How do you find an original Gold GT40 - maybe a Mk III

Lee Giannone · 11-14-06, 04:11 PM

I've been a fan of GT40s for 30+ years and I recently purchased a '06 GT. As a young boy (I'm 48 now) I was fascinated with all racecars and the GT40 in particular. In 1967 or possibly 1968, I spent the day with my father at his work, which was managing an aviation business at Mercer County Airport in Trenton, NJ. On that day, a man drove onto the general aviation area in a Gold GT40, parked it, got into his airplane and flew off. I spent the rest of the day admiring the car as only a young boy can. To this day I consider that moment was when I knew I wanted to have one some day.
I suppose that car may have been a street MK III, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know where I could track down if there was a Gold MK III ever built and sold into the NJ area? Also, was there anyone making reproduction in '67/'68 or street versions of MK IIs?

I have always been very curious about that car. Your collective wisdom would be appreciated.

Mark Clapp · 11-14-06, 05:11 PM

Hey Lee, you could check Ronnie Spains book as it lists most of the original colors the cars came in. I'm betting it was a MKI road car you saw. There were no replicas back in '68 and there were no street versions of MKIIs.

Bill Hara · 11-15-06, 06:26 AM

Hi Lee

2 gold GT40s that I know of, one was a Mk III, chassis 1102 which was Gold in 1967 before being painted dark blue.
The other was a Mk I chassis 1051 once (still?) owned by Chris MacAllister and featured on the cover of a Ford sales brochure of the day.

This info is courtesy of John S Allen and his Ford GT40 Osprey Automotive book.

Cheers

Bill.

Lee Giannone · 11-15-06, 11:18 AM

Bill,
Thanks for your help. Following is a link to a photo of a Gold 1966 GT that was provided by a UK member of the Ford GT Forum. I wonder if this could be 1051?

The Ford GT Forum - Any GT40 Gurus out there?...I posted this on GT40s.com

BenL · 11-15-06, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSR1975

[indent]Following is a link to a photo of a Gold 1966 GT that was provided by a UK member of the Ford GT Forum. I wonder if this could be 1051?

That's 1102, a Mk III. Reading it's history in the Ronnie Spain book, it looks like it stayed in the UK during its early days.

The Spain book says that 1051 was in the UK until 1970, and then sold to someone in Rhode Island (USA) in January.

1016, which came in 3rd at Le Mans in 1966, is painted gold. It spent time in the US during that period, but I would be surprised that someone would allow the car to be used casually.

---------

Perhaps it's time to make a list of chassis numbers and colors like I did with: http://bens-pics.home.comcast.net/GT40/numbers.html

**jimbo** · 11-15-06, 07:34 PM

Lee, was the car LHD or RHD? That would tell you quite a lot, I think; there were no LHD Mk Is made in the original production that I know of, or have ever read of. I think the Mark III cars were LHD, but I am not certain. Or some were....?

**jimbo** · 11-15-06, 07:36 PM

I stand corrected, actually; the car in the photo is RHD, but I think in the Mk III cars the gearshift was located centrally, and that was why the linkage did not function as well.

FRPGUY · 11-16-06, 08:50 AM

Ben, #1051 could have belonged to a Bill Ratty, I think that's his name. He used to bring it up to Bryer Race track, NH in the '70's to run the COM events & driving schools. I wonder where it is now. I remember it being gold or yellow.

Doc Watson · 11-16-06, 01:19 PM

Maybe it was P1066.........right hand drive....road car MkI

Originally painted in opalescent silver grey in 1966 and delivered to a Ford dealer in Massachusetts.

"It was then sold to Robert Monk in Hulmeville, Pennsylvania, who had it resprayed in gold mist. In November 1968 it was sold to Herb Wetanson of Long Island, New York....." Ref Ronnie Spain page 265.

The car is now owned by a ford dealership in the uk and its currently in gulf colours.

Could this be the car you saw? seems to be the right part of the world at the right time in the right colour.......

Also P1051 was a MKI painted in Malibu gold and as stated was a ford press car for the UK and remained in the uk until 1970 when it was sold stateside so I will put my money on P1066.

Any more for any more?

Andy

josvdp · 11-17-06, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Watson

The car is now owned by a ford dealership in the uk and its currently in gulf colours. Andy

Can you reveal which/where ? - by PM if preferred

Doc Watson · 11-17-06, 06:37 AM

Sheffield I believe...... its public knowledge, as its in Ronnie Spains book.

Andy

Lee Giannone · 11-17-06, 01:45 PM

Doc -
Thanks for the background. The Robert Monk in Hulmeville, Pennsylvania connection is very interesting. Hulmeville is just down the road a few miles from where I grew up. I have returned to the area and in fact, my daughters play for the Hulmeville soccer club and I'll be there all day tomorrow. It's a pretty small town with lots of long-time residents and I'll bet someone will know who Robert Monk was/is. It is also not a terribly affluent area and a GT40 would certainly have stood out cruising around town in 1968.
I let you know if I find anything out. Maybe I'll just drive the new GT to the tournament tomorrow and see if anyone says, " Hey - I knew a guy who had one of those once". I can only hope.

Grandpa · 11-18-06, 09:28 AM

I think these photos appeared on this forum but can't seem to find the post now. It is labeled as 1051. Could this be the one? It was said to be gold though the photos don't show it well.

Rex · 11-18-06, 10:31 AM

This was the Bill Ratty GT40. This is 1051. The current owner still has the SNO 250D plate. The car is fitted in race trim now. It is in central USA. It is currently being prepped for a vintage race season next year. The gold is/was very light. It is no longer gold. A right hand drive MK I. This is the GT40 used in the Ford produced brochure for sales literature in the 60's. This GT40 sees a lot of on track action. Rex

Rick Muck- Mark IV · 11-18-06, 10:39 AM

Those photos are from Watkins Glen circa 1969 and taken by a friend who has posted here (Fitter) I also have some pictures from the same event. I posted them here long ago.

Rick

Bob Childress · 11-18-06, 07:02 PM

Is this the same car with a new paint job shown by racingicons.com as 1051?

FRPGUY · 11-19-06, 11:39 AM

Amazing to see this car after all these years! I met a fellow at Mark Worthington;s house, that said he knew Bill Ratty and that Bill had two GT40's. Anyone know for sure?

Rex · 11-20-06, 11:50 AM

Bob,
Yes, it is one and the same 1051. Now G-W powered and a formidable competitor in any vintage race.
Rex

Bob Childress · 11-20-06, 12:46 PM

1051 is fabulous. I saw it at Monterey. From the outside it had different wheels, the rear clip had wide flares, twin nostrils were replaced with a single, and I think the door locks were removed. This is as good as it gets, very distinct and well done.