Ford GT40 (1966)

This example has been freshly inspected (May 2023) and the following history as documented extensively by the world's leading authority on the Ford GT40.

Since 1960, Henry Ford II wanted to have a Ford race at Le Mans. After dealings with Ferrari fell through, Ford decided to produce his own car and began negotiations with Lola Cars manager Eric Broadley. The agreement between the two called for a yearlong collaboration that included the sale of two Lola MK 6 chassis to Ford. Soon after Ford hired ex-Aston Martin team manager John Wyer to work with Ford Motor Co. engineer Roy Lunn on what was to become the Ford GT.

The original GT40 and MK1, designed by Lunn, was prepared at the specially established, Ford Advanced Vehicles in the UK. Abbey Panels constructed the advanced monocoque chassis and the drive train finally chosen was the 289 Ford V8 mated to a Coletti transaxle. During the GT40's racing history a variety of Ford engines and ultimately a ZF transaxle were used. The Ford GT made its debut at Nurburgring in May 1964 and followed up the appearance with 24 Hours of Le Mans. The cars failed to finish both races, a devastating blow to Team Ford. Although they were not successful at Le Mans in '64 or '65, their obvious potential led Ford to continue racing them and in 1966 Ford and the MKII made American racing history with a dominating one, two, and three finish over Ferrari at Le Mans.

Please note, this vehicle is no longer for sale.

Ford GT40 P/1053 is a GT40 with a fine, incident-free pedigree.

One of just 30 road car versions of the GT40 Mark I, 1053 was dated completed on 1st October 1966, finished in Swan White, sporting road car engine # SGT/14 and ZF transmission # NR132. It was detailed on the build sheet as intended for singer Vic Damone, but this was possibly as a publicity car for his use, not with Damone as owner, and it is unclear whether he was ever in fact involved with it or not.

Original Specification

• Delivery Date 31.10.1966
• Customer: Ford Division (Vic Damone)
• Colour: Swan White
• Trim: Black Road Trim
• Configuration: Road Car
• Engine: SGT/14. HP Ford 289 with Webers
• Transmission: NR132. ZF 5-Speed
• Wheels: Borrani 6 ½ in. & 8in.
• Tyres: Goodyear 5.50 & 7.00

The car was used by Ford themselves as a display car, first along with most of the other road cars in a dealer display tour following Ford's first win in the Le Mans 24 Hours, then sitting on the Mercury (Ford) stand at the 1968 Chicago motor show, and it featured in a promo display tour that same year for Hathaway Shirts, race driver Mario Andretti being involved with the car along the way.

It was finally sold direct from Ford on 27th January 1971, still with zero miles, to Doug Schultz in Illinois. It remained a remarkably low mileage car through its subsequent owners:

• 1971 – 800 miles - Richard Bretz
• 1972 – 1,800 miles - Brad Lundy
• 1973 - David Piper in England
• 1974 - Vic Norman
• 1974 – 3,068 miles - Hexagon of Highgate
• 1975 - Mike Wheatley
• 1978 - John Heath
• 1979 - Current Owner (44 years!)

In 1979, the car was sold to its current owner and as such, this example has been in their care for 44 years! The current owner held the car for over 10 years before finally succumbing to the itch and entering the car in competition. The final lure to the track came about with the re-launch after many years of the Tour de France, which would soon be renamed Tour Auto after conflict with the organisers of the bike event with the same title.

1053 consistently competed in Tour Auto from 1992 until 2001. After engine problems on the last day in 1992, the car retired when in the lead and on route to the last race at Paul Ricard. In 1993, 1053 returned and came 2nd overall, proving what an excellent long-distance car this was. Subsequently, the car achieved the outright win in 1996, the VHC category win in 1997, and 4 more 2nd places over the years.

In the 2000 event, which was over 5 days and visited France, Belgium and Germany, 1053 came 2nd overall to another GT40 (1062), also owned by the current owner, driven by Hans Hugenholtz. Ford had helped with the loan of Explorer SUVs for the service crews.

A few Goodwood outings, including the Whitsun Trophy GT40 race in 2013 and a couple of Tour Britannias (including 1 win) made up most of the other competition outings for 1053 before it settled into basic competition retirement in 2015.

Before commencing competition with the car and very much appreciating the importance of preserving the car's original body panels, the original panels were removed and placed in safe storage accompanying the car today. 1053 has run its original ZF transmission # NR 132 throughout its Historic race career. The original road car engine, # SGT/14, is also still with the car. The replacement engine fitted thereafter and was commissioned from and built by Steve Warrior, this engine has propelled the car through all the rest of its track career.

On a more minor, but no less interesting point, the original carpets are still in the car. 1053 has been maintained in the UK by Gary Spencer, Classic Racing Cars, a GT40 and Cobra specialist. He has supervised the strip down and preparation of all aspects for the last 20 years.

In summary, GT40P 1053 is a genuine GT40 road car with a clean, untroubled history, single ownership for the last 44+ years and a successful historic race provenance.