1967 Ford GT40 Coupe

When a trio of Ford GT40s finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1,2, and 3rd position on June 19th, 1966, Henry Ford II made history and, in doing so, unseated his archrival Enzo Ferrari from his Le Mans dominance, after a failed buyout, years of engineering developments, and millions of dollars invested in revenge. Two more victories at Le Mans followed for Ford, cementing the GT40's place in history.

The Ford GT40 sports racing car was a mid-engined and sophisticated piece of V8 American machinery that was constructed with assistance from an international cadre of racers, engineers, and businessmen. Among the talented list were Carroll Shelby and his crew in California, Holman-Moody of North Carolina, Lee Iacocca, and Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, England.

With FIA homologation requirements stipulated that 50 units be built, Ford satisfied this rule by building both road and racing GT40s. Some examples were built to racing specifications and sold to privateers, while others were destined for the road, outfitted accordingly, and sold through distributors. A total of 31 Mark I road cars were built and they differed only minorly in specification to their racing siblings.

This particular GT40 is a road-going Mark I example. On February 16, 1967, it was assigned by Ford to GT40 Mark I's 'Promotion and Disposal Program,' where it served as a corporate car used for press purposes. On February 24, it was delivered to 'Performance Cars' (a dealership of the Geneva-born Georges Filipinetti) wearing an Opalescent Silver Blue over black paint scheme and powered by a Mark I 289 small block engine fitted with Weber carburetors. It was displayed at the Geneva Salon Auto in March, refinished in Metallic Borneo Green.

P/1069 remained in Switzerland with Filipinetti for virtually the rest of the year and perhaps even longer. John Wyer Automotive Engineering in the UK was eager to have the car returned for use in Ford's press efforts. With the Swiss privateer's unwillingness to relinquish the vehicle in a timely manner, P/1069 has become known (by historians) as the 'Hostage Car.'

It appears that by early 1968, the car had been sent to JWA in the UK, and was road registered on number 'AHK 940F.' It served as a promotional and press vehicle in the UK during this time. The car returned to the Geneva Auto Salon later in 1969, now wearing a Goodyear logo on its doors. It was sent to a show in Finland by spring, returning back to the UK by summer. After additional UK press duties, the car was sold to its first private owner, Anthony Bamford, the first of several GT40s in his ownership. He had the car refinished in yellow by racing driver Willie Green, to reflect the JCB company (J.C. Bamford Excavators) colors.

P/1069 was later sold to Kevin McDonald, a UK-based plastics manufacturer. By this point in history, the car rode on mag wheels. It was sold to Willie Green in 1971, who later sold it to James Robinson and then Adrian Hamilton, in whose ownership it participated in Fordsport Day at Brands Hatch. By 1972, the car had about 16,000 miles; it finished first in the speed trials at Brighton. Later that year, it was traded for Bruce Ropner's Jaguar D-Type.

After trading his D-Type, Mr. Ropner headed north toward his home in North Yorkshire when the car caught on fire. An improperly closed filler cap meant fuel made contact with hot brakes, sparking a fire and damaging the car. After an insurance settlement and an ownership change, the car's ultimate acquisition by Martin Johnson resulted in the commissioning of the car's required restoration in the late 1970s by GT40 specialist John Etheridge. Upon completion, the GT40 wore its JCB yellow livery.

By the late 1990s, the car had been sold to Barney Hallingby of Connecticut, and shown at the 25th Shelby American Automobile Club convention at Lime Rock Park.

After the GT40 was acquired by racing driver and car distributor Frank Sytner, the car returned to the UK. When purchased by Thierry Moriceau, it moved to France. In 2004, P/1069 participated in the Tour Auto with Moriceau and at the Tour of Spain the same year. The subsequent Swiss owner, Conrad Ulrich, competed with the car in numerous historic races, including Mugello (2007), Dijon-Prenous (2008), Silverstone Classic (2010), Donington Park (2012 and 2013), Goodwood Revival (Whitsun Trophy race, 2012 and 2013), and at Catalunya (2013).

During 2014 and 2015, the car was given a restoration by Gelscoe Engineering, and certain sections of the chassis had to be replaced during the restoration. Upon completion, the car's racing action continued with then owner Ulrich at least twice more at Goodwood, Spa, and Imola through 2018.

When Mr. Ulrich sold the GT40, it was to the car's current caretaker, who had the car returned to its original Opalescent Silver Blue finish, as specified on the original build sheet. It has Weber carburetors, a black interior, and Borrani wire wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024