Ford GT40 roadster could make millions in Monterey

The first prototype of just five Ford GT40 roadsters is up for auction with RM Sotheby's at Monterey Car Week.

Ford GT40 Roadster for sale Monterey

The first prototype of just five Ford GT40 roadsters is up for auction with RM Sotheby’s at Monterey Car Week.

Among the rarest variants of one of the greatest racing cars ever, the GT40 is estimated to make up to $9 million (£7.4 million) when it crosses the block on August 15 2019.

The open version of a Le Mans winner

Ford GT40 Roadster for sale Monterey

The roadsters were manufactured as a part of the batch of 12 prototypes that came before the 87 production GT40s. This particular car is the eighth of those 12, and the first of five roadsters.

Following testing at Silverstone in 1965 with Dickie Atwood and Sir John Whitmore, the roadster made its way over to the USA with Shelby American, on a ‘temporary importation for test purposes’ basis.

The car was tested at Shelby’s Imperial Highway headquarters (next to LAX airport), then shown to Ford executives. This is allegedly the only GT40 that Henry Ford II, the man behind the mammoth GT40 programme, ever rode in.

A representation of this car will likely be in the upcoming Ford v Ferrari movie, due out later this year.

F1 star at the wheel

Ford GT40 Roadster for sale Monterey

This roadster is also believed to be the only GT40 that F1 ace Jim Clark ever drove. The legendary champion demonstrated the car during some downtime at the October 1965 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

It also served as a testbed for the upcoming Mk IV Ford GT, which would go on to win Le Mans in 1967.

Bouncing between various owners over subsequent years, the car was raced on and off by a latter-day owner. His faithful-to-period restoration meant it wasn’t that competitive, but originality matters more to most collectors.

The condition of this GT40 Roadster undoubtedly contributes to its hefty valuation. Prior to the sale in Monterey, it has been in the owned by the same collector for 26 years.

Read more

Related Articles

Ethan Jupp
Ethan Jupp
I'm Content Editor at MR. Road trips music and movies are my vices. Perennially stuck between French hot hatches and Australian muscle cars.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

Salon Privé London to host three days of champagne and supercars

Salon Privé London returns to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea next month, with special celebrations of McLaren and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Kia EV9 is World Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 is the latest pure electric car to be named World Car of the Year – and it also scooped the World Electric Vehicle 2024 prize

New Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive

The retro-styled ID. Buzz people carrier is now offered with 340hp, making for an unlikely addition to Volkswagen’s sporty GTX range.

How to protect your car with an OBD port locking device

We explain how to prevent your car being stolen by criminals targeting its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.