97 Saleen Le Mans RRR Mustang the ’11+ 5.0 GT and the ’13 GT500!!!!

    1. Pete9320

      Think a wish of good old mustangs must be killed before GT6.
      I don’t want to be completly pessimistic ofc.
      But you know, that’s probaly how it’s gonna be.

  4. SavageEvil

    What the hell, that car is a hybrid of at GT40 and a Mach 1 Mustang, this I have to drive to see if it’s worth any salt. Lol. Unique is also part of GT, uniquely weird and sometimes useless but nice to tinker with.

  8. TomBrady

    I called it. he always picks the oldest car the last few years.

    This thing is killed by it’s ugly hideous horrible rims, and crappy color. Honestly the only worse choice is the Bug.

  11. cgg

    I honestly thought that it was going to be the Scion that won, just to add to the list of cars that are all the same.

    Just a Question, how difficult is it to design a car like this? I know it’s incredibly difficult to make this sort of thing, but designing? I’m not sure. It’s a very nice car though, and I’m pleased that it beat the other Mustang, the Scion, but I wouldn’t have minded the Beetle.

  16. Thenextbob

    No WAY!Again a grandpa is coming to GT5?Why don’t we get the actual mustang?We need it more than a 1969 buddy !

  17. Conza

    A Ford GT with 850 BHP out of the box, they could’ve done much worse. I would prefer more cars, but as long as this one’s free, I don’t see the problem here, other than the usual things wrong with PD

    1. Pit Crew

      The mistake is you posting that comment in the GT5 thread.

      You’ll get 6 Supercars in Forza Horizon, but you wont use them much because obviously you will be paying attention to whats in GT6.

    2. MadmuppGT

      GT gets the respect of actual car modifiers and manufacturers, I appear to be the only one who loves the look of this car, classic looks with modern power… whats no to like, plus its a one off

  19. Hentis

    I see the cochophony of usual malcontents are complaining yet again.
    The choice of car is a good one. It’s not only the aesthetics of the car the Tamauchi San looks at its also the story surrounding the car. The sarcasm is really becoming a joke now just because some of you can’t get what you wan or don’t like what you see.

  29. Redline

    “after K.Y presented the award snoop dogg/lion came out on stage and performed many of his popular hits”- from the bong

  30. tpark103

    I love this car, it’s so unique and it comes with 800hp stock. I can only imagine what it will have after a few upgrades!!! (Beast) Now considering we still don’t have last years winner in the game I don’t expect to see this one anytime soon. Kaz knows cars and tuners, great choice!!

    2. Pit Crew

      Took three years to finish. Custom tail section, quarter panels, front fender, hood, floor structures, and full peripheral frame are all new, hand formed steel pieces. Thats dedication to a project that pulled at these workers core more than any of us can relate to, beyond serving ones nation. Blue Collar blood sweat and tears created this Custom Mod.

      Some may not agree with Kazs choice, but labeling this choice of cars boring, just to be negative is weak as rain water. Suggest some of you haters pool your resources, devote some time and conceive then register& show your entry at a future SEMA event.

    3. tpark103

      Thanks Pit Crew I couldn’t have said it better myself. The level of dedication a custom work that each these tuners put into they craft is world class and Kaz news is a world traveler who lives in a country where some of the best tuners come from, I think the man knows what he’s talking about whether you like or not!!!

    4. TokoTurismo

      You said it @Pit Crew and @tpark103.

      I don’t mind this car at all, especially the fact that it took “3 years” to finish. I’m really happy Kaz chosed it, it rocks and so does Kaz himself for picking it. That FR-S, sure it looked good, but we already have models of that car, so no need for it. Plus we can tune our own models of it as well, so not sure what the complainers are butthurt about.

      Let them keep QQing, it’s fun seeing them cry about this cool classic muscle car winning. HAHA!!! :D

    1. TokoTurismo

      I know right? Seriously the GT-R should have been there for Kaz to choose, THAN lets if the others would agree… >_>

  33. JackC8

    Oh quit complaining guys – it’s coming to a FUTURE Gran Turismo game, so you probably won’t see it for 10 years anyway.

  37. flink racquet

    Snoop the Dogg! Does this mean Snoop the Dogg will be included as DLC in the racing suit section? I hope so, GT5 or GT6, I don’t mind, i just gotsa have dis gangstar in da game! Maybe a weed leaf in the livery editor that has been confirmed for GT6.

    1. Pit Crew

      Im sure there’s less then 10 mustangs in GT5

      3 Premium Mustang including the Cammer

      3 Standards unless I forgot 1 but definitely less then the inflated number of Skylines, Mitsubishis, Mazda Miatas, RX7s.

      Any other time, a Mustang is a popular car to request here in the forums, but just like night and day, that switched up real quick.

    2. analog

      It isn’t exactly another Mustang, we didn’t have a mid-engined Mustang included so far now did we?
      And it only looks like a Mustang and I really like it, from all the Sema cars I’ve seen so far this is the one I hoped he’d pick, I also love those wheels.

    1. HarVee

      The majority of the public still know him as Snoop Dogg. And many people will continue to call him that regardless of his changed stage name.

  46. Rdp616

    Not taking anything away from the car with this statement..But this just another example of Kaz’s favoritism. As soon as i heard this car was one of the nominees i knew it would win..Anything GT-40 related and Kaz creams in his pants. This just shows that it’s all about what he wants..Albeit, it is his game. I personally think GT Fans should choose the winner, but that’s just my opinion..

