RE: Superformance 50th anniversary GT40 announced
Discussion
coppice said:
I am no GT40 expert (still love 'em ) but this is a Mk III I think , the 'roadgoing ' version ? The length of the car and the wires suggest it , but ISTR that Mk IIIs had quad round lights ?
Yes, Mk3's had the quad round lights and had extended rear bodywork, which this isn't, it's a Mk1 (or a good replica/continuation of a Mk1)This is a Mk3, you can see the extended length rear here.
Quad lamps
PH said:
As with all Superformance GT40s, this car isn't so much a replica as a doppelganger: more than 90 per cent of the parts are interchangeable with an original GT40,
Yes and no. When they say interchangeable, they fit but they're hardly the same. An example, the pedal box. Originals were cast magnesium alloy. SPF's are fabricated steel. They *look* identical but they are very very different. PH said:
and the project has been coordinated by John Sadler of Safir GT40 Spares, holder of the GT40 trademark. The chassis is an exact replica of the first one, "stiffer than any other chassis on the market and made up of over 244 laser-cut or bent and pressed parts."
It's not really an exact replica though, the chassis and many of the parts are simplified, purely as to make them truly as per the original would push the price to the ridiculous. That doesn't make them bad, they are very close replicas (technically continuations, Mk 6?) which have been built to be as accurate as possible while down to a reasonable price. If you want a toolroom copy it would cost you far far more.
PH said:
The Superformance GT40 does feature some concessions to modernity though, with air-con, an adjustable pedal box
The originals also had an adjustable pedal box. No air con though. Although the very very early ones had seat ventilation (which is partly why the large seat rivets). It didn't work though so they abandoned it.
On a related note, you can tell which are the really early cars as they have extra venting on the top of the spider behind the doors.
coppice said:
Can I claim my ten pounds for the Innes Ireland spot ?
Yes certainly, would you be alright taking a couple of old white fivers I found down the back of the sofa...? 
As I type this I have in front of me the May '71 issue of Motorsport mag with a GT40 for sale at Brian's Classics in Manchester in the classifieds...
''FORD GT40 Chassis 1014, this car has had very little use from new, latterly converted for road use. Concours condition throughout. All under-bonnet parts, wishbones etc, chromed or cadmiumed. Body sprayed Rolls Royce sable, interior finished in beige, Wilton carpet, beige leather with suede inserts. Absolutely tractable on the road and geared for 185mph''.
No price, sadly, I'd be tempted!
P5BNij said:
Yes certainly, would you be alright taking a couple of old white fivers I found down the back of the sofa...?
Given the value of a white fiver these days he may take you up on that!!P5BNij said:
As I type this I have in front of me the May '71 issue of Motorsport mag with a GT40 for sale at Brian's Classics in Manchester in the classifieds...
''FORD GT40 Chassis 1014, this car has had very little use from new, latterly converted for road use. Concours condition throughout. All under-bonnet parts, wishbones etc, chromed or cadmiumed. Body sprayed Rolls Royce sable, interior finished in beige, Wilton carpet, beige leather with suede inserts. Absolutely tractable on the road and geared for 185mph''.
And #1014 was bought in 1971 by a certain Vince Woodman (probably from that dealer given the date)''FORD GT40 Chassis 1014, this car has had very little use from new, latterly converted for road use. Concours condition throughout. All under-bonnet parts, wishbones etc, chromed or cadmiumed. Body sprayed Rolls Royce sable, interior finished in beige, Wilton carpet, beige leather with suede inserts. Absolutely tractable on the road and geared for 185mph''.
aeropilot said:
coppice said:
I am no GT40 expert (still love 'em ) but this is a Mk III I think , the 'roadgoing ' version ? The length of the car and the wires suggest it , but ISTR that Mk IIIs had quad round lights ?
Yes, Mk3's had the quad round lights and had extended rear bodywork, which this isn't, it's a Mk1 (or a good replica/continuation of a Mk1)https://www.girardo.com/available/1966-ford-gt40-m...
Fastdruid said:
PH said:
As with all Superformance GT40s, this car isn't so much a replica as a doppelganger: more than 90 per cent of the parts are interchangeable with an original GT40,
Yes and no. When they say interchangeable, they fit but they're hardly the same. An example, the pedal box. Originals were cast magnesium alloy. SPF's are fabricated steel. They *look* identical but they are very very different. PH said:
and the project has been coordinated by John Sadler of Safir GT40 Spares, holder of the GT40 trademark. The chassis is an exact replica of the first one, "stiffer than any other chassis on the market and made up of over 244 laser-cut or bent and pressed parts."
It's not really an exact replica though, the chassis and many of the parts are simplified, purely as to make them truly as per the original would push the price to the ridiculous. That doesn't make them bad, they are very close replicas (technically continuations, Mk 6?) which have been built to be as accurate as possible while down to a reasonable price. If you want a toolroom copy it would cost you far far more.
One of the greatest cars and motorsport stories ever, IMHO. I could certainly live with a Superformance version if I had to!
Edited by MikeT66 on Wednesday 30th January 06:47
MikeT66 said:
aeropilot said:
coppice said:
I am no GT40 expert (still love 'em ) but this is a Mk III I think , the 'roadgoing ' version ? The length of the car and the wires suggest it , but ISTR that Mk IIIs had quad round lights ?
Yes, Mk3's had the quad round lights and had extended rear bodywork, which this isn't, it's a Mk1 (or a good replica/continuation of a Mk1)https://www.girardo.com/available/1966-ford-gt40-m...
take my money now (if only I had enough)aeropilot said:
Ooooffff....... take my money now (if only I had enough)
Absolutely - my perfect dream car right there, too, aeropilot. I may have become slightly obssessed with that car when it was for sale. I wonder who got it in the end? take my money now (if only I had enough)Another edit, slightly OT...
For GT40 fans, don't forget this is coming this summer - hopefully in time to coincide with Le Mans...
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950186/
Edited by MikeT66 on Wednesday 30th January 14:21
I may be doing the knowing just enough to get things really, really, really wrong here but....
Weren’t 1075 and it’s 1968/69 siblings very different beasts under the skin compared with previous GT40 iterations?
I have a vague recollection of John Wyer’s team having built them from the ground up on a structure owing more to the Mirage, J-Car, and Mk 1V than to the original GT40 using exotic features like aluminium honeycomb panels and the like...
Weren’t 1075 and it’s 1968/69 siblings very different beasts under the skin compared with previous GT40 iterations?
I have a vague recollection of John Wyer’s team having built them from the ground up on a structure owing more to the Mirage, J-Car, and Mk 1V than to the original GT40 using exotic features like aluminium honeycomb panels and the like...
bigbadbikercats said:
I may be doing the knowing just enough to get things really, really, really wrong here but....
Weren’t 1075 and it’s 1968/69 siblings very different beasts under the skin compared with previous GT40 iterations?
I have a vague recollection of John Wyer’s team having built them from the ground up on a structure owing more to the Mirage, J-Car, and Mk 1V than to the original GT40 using exotic features like aluminium honeycomb panels and the like...
1075 was a normal steel chassis but was brand new for 1968 (one of three) and so had everything learnt from all of the previous cars. Including Alan Mann's lightweights and the Mirage cars. Weren’t 1075 and it’s 1968/69 siblings very different beasts under the skin compared with previous GT40 iterations?
I have a vague recollection of John Wyer’s team having built them from the ground up on a structure owing more to the Mirage, J-Car, and Mk 1V than to the original GT40 using exotic features like aluminium honeycomb panels and the like...
P/1074 (which was a converted Mirage car), P/1075 and P/1076 had carbon fiber-reinforced bodywork that was first used on the M1.
ducnick said:
Last GT40 i sat in was highly uncomfortable stationary let alone in motion. Fine if you are shorter than 5’9”, otherwise forget driving one very far.
Le Mans Coupes have had clients up to 6'4" (just like Dan Gurney was!) with the thin seat, pedal box moved forward and gurney bubble. I do long distances in ours and it is very comfortable - I'm 5'11".Edmundo2 said:
Love the real ones. Don't see many replicas I like as most tend to have the wrong profile tyres etc and all too often appear to be a bit too polished. Front arches look wrong on this..?
Love Adrian Neweys car
This is 100% accurate to 1075 having had full access to the car to build this from. the later MK1s were wide bodied, the pre '66 cars - Like Neweys were narrow bodied. Love Adrian Neweys car
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff