1966 Ford GT40 MKI Coupe

The Ford GT40 was a high-performance sports car and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969. It was built to win long-distance sports car races against Ferrari, winner at LeMans six times in a row from 1960 to 1965.

GT40 chassis number 1065 has a well-documented history with a continuous chain of ownership. When Christie's inspected the car in 1998 it still only showed 2,540 miles. GT40 s/n 1065 has been re-liveried twice over the years but is now back to its original color of Azure blue with the complementary original black upholstery. Built to nearly the same specifications as the racing version, this example is nonetheless fitted with a fully trimmed interior, which is original and in superb condition. The car has its original engine (number SGT 27) and ZF gearbox.

Ford built 31 examples of the GT40 MKI for road use, and this example is one of seven such cars that were consigned to the Car Merchandising Department-Ford Division as part of an Mk I dealer promotion program. It was given 'Road Car Specifications' which meant it came equipped with a Weber-carbureted 289 Hi-Po engine.

It left Ford's Dearborn headquarters on December 23rd of 1966 and was eventually assigned to Ford's Philadelphia Sales District for dealer promotion. It was invoiced to Al Grillo Ford of Lynn, Massachusetts on November 28th of 1967. Charles Hill of Dallas, Texas, then acquired the GT40 and kept it for approximately two years. In 1969, Mr. Hill sold this GT40 to Andy Harmon of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who then changed the color scheme from the factory blue to a turquoise blue with white pinstripes and non-standard Ford GT side stripes. Mr. Harmon also added MK III-style side windows and slightly flared the rear wheel lips.

In 1970, Nick Shrigley-Feigl of Great Britain acquired the car. He had it repainted purple with white stripes. A full restoration occurred from 1982 to 1984 and at the time of completion, the odometer displayed 2,035 miles. Mr. Shrigley-Feigl sold the GT40 to William Loughran of Preston, England in 1984. Mr. Loughran painted it red with black trim.

The car was later sold to Richard Allen and then, in 1989, to Alan Baker who kept it for 11 years. In 1989, the car displayed only 2,540 miles. In 2000, it returned to the United States and into a private collection in the Northwest. Graham Revell purchased the car in 2002 and in 2004 it returned to the United Kingdom when it entered the collection of Frank Sytner.

In 2009, it was given a substantial restoration that included a rebuild of the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension, and a repaint in its original color. Over $100,000 was spent on the work. The current caretaker acquired the car in 2010.

The car is currently finished in its original color of Azure Blue without racing stripes. It has Halibrand wheels and its odometer currently shows just 3,200 miles.