GT40 & Triumph Spitfire at Le Mans

[ChrisL]

I'm trying to source a picture of the GT40 together with the 1964 Le Mans Triumph Spitfire (Works Team). My preference would be of one at the 1964 Le Mans, but any picture would be gratefuly accepted.

It has been mentioned before on this forum that the GT40 is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its entry into the Le Mans 24HR, but it also happens that Triumph are celebrating a Le Mans anniversary of their own… the 50th since their first entry and their 40th since their return in the Triumph Works Spitfire. As part of the celebration, the Triumph Sports Owners Association in Australia will include a GT40 display at their next concourse event. A picture of the GT40 together with the Triumph would add a nice touch.

This picture will not be used for profit, nor will it be shown or published anywhere other than at this one display.

Works Spitfire

 

Hi Chris

I did a little research on the Le Mans Spitfires a while back. Here's a page I put together on the team for Sebring, in association with factory/works driver Duane Feuerhelm.

Factory Triumph Spitfires - Sebring 1965

The only GT40/Spitfire photo I have follows, is not great and it's from 1965, but it's a start if you've not got another - and it is a little way ahead of the GT40... I was given the OK to use the image a few years back. There's a photocredit of 'Washington'. I don't have it in any higher resolution.

If I find any more I'll let you know.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Jim Glickenhaus]

Great Photo!

 

The GT-40 was probably getting ready to lap the Spitfire again and again.

 

Or perhaps the GT40 was slowing down with a broken gearbox or a cracked cylinder head. One Spitfire managed to finish the '65 Le Mans - unlike all 6 GT40s... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Hear hear, Rob....GT40s are great cars but they're not perfect. Neither are Spitfires, but that year they had a better race.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ChrisL]

Thanks Rob. That really is a great picture. I havn't been able to locate a 1964 shot but this will be great. Let me guess that the car immediately behind is a Ferrari P1, followed by a MKII. Anyone care to guess what the car at the back is?

 

Cheers Chris

The Ferrari behind the Spitfire is the Bandini/Biscaldi Ferrari 275P2. The car behind the GT40 is another Ferrari, not sure which one.

Rob

 

[DON SILAWSKY]

CHRIS: There is a firm in France that specializes in photographing every car that participates in the Le Mans trials or actual race. I know firsthand that their files go well back to the 1960s, as I am getting photos of my GT40 #P1040 at the 1966 Le Mans trials and race. Although they usually work from a request for photos of a specific car number, perhaps they could be helpful to you with a more general request. The address on their letterhead is: Washington Photo, S.A.R.L. Launic 194 Bis Rue Nationale 72000 Le Mans; telefax 02.43.41.35.83. A friend who speaks French has been doing all of the contacts with Washington Photo for me, so I do not know if anyone there understands English. This is very likely the "Washington" that one of the other folks who responded to your message mentioned as a photo credit on material he had.

 

[ChrisL]

The event was a great success. The weather was faultless and a great time was had by all.

 

[ChrisL]

The GT40 drew lots of attention.

 

Chris VERY COOL!! It looks great. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif In Canada we're still covered in snow and Below O*F. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif