Monday 11th August 2014

Ford GT40 prototype: Time For Tea?

The beginning of the GT40 story analysed before being sold at Pebble Beach

---

'Simply put, one of the finest, most original, and certainly the rarest examples of the Ford GT40 in existence'. That's how Lot 134 of this Friday's RM's Monterey sale is described and why this GT40 will go to auction with an estimate of $8-10m.

We all know the story of why the GT40 came about, the failed purchase of Ferrari and Henry Ford's desire have his revenge at Le Mans. But less is known about how the idea became a four-time consecutive winner of the 24 Hours, which this video can at least contribute to.

You can see in elements such as the headlight and air intake design that GT108 comes from very early in the GT40 project. Indeed this car is described by a former motorsport engineer as 'the embryo of the programme'. Only 12 GT40 prototypes were built and this car is the only one of the six roadsters that has survived. Even by classic cars standards then it goes down as Quite Special.

RM's video perfectly mixes talking heads with some track action and enough V8 thunder too. Oh, to be a multi millionaire... See full details of the car (and keep dreaming) in the auction listing.

See the vid here.

 

[GranCab]

Wow ... what an amazing piece of history

[renaultgeek]

is it just me though or does the roadster not work at all compared to the regular GT40?

Also, where is everyone?

[atco]

I thought the special GT40 is p-1075 which one of a few cars which has won twice at Le Mans

No mention in of the British involvement in the program....

[Podie]

I thought the Lola Mk6 was the prototype....

[DonkeyApple]

renaultgeek said:

Also, where is everyone?

It's not German and it's not diesel. Also with no MPG or emissions detail, it's a very dull article.

[lasvegas1966]

either way, its a rare beasty that'll make someone very very happy, bit of a marmite car though, just got off the phone to bill eaton's wife. she has some chests in the garage full of bill's career odds and sods, a brown bag with several chassis numbers inc. seems that cs and bill and 2 others shared out the remaining cobra and gt40 numbers when they all went their seperate ways, what a find!

my own view, its not a looker.

[Krikkit]

The lights spoil it a little, but the lines are rather lovely. What a piece of history though, surely a cast-iron investment?

[gixxer]

Podie said:

I thought the Lola Mk6 was the prototype....

Did the video give any credit to Lola?
Ford of US brass SAW the Lola GT and liked what they saw. So they gave the chassis job to Lola.
Lola was responsible for the tub and assembly. Ford styled the body (wind tunnel, etc.)but it was fabbed in England. Ford helped Lola with the suspension to speed things up. I believe it was the first suspension to be designed on a computer.
To win in 1966, Ford of US was forced to design a more durable transaxle and brakes as nothing suitable was available in Europe.
The GT40 Mk4 was pretty a full Ford of US effort, in that the aluminum honeycomb tub was designed and built in the US. It was only raced in the US and at Lemans.
Those wins at Lemans '66 and '67 were the ones that Ford is talking about. I don't think Ford of US takes much credit for any successes before or after that time frame as those GT40s were an European effort using pretty much all European bits.

[Podie]

gixxer said:

Did the video give any credit to Lola?
Ford of US brass SAW the Lola GT and liked what they saw. So they gave the chassis job to Lola.
Lola was responsible for the tub and assembly. Ford styled the body (wind tunnel, etc.)but it was fabbed in England. Ford helped Lola with the suspension to speed things up. I believe it was the first suspension to be designed on a computer.
To win in 1966, Ford of US was forced to design a more durable transaxle and brakes as nothing suitable was available in Europe.
The GT40 Mk4 was pretty a full Ford of US effort, in that the aluminum honeycomb tub was designed and built in the US. It was only raced in the US and at Lemans.
Those wins at Lemans '66 and '67 were the ones that Ford is talking about. I don't think Ford of US takes much credit for any successes before or after that time frame as those GT40s were an European effort using pretty much all European bits.

On a poor connection, so can't view the video....

[Bebee]

Drive over a pothole in the uk and the windscreen will shatter, no top beam support.

[Justayellowbadge]

I believe there are 4 known roadsters.

There was a big splash about 111 when it was restored a couple of years ago.

[Fartgalen]

I love Fords. I love V8's. I love GT40's. But that video was very meh ....

[rigga]

There is a great book I have about the story if the GT40 and its development culminating in the lemans victory, some great detail and history, I've read it loads of time's and enjoy it every time I do ...highly recommended, it's called "Go like hell

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6052977-go-like...

Edited by rigga on Monday 11th August 21:20

Edited by rigga on Monday 11th August 21:21

Edited by rigga on Monday 11th August 21:24

[FlossyThePig]

After the disastrous 1964 Le Mans effort, Frank Costin and Bruce McLaren were asked to submit designs for a replacement.

Frank Costin's estimate for the project was £13,800 and Bruce McLaren's was £25,000 for two body/chassis. They were both too cheap for Ford and the McLaren design went on to win races.

Note: Information taken from "Flying on four wheels" by Dennis Ortenburger

[Fastdruid]

renaultgeek said:

is it just me though or does the roadster not work at all compared to the regular GT40?

Not just you but I'm not sure if that's to a large extent because of the GT40...

By itself it might work but you're always comparing it to the (more developed) GT40.

[gixxer]

Podie said:

On a poor connection, so can't view the video....

Yeah, it's a British thing.

[thegreenhell]

$6.3M plus commission. Some way short of the estimate, but still a big number.

[daytona365]

Don't they say you should never meet your heroes ?.........I think 'they' are probably right !