What happens when a supercar and restomod builder spends 30 years perfecting a legend? You get the ultimate evolution of the Ford GT40.

Based in South Africa, Cape Advanced Vehicles (CAV) has spent decades handcrafting more than 220 highly customized examples of the storied racing icon. Now, they are combining a lifetime of expertise with cutting-edge engineering to unleash their most modern, powerful, and ambitious creation yet.

This is the CAV GT Mk II, a machine that carries the legendary soul of the original Ford GT40, built upon a 21st-century chassis engineered for the modern era.

Reimagined classic

You don't need the famous light blue-and-orange paint job to know exactly what inspired this car. Yet, from the sharp, modern headlamps to the familiar curves of its silhouette, the GT Mk II is clearly more than an inspired example. Every line, vent, and panel has been completely reimagined, balancing stunning looks with pure aerodynamic function.

In a significant deviation from the original, the GT Mk II features larger overall dimensions, offering usable cargo space. Thanks to the expanded cabin, drivers over six feet tall can comfortably clear the roof without the need for a traditional “Gurney Bubble.” Furthermore, getting in and out is now an effortless experience thanks to modern swan-wing doors, which replace the original design that awkwardly extended right into the roof.

Restomod creation

While it retains that classic GT40 silhouette, CAV considers this creation a true restomod. Utilizing an established mid-engine architecture, the chassis features a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum for maximum rigidity. Judging by the pillars and roofline, the donor car becomes clear: this is almost certainly a second-generation Audi R8, meticulously re-engineered to create the modern GT Mk II.

The foundation for power starts with Audi’s naturally aspirated 4.2L V8, but CAV has radically transformed it. A custom twin-supercharger setup forces massive amounts of boost into each cylinder bank, fed through a beautifully sculpted carbon-fiber intake.

The Result is an absolute monster of an engine pumping out 800 PS and 879 Nm of torque, screaming all the way to a 9,000 rpm redline.

Available options for getting all that grunt to the pavement include a straightforward manual or a six-speed, semi-automatic single or dual-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive comes as standard, and there are six power modes to choose from.

The lightweight chassis and carbon fiber body weigh in at 1,347 kgs. With that, it can sprint from 0 to 96 km/h in 3 seconds flat and reach 329 km/h on the top end.

The suspension features KW Variant 4 three-way adjustable coil over dampers, paired with massive Brembo brakes, sporting eight-piston calipers up front and four-piston units at the rear, for serious clamping force. Finally, an ultralight Inconel exhaust with active valving allows the boosted V8 to play a glorious, high-rpm symphony that commands attention at all times.

60th anniversary of Ford's 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966

Cape Advanced Vehicles is launching the car to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Ford's historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966. Only 40 of these cars will be built, and 20 of those will be painted in Miles Blue metallic with orange and gold.

Two more special edition cars will follow, and if they're an homage to the Le Mans winning cars, it's going to be black with silver stripes, and the other one in gold and red.