MkII original car detail

[SteveB]

I started out on my build project as a MkII after a previous MkI build a few years ago, I wanted to do it better than the KVA 'C type chassis and just thought that MkII would be different. Some replies on the build thread got me thinking that the MkII should be a closer representation to a particular original car; trouble is which one? I would now like to try and get closer to an original car

I understand the early MkII's had front clips like a MkI but with the single vent front panel my clip is this type not the later raised type, so, which cars had this feature?

If anyone can point me in the right direction or provide the chassis numbers or have any photos of the cars close up that give some detail that I can incorporate in my build, or pointers on detail would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

SteveB

[josvdp]

Might some of the photos here help ?

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED MKIIs

[Andy]

Steve,
I took a few close ups of the 3 winning cars at the recent
Le Mans Classic, maybe they might help.
Private Message me you email address and ill send you them.

[Mike Dozier]

I don't believe any MK II used a MK I front clip.
The 1965 Mk II used a unique (long) nose.
The 1966/1967 had the raised wheel openings.

MikeD

[CraigB]

I believe that the Mk.IIs at Daytona 66 ran with the flatter nose profile - This was were they came across the problem with the RH wheel cutting into the body work on the banking which resulted in the higher profile being developed for Le Mans - The Book "The Ford that Beat Ferrari" has some nice shots of it being "modified" trackside.

[SteveB]

Thanks for the details, it has pointed me to the first MkII's that raced at Daytona 5/6 Feb 66 from Ronnie Spains book the cars were 1015, 1012, 1031, 1011. If the cars were modified after this, did they have the lower profile front clip at Daytona? Question is was the clip the original MkI with a single vent panel.

1031 was at one time dark metalic blue when raced as a Shelby team car at Sebring, has any one a photo or details . This could be my choice to use as a basis for my MkII

Any thing you have will be appreciated

Steve

[John W]

Steve,
it is my understanding the mkIIs, did not use the mkI nose at all, but a modified version of it to start with.
You will notice there is no central air scoop on the mkII front clips up by the screen for the screen demist/heater.
This was due to the repositioning of the spare wheel to accomodate the front mounted oil tank for the dry sump, which caused the redesign of the vent panel too, which had a slightly different shape and had external hinges. The type & location of wiper motor had to be repositioned too.

The raised wheel arch version of front mkII clip was adopted following the 1966 Daytona meeting, when the front tyres started to rub holes in the front clip, so they put raised patches on, and subsequently modified the actual clips.

Note that the central vent panel changed between races, let alone between cars !

Without a doubt your best source would be to go buy/borrow the book 'The ford that beat Ferrari' by John S Allen. It also has a picture of 1031 in the pits at Lemans in its dark blue colours, Page 116
There are other good books out there, but this one will give you loads of info.

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
John.

[SteveB]

Thanks for the pointers. I have found a copy of 'the Ford that beat ferrari' to follow up the details. If anyone has details of 1031 when raced at Daytona or any time before conversion to the later spec I'd be glad of anything you have.

Steve B

[Neal]

Here are a few pictures of one of the Alan Mann MKII.

http://www.motorclassiccorp.com/CarDetail.cfm?ID=87

[Keith Hardy]

Wow! One of the best. Thanks for sharing....

[allanfeldman]

That a really good picture of XGT3 Alan Manns spare car at 1966 Lemans. That should of course been taken over to Goodwood FoS for Dan Gurney to drive as it in the same colours as his Shelby 1966 entry. But I suppose time and money restraints. They did a good job with P1008. But it is not a MKII!!!
I have just seen the Motor Sports magazine article in the August edition on the 1-2-3 win at Le mans in 1966. Be warned though they have used pictures including the cover of P1008 in clone mode to illustrate it. Without a caption stating this is P1008 and not P1046 the Le mans winner.
Another point about the MKII the centre boss on the steering wheel was padded without the Ford GT boss and they used different make of instrumentation from the MKI.
Regards Allan

[John W]

Alan,
This is another area that differs from car to car.

Not all had padded steering wheels, and not all gauges were different.
They used a different mechanical rev counter, and used extra temp gauges (made by Stewart Warner I believe), but most of the rest were the same.
Its as confusing as hell, as pictures supposedly of the same car often show different instrumentation, especially switch type and position...

[Jim Holden]

You should also note that the cowl in fron to the windshield has a slight hump. This (I surmise) to clear the dry sump tank which was in the front on the 66 MKII "A" The small block cars cowl was essentially flat.

Jim

[Ron Earp]

Originally Posted by allanfeldman

That a really good picture of XGT3 Alan Manns spare car at 1966 Lemans. That should of course been taken over to Goodwood FoS for Dan Gurney to drive as it in the same colours as his Shelby 1966 entry. But I suppose time and money restraints. They did a good job with P1008. But it is not a MKII!!!

Chris Melia did this car, and, he is a poster here on the forum frequently and has detailed the car in another thread.

As mentioned, first and foremost, GT40s are race cars and as such are moving targets. They will have different gauges, lights, details, braces, coolers, hoses, carbs, plates, etc. from season to season if not race to race. Not to mention the bodies which are reparied etc. and will change shape as well. Actually makes it nice, hard for someone to look at your creation and say it isn't like an original because you have a lot of configurations to choose from!

Now, how many rivets held the scoop on.........

Ron

[John W]

Ron, which scoop ?? :p

[edited to corwect smelling mishcakes !]

[Pete.]

Originally Posted by Ron Earp

Now, how many rivets held the scoop on.........

Ron

Ron, I believe it was between 32 and 28 depending on the the ambient air temperature and the track temperature.........
Or was that the tire pressures?

[ijvpet]

This car is for sale. Guy wants $3 million.

[Pete.]

Originally Posted by ijvpet

This car is for sale. Guy wants $3 million.

Nah. not for me, no stereo or cup holders..

[SteveB]

Thanks for all the posts, there is another item on the front clip that has not shown up on searches.

What was the source origin of the hinges used on the radiator vent panel on the MkII??

Were the cars built in the UK with the hinges on possiby using an item from the UK parts bin or was this a hinge from the USA fitted by Shelby or Holman Moody?

SteveB.

[Chris_K]

I noticed the hinges on another thread and commented on them. Someone indicated they look very similar to early Morris Mini door hinges (the external mounted ones). Haven't confirmed that though they do look the part.

CK