1969 Ford GT40 Mk. I Recreation

For sale by auction on Saturday 12 March 2016 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The Ford GT 40 is synonymous with Le Mans but was in fact first
seen at the Nürburgring in May 1964. Two unsuccessful years
followed until. in 1966. the GT 40 took 1 st. 2 nd and 3 rd places at
Le Mans in its Mk. II form. In 1967. a new Mk. III road
version was built which differed from the previous road and race
cars. The two square headlights were replaced with four circular
units. Inside the most significant change was that the gear change
was mounted centrally allowing either left hand or righthand cars
to be built.

To make the car more road user friendly. the
engine was de-tuned and the suspension made slightly softer. Mk.
III production ceased in 1969 with only seven examples having been
built.

On offer today is. what may be considered. one of the finest
recreations of a Ford GT 40 Mk. I in existence. This example
has been constructed using a correct and respected KVA chassis
(Kenneth Vincent Attwell) with the identity of a 1969 Ford Mercury
Cougar. extensively modified both to front and rear.

Power is provided by a small-block 289 ci. V 8 engine. fitted with
forged pistons. boss rods. screw in rocker studs. Crane camshaft. br/>Mallory electronic ignition and enlarged sump fitted with a windage
tray. Drive then passes through a rebuilt ZF gearbox as per the
original GT 40's with an Essex flywheel and AP clutch. Breathing
uses four tuned twin choke 48 IDA Weber carburettors complete with
handmade covers when not in use. Interestingly. there were many
original GT 40 parts used during this build. including front and
rear anti-roll bars. original 15" Borrani spoked wheels with
splined centre hubs and three-eared spinners (non-original) fitted
with Avon tyres. A bespoke and correct cross-over exhaust has been
fitted along with the correct body latches. alloy hinges to window
vents (as per original). adjustable pedal box (as per original). br/>ventilated disc brakes on all four corners. AP callipers front and
rear. four-point Willans harnesses. quick release steering wheel
and. as a nod to modern driving conditions. central locking.

All the dash-mounted instruments are Smiths. as original. and have
been re calibrated with black bezels. The switches are as original
and a fire extinguisher is fitted to the passenger foot-well that
is also piped to the engine bay. with an additional handheld
extinguisher in passenger door. The seats are in black with eyelets
as original. with corresponding black carpeting.

The acquisition of the individual parts is just the beginning
when constructing a car of this quality and finish. a perfect fit
was desired throughout and so many months were spent simply
fitting. taking off. shaping. re-fitting etc of every element of
the car from the bulkhead to the lights. interior and mechanical
parts. The car is finished in metallic dark blue with twin white
stripes and indeed has only driven 860 dry miles since finishing.
Complete with a full history file as well as UK V 5 C registration
documents recording the car s a 1969 Ford Sportscar. this also
benefits from an Mo T test certificate valid until April 2017.

Such is the standard of this GT 40 that it was invited to display
at the 2016 50 th anniversary Ford GT 40 event at Bruntingthorpe and
is ready today to step into and drive away.

Interested parties should note that Historics cannot be held
responsible for the current or future decisions made by the DVLA
relating to registrations.

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