A coveted pair of GT40s, including a 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight (chassis P/1074), and a strikingly authentic, unrestored 1967 Ford GT40 MK I (chassis P/1059), are the latest star attractions confirmed for RM Auctions’ Monterey sale, August 17–18.
Among its many achievements, the GT40 stands proudly as the first American-built racing car to take overall victory at La Sarthe, and it dominated, scoring consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 through 1969. The concurrent road cars featured similar mechanical specifications to their racing counterparts, but with slightly less austere cockpits, featuring fully upholstered interiors. In total, only 133 of all variations of the original factory GT40 were built before production ceased in 1969.
Anchoring RM’s illustrious pair is the competition-specification 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car, chassis P/1074. The first, by serial number, of several lightweight GT40s built for the J.W.A./Gulf team, this exceptional racing car was completed in 1968 and carries an incredible history from new. Finished in the Gulf team colors of powder blue with a marigold stripe, it raced extensively throughout 1968 from Daytona to Le Mans, as well as the Le Mans trials at the hands of Jacky Ickx. P/1074 was then sold to Solar Productions in 1970 and used extensively as the camera car for Steve McQueen’s legendary film Le Mans.
The 1967 Ford GT40 Mk I, chassis P/1059, represents a wonderfully authentic example of the first generation GT40 Mk I. One of just 31 production GT40 road cars, it was dispatched to the United States in December 1966 as one of 20 vehicles selected for the Mk I Promotion and Dispersal Program. In this group, it was one of six vehicles consigned to Shelby American for promotional use by their field managers. For further information, or to view a frequently updated list of entries for the sale, visit rmauctions.com or call an RM specialist at (519) 352-4575.
