Legendary Ford motor – one of just handful made – on sale for £6m

A rare, fifty-nine-year-old Ford motor, which is one of just a handful made, is going on sale for a cool £6m.

The red 1967 GT40 Mk I with a black interior is described as legendary.

It was designed to take on Ferrari in long-distance race events.

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The model went on to win four consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans races.

Another GT40, once owned by movie star Steve McQueen, sold for £10m in 2012.

The car now on sale is one of just 31 roadgoing versions made, as reported by Whats The Jam.

And it has a strong British link.

GT40s were largely developed and built by Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, Berkshire.

The listing says: “Chassis number P/1058 is one of just 31 cars trimmed to roadgoing specifications.

“The roadgoing cars were fitted with more creature comforts – albeit still very few – including fender sideview mirrors and a windshield-mounted day/night rearview mirror, reverse lights, heated windscreen, leather-trimmed seats, door storage pockets, ashtray and cigar lighter, and a fully carpeted interior.

“Further, they were equipped with Borrani wire wheels, and FORD block letters were added to the front of the car, similar to those found on the Mustang.

“Finished in Carmen red paint over a black interior, chassis P/1058 was officially assigned to the Promotion and Disposal Program in February 1967, and it subsequently joined six sister cars as a consignment to the Ford Division’s Car Merchandising Department.

“In December 1967, the GT40 was sold to noted North Shore performance dealer Al Grillo Ford (formerly Nel-Nick) in Lynn, Massachusetts.

“In late 1968, the Mk I was sold to David Carroll of Brookline Village, Massachusetts, and he repainted the car in yellow.

“In February 1969 the Ford passed to racing driver John ‘Skip’ Barber, the well-known founder of the Skip Barber Race Driving School.

“He soon sold the car to Andrew Carduner.

“In March 1969, the GT40 found more lasting ownership when it was acquired by Harvey Siegel of New York City.

“The new owner went on to keep the car for several decades, during which a full restoration was conducted in the 1980s, including a repaint in white with blue racing stripes.

“In February 2002, chassis number P/1058 was next acquired by George Getz of Paradise Valley, Arizona.

“In 2011 the GT40 was sold to the respected dealer Peter Klutt, and he occasionally presented the car at high-level events, including the National Shelby Convention at Fontana Speedway in May 2013, and the 2013 Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan.

“Later that year Mr. Klutt displayed the car on the floor of his dealership showroom.

“In August 2014 the GT40 was acquired by the consignor, an esteemed collector based in Texas.

“During his ownership the car has continued to enjoy doting care and service as needed.

“In 2021 the engine was refreshed, after which it was properly tuned on a run-in stand prior to reinstallation.

“Throughout his ownership tenure the GT40 has been exhibited selectively, winning Best in Class at Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas, in 2018, and used on solo test drives at the famed Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Formula 1 racetrack.

“In a testament to the relatively gentle use P/1058 has experienced throughout its life, compared to those that were used in wheel-to-wheel racing, riveted 1058 tags can be found throughout the car on various body panels, and it even retains the small ‘luggage boxes’ beneath the rear clamshell that, if only technically, allowed the GT40 to meet storage requirements necessary for racing qualification.

“Under current ownership the seats have been changed in favour of the lightweight racing-style design, trimmed in lightweight black fabric with brass eyelets; original seat coverings and components accompany the sale.

“The Ford GT40 continues to enjoy immense popular acclaim as one of the United States’ most successful racecars from any era, bar none.

“The GT40 has remained an iconic presence that has truly transcended to the realm of mythic legend.”

The car is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Miami, Florida on 27 February.

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