Lynx GT1 The 1,200HP Street-Legal Ford GT1 You’ve Been Waiting For

The early 2000s were a golden era for GT1 racing, where the roar of high-revving V12s and fire-breathing V8s echoed across legendary circuits. This period saw iconic machines like the Aston Martin DBR9, Maserati MC12, and Ferrari 550 dominate the track, piloted by some of the world’s best drivers. Ford’s mid-engined GT seemed destined for GT1 success, and with Matech Concepts taking the reins under Ford Racing’s blessing, a GT1-spec Ford GT hit the grid. However, it only competed for a single season, disappearing into obscurity until now.

Meet the Lynx GT1, a modern-day reincarnation of the Matech GT1, designed as a street-legal hypercar with an astonishing 1,200 horsepower. Developed in collaboration between Lynx Motors and Graham Rahal Performance (GRP), this beast brings the raw aggression of the original GT1 racer to the road, delivering an experience as close as possible to its Le Mans heritage.

While full technical specifications are still under wraps, industry insiders suggest that Lynx Motors may have acquired Matech’s original assets after the Swiss company ceased operations. This would explain why the Lynx GT1 stays so true to the original GT1 design rather than being a ground-up reinterpretation. The production run is reportedly limited to just 28 units, potentially dictated by the availability of original GT1 components rather than requiring donor Ford GTs from the original 4,050-unit production.

Engineering a Modern-Day Le Mans Legend

Beyond its undeniable aerodynamic presence, the Lynx GT1 boasts a Ricardo six-speed manual transmission, a rare treat in the hypercar world. That gearbox will have its work cut out managing the 1,200hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8 derived from the original Ford GT powerplant. Given that the factory-spec engine was already a monster, known to gain substantial power with minor modifications, the Lynx GT1 could push this classic Ford V8 to its absolute limits.

Inside, the car features a more refined interior than its race-focused predecessor, blending high-end materials with a motorsport-inspired cockpit. Unlike the stripped-down GT1 racers of old, this version will offer a bespoke, road-legal interior without sacrificing its track-ready DNA.

The Perfect Partnership for a Historic Revival

The partnership between Lynx Motors and Graham Rahal Performance is a match made in motorsport heaven. Lynx brings deep expertise in restomod engineering, while GRP, led by professional racer Graham Rahal, offers unparalleled knowledge in high-performance vehicle development. Speaking on the project, Rahal stated:

“I’m beyond excited for our company to be involved in something like the GT1 Project. Not only are we helping bring this automobile to market, but we’re also manufacturing it at our facility in Indianapolis. The Ford GT40 was an icon of its time, and this project allows us to create a high-quality, modern version that lives up to its legacy.”

Should the Lynx GT1 successfully reach production, it promises to be one of the most extreme road cars ever built. While pricing details remain unknown, expect a multi-million-dollar price tag befitting such an exclusive machine.

For those eager to own a piece of Ford GT history but lacking the budget for a brand-new GT1, the used Ford GT market remains a strong alternative, with many already sporting upgraded superchargers for that extra punch.

One thing is sure: the Lynx GT1 is bringing the forgotten era of GT1 racing back to life, and it’s doing so in the most spectacular way possible. Buckle up, because this could be the ultimate fusion of Le Mans-bred engineering and street-legal insanity.