Photo: Mecum Auctions
While Ford is priding itself on the class win for the GT at Le Mans fifty years after the GT40 obliterated everything on the track, one of the most desirable GT40s comes out of hiding. Chassis no. P/1028 is certain to fetch a lot of millions of dollars at auction.
The first and foremost reason is that GT40 P/1028 is one of the earliest road specification cars, the first of its kind to be delivered to North America. When was that? As per the car’s record sheet, the day was February 8, 1966. Another thing the record sheet brings to light is the “fitted refrigeration unit.”
That’s right, dear reader, this is the only Ford GT40 road car equipped with air conditioning from new. More than that, the mid-engined bruiser boasts leather trim, luggage boxes, an undersealed chassis, and a unique paint finish. According to the peeps at Mecum Auctions, this old-school supercar has been with the same family for nearly 40 years. How’s that for provenance?
Albeit the period photographs in the gallery don’t make it justice, P/1028 is in top condition thanks to a recently finished four-year restoration. This old-timer also happens to show just about 11,000 miles (17,700 km) on the odo.
Under the hood, a high-performance 289 cu. in. V8 fed by a single Holley 4-barrel carburetor develops 335 horsepower and sends all that grunt to the rear axle via a 5-speed ZF manual lifted from the race-prepped car. Last, but certainly not least, GT40 historian Ronnie Spain knows this car very well.
According to Ronnie, “it is impossible to get a cleaner bill of health than this as far as originality of a GT40 chassis is concerned.” So there you have it. If you want the GT40 road car to rule all other GT40 road cars, you’d better get to the Mecum auction in Monterey with your pockets lined in gold.
That’s right, dear reader, this is the only Ford GT40 road car equipped with air conditioning from new. More than that, the mid-engined bruiser boasts leather trim, luggage boxes, an undersealed chassis, and a unique paint finish. According to the peeps at Mecum Auctions, this old-school supercar has been with the same family for nearly 40 years. How’s that for provenance?
Albeit the period photographs in the gallery don’t make it justice, P/1028 is in top condition thanks to a recently finished four-year restoration. This old-timer also happens to show just about 11,000 miles (17,700 km) on the odo.
Under the hood, a high-performance 289 cu. in. V8 fed by a single Holley 4-barrel carburetor develops 335 horsepower and sends all that grunt to the rear axle via a 5-speed ZF manual lifted from the race-prepped car. Last, but certainly not least, GT40 historian Ronnie Spain knows this car very well.
According to Ronnie, “it is impossible to get a cleaner bill of health than this as far as originality of a GT40 chassis is concerned.” So there you have it. If you want the GT40 road car to rule all other GT40 road cars, you’d better get to the Mecum auction in Monterey with your pockets lined in gold.
Google News