When most enthusiasts acquire a Superformance Ford GT40 Mk I continuation chassis, the plan is simple: drop in a traditional V8, bolt on a transaxle, paint it in classic Gulf Racing livery, and enjoy one of motorsport’s greatest icons.
Chris Ashton—a video game developer by day and garage fabricator by night—had a vastly different vision. What started in his Southern California two-car garage as a routine engine installation evolved into The Ruffian GT40 (or Ruffian 40): an aggressive, widebody restomod unveiled at SEMA that blends 1960s Le Mans geometry with modern fabrication and 3D printing.
1. Bodywork & Aerodynamics: Aggressive Carbon Modernization
Designed in collaboration with digital concept artist Kasim Tlibekov and manufactured by Competition Carbon, the exterior discards subtlety in favor of muscular, track-focused stance.
- Widebody Kit: Bespoke carbon-fiber fender flares and extended side skirts widen the car significantly to house massive track rubber.
- Bespoke Front Fascia & Aero: Features an integrated carbon front splitter, deep fender vents, a custom aluminum rear spoiler, and an oversized roof scoop designed directly by Ashton.
- Livery & Lighting: Dressed in Toyota’s Cavalry Blue with dark gray shadow-striping and thin red accents. The lighting uses custom 3D-printed housings containing aftermarket Harley-Davidson LED units up front and repurposed Morimoto taillights out back.
2. Powertrain & the “180-Degree” Exhaust
Under the rear clamshell lies a high-revving Ford Racing engine paired with a hyper-customized exhaust system designed to mimic the screaming soundtrack of historical endurance racers.
Component | Specification |
|---|---|
Engine | Ford Racing 52XS Aluminator V8 (5.2-Liter) |
Output | 580 hp @ 8,000 RPM / 445 lb-ft of torque |
Transaxle | Quaife 5S 5-speed manual (Dogleg 1st gear) |
Exhaust | Custom 180-degree equal-length headers (“Bundle of Snakes”) |
The “Bundle of Snakes” Sound
Standard cross-plane American V8s produce a distinct, low-end rumbly burble. To match the exotic Le Mans pedigree, Ashton hand-fabricated equal-length 180-degree crossover headers with vacuum-operated bypass valves. By crossing individual exhaust runners over the top of the transaxle, the exhaust scavenging produces a high-pitched, flat-plane-style exhaust note reminiscent of modern supercars.
3. Stance, Suspension, and Footwork
To transfer 580 horsepower to the tarmac while sitting mere inches off the ground, the chassis received heavy suspension and wheel upgrades:
- Wheels: Custom Signature THREE centerlock wheels finished in matte bronze with gloss black barrels.
- Front: 18×11-inch
- Rear: 19×14-inch
- Tires: Ultra-sticky Toyo Proxes R888R rubber (295/30R18 front / 345/30R19 rear).
- Suspension: Bilstein dampers paired with a KW hydraulic front-end lift system to safely navigate steep driveway angles and transport trailers.
- Braking: Massive Wilwood 6-piston calipers biting onto 14-inch vented rotors.
4. Cockpit & Engineering Hacks
Despite the futuristic exterior, the interior stays faithful to the ergonomic roots of the original 1966 Le Mans endurance racer while adding essential modern comforts.
- Authentic Layout: Maintains the period-correct Right-Hand Drive (RHD) configuration with a right-hand splayed gear lever mounted against the sill.
- Vintage Touches: Features bronze-faced custom Speedhut instrumentation, ventilated race bucket seats, and a Gentex rearview camera system to compensate for limited rear visibility.
- Clever Throttle Engineering: Because the original GT40 pedal box offers extremely tight clearances, Ashton engineered a remote throttle-by-wire system mounted near the right-rear wheel. The original mechanical throttle cable runs from the pedal box to an electronic sensor in the rear, which converts foot pressure into digital drive-by-wire engine signals.
Summary
The Ruffian GT40 isn’t just another replica—it represents a bridge between homage and innovation. By pairing old-school metalworking and classic proportions with 3D scanning, custom carbon work, and modern Ford crate engineering, Chris Ashton delivered one of the most distinctive custom Ford GT40s ever built.
