autoevolution
 

Le Mans-raced Ford GT40 Roadster Is the Very Definition Of Blast From the Past

Back when Ford was all about V8s and not interested in EcoBoost turbocharging technologies, the Dearborn-based automaker had a close relationship with its British division. This cooperation is how the GT40 came to be in the 1960s, a low-slung racing car made possible by Enzo Ferrari for infuriating Henry Ford II over a deal to buy the Prancing Horse of Maranello.
1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109) 7 photos
Photo: Mecum Auctions
1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)1965 Ford GT40 Competiton Prototype Roadster (GT/109)
You know the drill; by 1966, the GT40 was so competitive that it took home the overall win at the 24 Heures du Mans. Three more victories secured the title of automotive legend for the mid-engine supercar, but there are a handful of GT40 prototype racers that are even more mythical than the ones which crossed the checkered flag at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

GT/109 is one of those cars, a Competiton Prototype Roadster that was driven in 1965 at Le Mans by Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier. The first of the two French racing drivers has two wins and ten podiums in Formula 1. Ligier, on the other hand, is known for the Equipe Ligier team and the automaker that bears his name.

Heading to auction in January at Kissimmee 2019, the open-top mechanical work of wonder is outfitted with the HiPo 289-cu.in. V8 from Shelby and the Kar Kraft-developed four-speed manual transmission. Mecum Auctions says the sale includes the Indy engine with four camshafts, which was briefly installed by Dean Jeffries back in the day.

Jeffries bought the car from Ford in 1968, keeping it until 2013. Dana Mecum then purchased the car, commissioning Harley Cluxton III of GTC Mirage Racing to perform a concours-quality restoration to its original configuration.” In other words, the front clip and air intake are faithful to how GT/109 looked in 1965.

This fellow is one of two surviving Competition Prototype Roadster models, as well as the only one to race at Le Mans. No more than five were built in total, making this GT40 a bit of a unicorn for every classic-car collector with deep pockets out there.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories