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Perhaps the most successful and iconic American racing car ever built, the Ford GT40 has become an automotive icon to many enthusiasts. In so many ways, the GT40 helped shape automotive history by being so successful in its era against the European manufacturers who had dominated sports car racing for far too long.
When Ferrari backed out of the deal with Ford, Henry Ford II decided that if he could not buy the legendary sports car builder, he would beat them at their own game–and that is just what the GT40 did. Ferrari’s last win at Le Mans was in 1965 with its 250 LM, and at that time, Ford was just beginning to gain steam with its GT program. By 1966, Ferrari’s Le Mans dynasty was at an end, and Ford not only won, sweeping 1-2-3 in 1966, but its GT40 put America at the top of the podium at the Circuit de la Sarthe every year until 1969.
Despite its major success on the race track, only 30 GT40 MkI examples were specifically built for use on the road. These examples featured similar mechanical specifications to their race-winning counterparts but were outfitted with a few more luxuries for comfortable use, including fully upholstered interiors. Mechanically, they utilized softer suspension settings, more compliant brakes and a quieter exhaust. These GT40s were still very much racing cars, even though intended for the open road. As a result, many of them wound up in the hands of privateers looking to either take them racing or get the closest possible experience to driving on a race track, albeit on public roads.
On November 14, 1966, this example was delivered to Italy to its original owner Antonio Allecce after completion at the Ford Advanced Vehicles factory in Slough, Buckinghamshire, England. It was delivered new in this stunning shade of Metallic Dark Blue and powered by the High Performance 289 CI V-8 with Weber carburetors and the standard ZF 5-speed transaxle. Additional extras ordered included a high-pressure oil pump, a special race exhaust system in addition to road exhaust, and a spare wheel and tire, as documented by its original build sheet.
A few years later, Allecce sold his GT40 to Ferrari works driver Umberto Magioli, whose driving accolades included three wins at the Targa Florio, Carrera Pan America and a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Magiloli fell in love with the Ford GT40 after driving one alongside Bob Bondurant at the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours and had to have one for himself for road use.
After very minimal use, Magiloli sold this GT40 to his friend, Augusto Coli of Fino Monarsco, just south of Como. Coli owned the car for almost 15 years before putting it up for sale with a dealer in London, stating the car had never been raced. Shortly thereafter, the car was sold to a new owner in West Germany who had the car displayed in the Nürburgring Museum for several years.
The car traded hands again to another owner in West Germany who set out to restore this GT40 road car to how it left FAV when new. The task was given to RUF Automobiles; although known for its incredible Porsche-based sports cars, it’s been known to take on restoration projects that Alois Ruf found interesting. Starting with the highly original 13,500-mile example helped make the process easier, as the car had never seen any trauma. After several years and thousands of man hours, the result was a concours-quality finish capable of being shown, as well as being used and enjoyed on the road where it belongs.
The ultra-rare, road-going GT40 Mk1 is often referred to as the most beautiful variant of the GT40 with its additional trim and Borrani wire wheels. It’s an ideal acquisition for any sports car enthusiast to purchase what is practically a Le Mans-winning car suited for the road. This example is well documented by noted marque expert Ronnie Spain with a comprehensive history dossier, and it’s a ticket to be invited to any concours d’elegance and private tours, as well as vintage sporting events including the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The GT40 is the epitome of sports car design and achievement, and it’d certainly be the crown to any collection of postwar racing cars.
