Photo: RM Auctions
The 8th of twelve GT40 prototypes ever built is one of the most sought-after examples of American engineering and design at its best. This one of four roadsters ever made will be up for auction at this year's RM Monterey event on Saturday, August 16th.
Estimated at a tad under $5 million, this isn't your run-of-the-mill nostalgia ride. With more than two decades in single ownership and presenting in pristine condition, this very original example of the breed was driven by iconic figures such as Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby and the famous Formula 1 driver Jim Clark.
Back in the day, the timeless drop-top prototype has been used both as a development mule and a demo car. But unlike its three roofless brothers, this is the only one sporting its original front fascia and tail. Completed in March 1965, #GT/108 was first tested at the Silverstone circuit in Great Britain before it was shipped across the Atlantic to Shelby American.
In June 1965, the same car was used as a demonstrator at a Ford board of directors meeting in Los Angeles, where the one and only Carroll Shelby took Henry Ford II for a ride to show him what this Ferrari-killer is capable of. Later that year, the car was eventually sold by the Ford Motor Company to a private collector.
Of course, this right-hand drive GT40 hasn't seen proper racing action and doesn't have the pedigree of other vehicles, but the unique history, special configuration, blistering performance and the drop-top experience are more than enough to justify the steep $5 million estimate.
In fact, chassis number GT/108 is a steal compared to the second oldest Ford GT40, auctioned for a cool $7 mil.
Back in the day, the timeless drop-top prototype has been used both as a development mule and a demo car. But unlike its three roofless brothers, this is the only one sporting its original front fascia and tail. Completed in March 1965, #GT/108 was first tested at the Silverstone circuit in Great Britain before it was shipped across the Atlantic to Shelby American.
In June 1965, the same car was used as a demonstrator at a Ford board of directors meeting in Los Angeles, where the one and only Carroll Shelby took Henry Ford II for a ride to show him what this Ferrari-killer is capable of. Later that year, the car was eventually sold by the Ford Motor Company to a private collector.
Of course, this right-hand drive GT40 hasn't seen proper racing action and doesn't have the pedigree of other vehicles, but the unique history, special configuration, blistering performance and the drop-top experience are more than enough to justify the steep $5 million estimate.
In fact, chassis number GT/108 is a steal compared to the second oldest Ford GT40, auctioned for a cool $7 mil.
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