What is Ford chassis J4?

According to the placard, J4 was the first Ford MKIV built, and it won the Sebring 12 hours endurance race in 1967, driven by Mario Andretti and Bruce McLaren.

What made the Ford MKIV's construction unique?

It was constructed of 1" and ½" aluminum honeycomb panels, with a basic chassis weighing only 85 lbs. The MKIV was the first car to use this material in its basic construction, achieving a weight saving of nearly 300 lbs.

How did the Mark IV perform at LeMans?

The placard says another Mark IV won the 24 hours of LeMans shortly after Sebring, crossing the finish line 32 miles ahead of the closest Ferrari, giving Ford LeMans wins in 1966 and 1967.

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Ford Mark IV J4 Race Car History Placard - 1967 Sebring & LeMans Winner

Lower portion of a museum placard with text about the Ford GT MK IV J4

Continuation of a museum display placard describing the Ford GT MK IV J4 chassis construction and racing history.

AI caption August 2007 · Photo 0 of 5000

This is a photograph of a yellow museum/display placard describing the Ford Mark IV (MKIV) endurance racing car, chassis J4. The visible text (the top of the sign is cropped off) explains that Ford Motor Company developed a highly technologically advanced endurance racer built entirely in the U.S., constructed of 1" and ½" aluminum honeycomb panels, with a basic chassis weighing only 85 lbs. The MKIV was the first car to use honeycomb material in its basic construction, saving nearly 300 lbs. overall, and it incorporated new technology such as wheels designed to pump hot air out of the brake calipers. The placard states that J4 was the first MKIV built and won the 1967 Sebring 12 Hours driven by Mario Andretti and Bruce McLaren, and that another Mark IV later won the 24 Hours of LeMans, finishing 32 miles ahead of the closest Ferrari, giving Ford LeMans wins in 1966 and 1967. In 1983, George Stauffer found J4, along with chassis 1046 (the 1966 LeMans winner) and 1074 (the Gulf team Monza winner), stored in crates in a Belgian warehouse. J4 was restored by Jeff Dodge, Jeff Sime, Jim Bach, and Steve Grundahl of Stauffer Classics, Ltd. A '1 P' oval racing badge appears at the bottom.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Ford chassis J4?: According to the placard, J4 was the first Ford MKIV built, and it won the Sebring 12 hours endurance race in 1967, driven by Mario Andretti and Bruce McLaren.
What made the Ford MKIV's construction unique?: It was constructed of 1" and ½" aluminum honeycomb panels, with a basic chassis weighing only 85 lbs. The MKIV was the first car to use this material in its basic construction, achieving a weight saving of nearly 300 lbs.
How did the Mark IV perform at LeMans?: The placard says another Mark IV won the 24 hours of LeMans shortly after Sebring, crossing the finish line 32 miles ahead of the closest Ferrari, giving Ford LeMans wins in 1966 and 1967.
How was J4 rediscovered?: In 1983, George Stauffer found J4 along with chassis 1046, the 1966 LeMans winner, and 1074, the Gulf team Monza winner, stored in crates in a warehouse in Belgium.
Who restored J4?: J4 was restored by Jeff Dodge, Jeff Sime, Jim Bach, and Steve Grundahl of Stauffer Classics, Ltd.