The Ford GT40 is a true icon in the automotive world, a car that came along and faced long odds in the automaker’s quest to take down Ferrari at Le Mans – and yet, exceeded all expectations. However, when it comes to the road going versions of the Ford GT40, well, not too many of those were produced over the car’s short run – just 31, in fact – and today, those cars are celebrated collectibles, meaning that this rare 1966 MkI should command quite a bit of interest when it crosses the auction block next month.
Set to be sold at Mecum’s upcoming Kissimmee, Florida auction in January, this 1966 Ford GT40 MkI is actually the very first road-going example of the sports car to be delivered to a private customer, making it an extra special vehicle, indeed. Car number P/1034 was originally sold to a customer in the UK – James Fielding of Gloucester, England, the chairman of Heenan & Froude, which built the dynos used to test Ford GT40 models. He kept the car for over five years, ultimately trading the Pine Green beauty to his neighbor for a Rolls Royce – who proceeded to race it for a number of years.
Now fully restored, this Ford GT40 retains most of its original components such as its body panels, tub, and ZF 5DS-25 five-speed transmission. It’s powered by Ford’s naturally-aspirated 289 V8 that has been dyno tested to churn out 335 horsepower (a non-original unit with a 1966 build date), and it features options including a heated windscreen, reverse lights, a clock, fender mirrors, dual fuel gauges and “road car” silencers, along with chromed Borrani knockoff wire wheels.
If all of this history wasn’t enough, this Ford GT40 MkI also has a rich racing past, having participated in a ton of events including the Adelaide Grand Prix Support Historic Race in 1985 and 1986, the Copperstate 1000, and the Stuttgart Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring in Germany in 1999, has also made appearances at the Brands Hatch Concours, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and it won the Chairman’s Award at Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace. Now, it’s looking for a new home – though acquiring this special machine will require a large outlay of cash, we have no doubt.
Comment
If I remember correctly, the road cars were Mark IIIs, there was the initial Mark I racecar, followed by the Mark II racecar then followed by the Mark IV racecar.