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The Only Ford GT Roadster to Race at Le Mans Is for Sale
One of just two surviving Ford GT roadsters is headed to auction. What’s more, it’s the only one to have ever raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Built in March of 1965 by Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, England, chassis number GT/109 was dispatched to Shelby American to prepare it for the world’s most famous endurance race. There it was fitted with a Cobra-spec 289 V-8, a ZF five-speed transmission, and Halibrand magnesium alloy wheels to replace the original Borranis. It also got a revised front end for better aero, along with side-mounted oil coolers, rear exit vents to relieve pressure under the wheel arches, and a bigger spoiler. Further modifications included the fuel pumps and radiator expansion tank. Shelby American even worked to make engine access easier.
The car was campaigned by Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier for Ford of France and wears its subtle tricolore striped livery and number 15 to this day.
Ford fielded it alongside the GT40s driven by Phill Hill, Chris Amon, Sir John Whitmore, Innes Ireland, Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, Herbert Müller, Ronnie Bucknum, Bob Bondurant, and Umberto Maglioli, but reliability was the Blue Oval’s bugbear and none were able to finish the race. The roadster barely lasted two hours before its gearbox failed.
Following its retirement at the French circuit, the car was returned to Shelby for a rebuild and then shipped to Kar Kraft in the U.K. where it was used to help develop the the lightweight J-Car, which was originally intended to succeed the GT40 MkII. When its work in Britain was complete, it went back to Ford in Detroit.
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It was there that Hollywood stuntman and car customizer Dean Jeffries discovered it and asked Ford Racing director Jacques Passino if he could buy it. “No problem, you can have it. We’re done with the GT roadster program,” he replied.
Jeffries kept it in his collection until 2013. During his ownership, the roadster was fitted with an original HiPo 289 V-8 that Shelby had given to Jeffries. He sold the car to Dana Mecum, who had it restored to concours condition by Harley Cluxton III of GTC Mirage Racing. The roadster has collected a number of prizes since.
Mecum’s auction house will put it up for sale at Indianapolis State Fairgrounds on May 17.
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This may be the best and most rare GT there is Dean spent years on this car and made it the best as it could be. The car was a wrecked when he got it.
Historically significant for sure in the evolution of the GT-40. The roadster version being soon abandoned excepting those later 427s that were converted to compete in Can-Am when the F.I.A. pulled the plug on the 7 litre. Also the sister car to Ford of Frances other GT-40 frequently called the ‘ Un Homme et Une Femme ‘ car for it’s appearance in that film. Worth checking out the footage. This car clearly presents as an early example with a somewhat underdeveloped look and a less than stellar track record. As such I’d prefer it in ‘as delivered’ condition including the original Borrani laces and lacking the California license plate which looks clumsy hanging there. California dealer plates belong on the Daytona Coupes where Shelby put them.
It’s an interesting historical vehicle in the GT’s history. The coupe arguably looks better but I could stare at the engine’s snakes nest setup all day/