1965 Ford GT40 Coupe

The Ford GT40 won LeMans on four occasions and was driven by some of racing's greatest legends, including Bruce McLaren, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, and Carroll Shelby. Along with its racing supremacy over Ferrari's dominate Scuderia, it design and mid-engine layout was revolutionary and aesthetically appealing that would eventually become the hallmark of any exotic supercar. The GT40s destined for the road that help the car qualify for the 50-car Group 4 racing homologation, were fitted with more luxurious trimmed cockpits. They were also equipped with the race-prepared 289 cubic-inch Ford Hi-Po engines and the competition car's finely tuned suspension.

Ford Advanced Vehicles, Ford's English design studio responsible for GT40 production, completed this example (1034) in late-1965. The car's delivery date, March 17, 1966, makes this the fourth purpose-built road car. it was given the standard road car amenities including carpeting, non-perforated leather seats, and leather door pouches. Other options included a heated windscreen, reverse lights, fender mirrors, an electric clock, two fuel gauges, mufflers, and Pine Green paint. Another notable request was the stipulation of 'no lines stripes on the rocker panels.'

The first owner of this car was James Fielding, of Gloucester, England and was the first GT40 production road coupe delivered to the United Kingdom. In 1971, Mr. Fielding traded the car to his neighbor, Paul Weldon. The exchange was for a Rolls-Royce that Mr. Fielding desired, which Mr. Weldon soon located. Mr. Weldon repainted 1034 in British Racing Green and set about some vintage racing, including the six-hour relay at Silverstone in 1973, as well as an exhibition at Le Mans and a GT40 concours at Brands Hatch, where the car took Best in Show. Mr. Weldon also used the car as a road-going vehicle.

In July of 1974, Mr. Weldon traded 1034 to fellow Englishman Anthony Hutton for Mirage M1/10001, the first of just three Mirage GT40s built. Less than a year later, 1034 was purchased by George Parlby, who relocated the car to Australia and commissioned mechanical work by a shop in Sydney. Mr. Parlby campaigned 1034 frequently at various venues until 1982. Over the next two years, a full engine rebuild was performed on 1034, as well as a repaint in the Gulf Team color livery of Powder Blue offset with Marigold stripes. In this guise, the car was presented at the 1985 Australian Grand Prix. A few years later, the car came to the United States and into the care of Harley E. Cluxton III of Scottsdale, Arizona, before passing to Mr. Walton of Arizona. Under his care, the car participated in the third Copperstate 1000. It was then passed into the hands of George Stauffer, of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, by 1995. Later that year it was purchased by David Bowden, of Queensland, Australia. Mr. Bowden entered the car in several vintage races, frequently driven by Kevin Bartlett, a two-time Australian Driver's Champion and former teammate of F1 driver Frank Gardner. These events included the 1999 Adelaide Classic, the International Supersports Cup Race at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix, and the 75th Anniversary Rally for Ford Australia, held in March 2000. By May 2001, Mr. Bowden had repainted the car in its original factory shade of Pine Green. He also gave it silver Le Mans stripes.

The current owner returned the car to the United States. It has since participated in the Carmel-By-The-sea Concours on the Avenue, The Quail, 'A Motorsports Gathering', and Car Classic Concours held at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

The car is one of 87 Mark I production examples and one of 31 GT40 Mark I road cars.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bidding reached $2,150,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013