The Ford GT40 is likely one of the most necessary American racing automobiles constructed and designed to win the world’s most prestigious endurance race, the 24 hours of Le Mans. Not solely did it obtain this however it did it 4 consecutive occasions from 1966 to 1969. In 1966, with Henry Ford II himself in attendance at Le Mans, the MkII GT40 supplied Ford with the primary total Le Mans victory for an American producer. Along with 4 consecutive total Le Mans victories, Ford additionally gained 4 FIA worldwide titles with the GT40.
For 1968, the FIA banned limitless capability engines, making the MkII and IV each out of date. Nevertheless, the MkI, with its smaller engine, was nonetheless legally in a position to race. Using 4.7L (289 CI) Ford V-8 engines that had been enlarged to 4.9 liters with particular alloy Gurney-Weslake cylinder heads, a complete of 10 light-weight competitors GT40s had been constructed, three of which had been allotted for the J.W.A./Gulf staff. The MkI was modified and run by John Wyer in 1968 and 1969, successful Le Mans in each of these years, in addition to Sebring in 1969. In simply 24 months, Chassis No. P/1075 claimed extra world championship victories than some other GT40.
Particular to those automobiles had been the masterful Gurney-Weslake engines producing 440 HP, Stage II ventilated disc brakes, a lightened aluminum roof and light-weight physique panels. Not often do examples like this extremely necessary 1969 Ford GT40 come to market, because it is likely one of the mere 10 unique manufacturing unit competitors lightweights produced on the finish of GT40 manufacturing. They’re probably the most subtle and winningest MkI specification with the famed manufacturing unit Gurney-Weslake engine.
It was initially bought new to a privateer, and the manufacturing unit construct sheet contains the specs, with manufacturing unit data indicating: Cirrus White with Black trim, “1968 Weslake-heads, 289 c.i.d., wet-deck,” (Engine No. 67/19), and a ZF 5-speed transmission (No. NR 1005) with 4.22.:1 ultimate drive and “C” ratios. Different order particulars included BRM 10-inch and 12-inch wheels with an 8.5-inch spare, Firestone tires, anti-surge foam within the gasoline tanks, Stage II ventilated brakes and light-weight panels; additionally famous was “weighed, dry of gasoline, however together with oil and water: Entrance 845 lbs, Rear 1,110 lbs, whole 1,945 lbs.” Previous to when it was shipped, it was photographed immediately after it was constructed throughout testing at Silverstone with one of many Gulf Crew GT40s.
The automotive was dispatched to the docks on February 6, 1969 and shipped on February 15, 1969 to buyer A.F. Pires. Ferreira Pires was a profitable Portuguese driver who acquired the automotive new immediately from J.W. Automotive Engineering LTD in 1969 with the monetary help of his hometown. Pires solely competed in three races earlier than he retired from racing altogether quickly after the automotive had arrived.
The automotive was then bought in 1970 to a different racer, Emilo Marta. Marta was a profitable businessman and industrialist with large enterprise pursuits that ranged from his resort, The Resort Praia Morena, to his motor-rental firm, Volante Livre. Having already established himself on the racing scene throughout the mid-Nineteen Sixties in several Lotus race automobiles, Marta raced extensively within the Angolan worldwide sports-car races after buying the GT40. He contested for the championship, ending third total in 1970, second in 1971 and at last successful outright in 1972.
Not like most unique GT40s, this is likely one of the only a few automobiles that made it by means of its life nonetheless retaining its unique physique, chassis, engine and transaxle, as documented by GT40 knowledgeable Ronnie Spain’s file, which additionally contains photographs of the automotive being assembled new on the manufacturing unit.
Not too long ago, this instance underwent a concours-quality, nut-and-bolt restoration again to the way it was delivered. Authentic meeting particulars had been accurately refinished all the way down to the correct fittings and fasteners, and the bodywork was taken down and restored to its appropriate shade of Cirrus White. The unique chassis was stripped and repainted black, simply because it left the manufacturing unit. The unique Gurney-Weslake engine and ZF 5-speed transaxle had been rebuilt as nicely. A set of unique Firestone racing tires had been sourced and fitted to an unique set of BRM magnesium wheels.
The GT40 will at all times stay one of many best postwar racing automobiles ever produced with its unimaginable origin story and its a number of racing triumphs together with the 4 total victories at Le Mans. There’ll by no means be one other American racing automotive that has such an impression on automotive historical past because the GT40. This instance supplied right here is likely one of the most fascinating specs and comes with an unimaginable historical past, impeccable originality and a concours-quality restoration. This spectacular GT40 would make a crowning addition to any exceptional assortment and now invitations consideration by any collector of the most effective fashionable postwar sports activities automobiles.
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