GT40 in Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" movie

hoppy · 11-23-07, 06:49 AM

After watching the movie Le Mans again,my curiosity has been stirred as to the history of the GT40 that appears briefly at the beginning of the film (in traffic entering the circuit).
It appears to be an early Mk1(four tail lights) with Borrani's,as it is a film of the 1970 race I believe it must be a geniune GT40,I don't think anyone was making replicas back then.

Doc Watson · 11-23-07, 07:07 AM

I've looked here at the 1970 results and cant find any reference to a GT40...
I wonder if that clip is from 1969? what number is on the GT40 car??? and what colour is it?

Le Mans & F2 Register - Index

Andy

woodz428 · 11-23-07, 08:32 AM

I know there were a couple GT40s ( someone probably knows the #s, I don't) equipped as camera cars for the making of "Grand Prix", they may have been used in some shots. It could also have been some older footage used in the film, as was alluded to.

Bill Hara · 11-23-07, 09:05 AM

like this?

hoppy · 11-23-07, 09:18 AM

My apologies it is not a race car but a road version that appears briefly at the beginning of the film when they show the cars entering the circuit car parks,whilst the credits are running.

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 11-23-07, 10:36 AM

think i understand the one hoppy is referring.
it is a dark colored gt40 enetering the circuit with other cars (seems just an "ordinary" car parking,at the beginning of the movie...track entrance,probably).
Also I have noted it.
The car appears for few seconds...look carefully when they show the beginning,with people entrance.

FRPGUY · 11-23-07, 10:38 AM

It must have been fun being the camera-man in that GT. Looks like he had a special seat installed. I have a friend that does that sort of filming in airplanes....... Big ones!!!

alan114 · 11-23-07, 10:45 AM

ive noticed a white GT40 at the start of the film is that the one you mean

Marcus · 11-23-07, 10:47 AM

The car Hoppy refers to is a plain white GT40 with very early bodywork on Borranis.

BTW, you can read all about the film and the GT40s used in its production at:

A French Kiss With Death *-* Bentley Publishers - Automotive Books and Repair Manuals

It´s a riveting read full of pics, facts and anecdotes such as the one of an extra who "borrowed" one of the Ferrari 512s for a night in town to impress a local girl...

Paul Brameld · 11-23-07, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klhopwood

After watching the movie Le Mans again,my curiosity has been stirred as to the history of the GT40 that appears briefly at the beginning of the film (in traffic entering the circuit).
It appears to be an early Mk1(four tail lights) with Borrani's,as it is a film of the 1970 race I believe it must be a geniune GT40,I don't think anyone was making replicas back then.

http://technorati.com/cosmos/search.....html%23138807

Bill asked the same question over 2 years ago but got no reply!!

Paul Brameld · 11-23-07, 11:28 AM

sorry link did not copy
It was a paddock thread from May 05 started by Mike Dozier.

woodz428 · 11-23-07, 11:47 AM

Bill H. where is that car now?? Pretty weird mods to it, especially the roof whack and race screen. I think the camera cars for Grand Prix had structures attaches, but don't recall any sans roof. Is the # known for that car? Is it still in that configuration or was the roof re-attached??

Ian K · 11-23-07, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodz428

Bill H. where is that car now?? Pretty weird mods to it, especially the roof whack and race screen. I think the camera cars for Grand Prix had structures attaches, but don't recall any sans roof. Is the # known for that car? Is it still in that configuration or was the roof re-attached??

The camera car for McQueen's LeMans was #1074. It was restored to original spec with a
new rear shell and spyder IIRC. Ken Saunders owns (or at least used to own) the
cut down rear shell as used on the camera car.

Ian

Mike Drew · 11-23-07, 10:27 PM

Additionally, Solar Productions entered a Porsche 908/2 for the race, to serve as a camera car. The nose panel was removed, and a big section of the tail was cut away, and two full-size 35mm cameras were installed. The goofy-looking car started the race, and actually ran the full distance, amazingly finishing in 9th place overall despite the fact that the drivers had to make pit stops every 20-30 minutes or so to change film!

Several years ago, Sports Car International magazine published a story on the making of the film Le Mans, in which photos of both the Porsche 908/2 and GT40 camera cars were featured.

hoppy · 11-23-07, 11:57 PM

It is the white car at the beginning of the film.I can't recall anything about it in the French Kiss with Death book(my library is in Oz),but it is a spectators car so would most likely not rate a mention.

91740Gt · 11-25-07, 03:49 AM

Hoppy,

I can confirm that the car you refer to is a genuine original 40 and was driven to the circuit as a road car. I was there. Right now i cannot remember the chassis number or owners name but it will come back to me and i,ll let you know.

Graham.

hoppy · 11-25-07, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91740Gt

Hoppy,

I can confirm that the car you refer to is a genuine original 40 and was driven to the circuit as a road car. I was there. Right now i cannot remember the chassis number or owners name but it will come back to me and i,ll let you know.

Graham.

Graham,

Thank you very much,I would appreciate that,

One of the things I like about this forum is the wealth of information and people willing to share that information.

alan114 · 12-08-07, 05:02 AM

hoppy it was chassis No 1039 i think

hoppy · 12-09-07, 12:48 AM

Thanks Alan,

I can now sleep at nights.