    Another Mustang as a SEMA car…Yawn.

    3. Pit Crew

      Kaz choosing the winner has been the standard for last ten years so why should GranTurismo fanbase have to vote on SEMA cars just because a minority of haters don’t like his choice?

    4. HarVee

      @ Youngun

      K.Y is already the ‘face’ of GT. He seems to do more promoting of the GT brand, than actually developing the games themselves.

  47. Pit Crew

    I like this car. Not overdone visually, clean smooth lines, unique combination of parts and theory. Hardly a boring car. Dont expect it to be a uneventful ride in (hopefully) GT6.

    Ford purists will probably gack over that C6 Vette suspension…Oh well.

    1. Slashfan

      As much of a die-hard Ford fan I am, I actually like the idea of the C6 rear suspension. It’s a considerable improvement over the stock suspension, and it should ride very smooth. I’m excited.

  48. Amac500

    Cool, I was pulling for that one! I just hope we can eventually get some old 50-60’s European cars. My absolute dream car is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, then messed up the roof in 63 and everything in 64 so it NEEDS to be 1962. But yeah, European sports prototypes of that day are in my opinion the coolest cars ever. They look AWESOME so I hope cars of that style start showing up at these GT awards more so we can get more of them. That Ferrari at Pebble Beach was a great start and I do quite like this Mustang! Most importantly, THEY AREN’T JAPANESSE! lol

    1. GrUBbY

      I felt the same way until I saw 1 of 2 ’65 250LM’s at the Indy museum. I love the lines of the GTO but the rarity of the LM put me over the top.

    2. Amac500

      Can’t complain with that logic, lol. I know they also did the 330 LM and modeled them after the 250 GTO, the first 2 of them looked like the 1962 then after that the back started changing to later years

  51. ZedMan1996

    This mustang has 850BHP weighs just 1150kg and has a Mid Engine Rear Drive Placement. Is that boring to you guys now?

    2. Amac500

      The Mustang excites me alot! I think the want for the Scion is that people want more race cars in the game and the Scion was the only racing car one.

    2. Amac500

      I do agree with 05XR8 in that I want a 3rd racing series added. I’d love indycar but we already have DTM and V8 licenses so those would be cool. I would prefer V8 because they are most different from what we have.

    2. Pit Crew

      Scion was nice but this car is a blast. Im gonna enjoy it. Not Hating on none of the finalists, but glad to see another U.S. Classic Custom get its due in GT Series

  59. hazellnut134

    Some of the other cars were way more exciting and unique, like the family dragster. Could be the new Espace F1.

    1. TokoTurismo

      At least this car was built from the ground up, UNLIKE SOME OTHER CARS THAT ARE JUST IMPORTS… Only you’re opinion though, HAHAHA! >:)

  64. BAKEMISTER

    there seams to be a trend happening here at sema, since 2009 there has only been old muscle cars winning and i think that 2010 and 2011 had other cars that where so much better than the ones that won

    4. TokoTurismo

      ^ Uhhhh, what? It doesn’t have to have that if its makers doesn’t want it too. You can colour it yourself when GT6 comes out, or even make your own flames on it from the livery editor if GT6 gets one. Fair enough? Okay, talk done. XD

    1. Slashfan

      Like 3 or 4. The ’73 Camaro was last year, I don’t remember what was before that. According to Kaz, the Camaro was supposed to be in GT5 but I’m thinking it’ll go to GT6. Won’t phase me though. I’m just glad my favorite car in my favorite year made it to the GT series. Even though it’s heavily modded, it still has my favorite Mustang shell.

    2. hobanator24

      It was a ’69 camaro in 2010 & is supposed to be in GT5 (maybe as dlc this month since its been 2 months since the last dlc(yes I’m still thinking of the original dlc release format) and since we just had SEMA 2012) The ’72 Camaro from 2011 is NOT going to be in GT5, same with this, the Plymouth XNR and Ferrari Mondial from Pebble beach ’11 & ’12. But hopefully the 2010 Pebble beach winner (Abarth 1500) will make it into GT5 as dlc hopefully this month too.

    3. 05XR8

      And being that Grand Theft Auto is coming out next year I doubt we’ll see these cars before Christmas 2014. If there are no plans for PS4, then and only then will we see these cars in GT6 Nov ’13.

  69. hobanator24

    Well it has amazing specifications, but as for design, its got looks only a mother could love. If the wheels were not as ridiculous, it would look much better. But I guess they have to be that big because, look at the size of the brakes!

  72. HuskyGT

    Honestly, that red Mustang was ugly as hell, but it woul’ve been a good racer. The Sequoia wasn’t an option since drag racing is not possible in Gran Turismo (not to mention that it would be the only drag racer in the game, not counting the ones in GT2). The Scion, meh… The GT40/Mustang was the obvious choice, and I’m glad it won. I would’ve want the Bettle as well.

  74. nascarfn

    YES LOVE THIS CAR OUT DID ANY OTHER CAR I SEEN!!! I SPIT ON IMPORTS LOL THX Kaz for picking american muscle :D (now if only we had some more trucks in this game)

  75. cgg

    I wanted the dragster, as it might have added a proper drag section to the game. I knew it wouldn’t win though.

  85. c06454

    Can’t wait to drive this beauty! (DLC maybe???)

    With a Mach 1 body, Ford GT engine and C6 suspension, will definitely be a wild ride!

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