P1001

Jim Rosenthal

Supporter
One of our members, Don Silawsky here in Annapolis, has some magnesium Halibrands for sale... would fit your car, more than likely.

Glad you are pressing on. Building a GT40, no matter where the bits originate, is not for the faint of heart. I speak from experience. Don't give up.
 
See page 59 of John S. Allen's book "GT40 The Legend Lives On". The five-spoke wheels on GT40P/1014 have the center spokes as natural silver metal (possibly bead blasted or painted) with polished outer rims. I think they look spectacular and really add to the rare look of the car over the more common GT wheels.

Mark C.
 
Andrew since were using the same source Ronnie. I always though that the early cars 1965 onwards had the option of Halibrands when they could get hold of this since these were in short supply? If the GT40's that raced in 1965 could use 6 spoke aluminium type wheels surely they would have been seen on many more of them? Witness GT40P/1006 debut on Borrani wires in the 1965 Le Mans.
The racing wheels on a MKI (I do not class the Mirage as a MKI) prior to 1968 were always Borrani wires and Hailbrands. I have pictures of a GT40 at the 1966 Le Mans on 6 spoke BRM type wheels and in 1967 the Mirage MI and J-3 (sorry it was not J-4) the Le Mans test MKIV had them on. In the Ebook that Claude set me it has a picture of these Amercian made wheels. And there profile is different from the JWAE and BRM that followed. I was always of the opinion (remembering the source) that the BRM/JWAE wheels were available in 5 or 6 spoke?
Good luck with your build.
Regards Allan
 
P/1042 (1001)

David Brown over in NZ has sent some photographs and I understand the car is in the paint shop. Also, very excitingly, I believe Bruce Mclaren's old engineer has been over to the workshop to check out the project.. see Face Book message below-

Tony Gallagher
4:23pm Jul 25
Yes Andrew, Bruce McLaren's old chief mechanic Wally Wilmott dropped in the
other day to take a look at the project..... :
. At Silverstone, will give you a
call. Best, Tony
See Conversation
 

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I didn't know anything about Walter Willmott, but how cooll is this? He set up Mclaren's with Bruce in the early 1960s and lives in the city where Classic Car Developments are based. I cannot ask for someone with better credentials than this to oversee the final stages of my GT40 project. This is from the Bruce Mclaren movie website-
The Bruce McLaren Movie Official Website
 
I didn't know anything about Walter Willmott, but how cooll is this? He set up Mclaren's with Bruce in the early 1960s and lives in the city where Classic Car Developments are based. I cannot ask for someone with better credentials than this to oversee the final stages of my GT40 project. This is from the Bruce Mclaren movie website-
The Bruce McLaren Movie Official Website

I met Wally Willmott 2011 in Silverstone where he was responsible for Jay Esterer’s Whitsun Trophy winning #1 Chinook-Chevrolet Mk 2. This was the event’s fastest race [average speed >170 km/h] and Wally drove the victory lap in honor for the win. Certainly the right guy with the right experience! Very cool indeed!

Wonderful person with a lot to tell! I asked him about the background story when in June 1966 he and Bruce McLaren installed in Modena a Serenissima engine in F1 McLaren M2B-2. He kindly and very patiently answered all the questions and explained that the engine was still warm when taken out of an other car. And before they were allowed to leave for Spa-Francochamps, Peter Coltrin had to take pictures and the famous Don Sergio Mantovani had to bless the car!
 
Andrew, I too am glad you've continued to post this thread, as I have enjoyed very much reading it. To the few that bash it as to if it is original or whatever, stick it where sun doesn't shine. David
 
P/1042 (1001)

I recently stumbled across a small parts hoard and was very fortunate to be get hold of some very original/period spares, including; front and rear Girling brake callipers dated 1966 and 1964 respectfully. These were a true find, as I can now ditch my modern repros. You know the ethos of P/1042 is to reconstruct using as many original parts with provernance as possible. If it were a bicycle, you'd call it a recycle! Here are some photographs from the parts stash and no, unfortunately, the Abbey Panels monocoque has long been built up into a GT40. Nevertheless, progress is being made- Andrew
 

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Some more here-
 

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Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
Some very nice progress and quite the cache of bits you've scored!
 

Charlie Farley

Supporter
If my memory serves me correct, that is the bare bones mono of P1085.
Delivered to Racing Fabrications for Ian to build.
Would have been around summer 2008 i used to visit there, with parts for that build, some of which lit Ian's eyes up. That's infact the inspiration for the name of my website.
On one such visit i pulled a Fuel Tap out of my pocket and his exact words were..
" thats GT40 gold "..
This was the last JWA chassis made and was stored for several decades, unbuilt. You will notice in the background, sill panels and a rear clip exhibiting an early incarnation of carbon fibre strands reinforcing in the clear gel coat.
Nice collection Andrew. Several of those parts i sourced and that pair of Stewart Warner SW240 fuel pumps were definately rebuilt by me.
I hope most of those parts will find their way onto your rebuild.
If you need those pumps checking over again, gratis, let me know, as they have been sitting for a while now.
Good to see those original parts going to a home that fully deserve them...
 
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Crikey Andy, you certainly know your GT40s!!! Yes, a gold star for recognising GT40P/1085. The cash of GT40 goodies has completed my hunt for period/original parts. P/1042 has been promised a completion date of January 2015. Santa is going to be late this year, but I'm as excited as a 10 year old waiting for Christmas to bring his first slot car set... Scalextric of course.. none of the Revel replicas for me! Ohhh... now I've torn it! Best to all.. Andrew
 
Any chance your taking film of this build (and parts hunt) for a documentary? I think this is a very cool story, and all your bits really pulls together the story of several cars. right?

If done right, this could be a really cool documentary.
 
Hi Mark. Sorry no documentary, because the parts have come from all over the World. 50% of them, I've never had in my hands! However, I do plan to write a book when it's finished. I also think it'll be an interesting story. I have a load of "stuff" stored electronically and literally two drawers full of history. Ian Jones has also kindly told me the history of the Jean Blaton GT40P/1042, as it was Racing Fabrications, who rebuilt the car. I've finally tied the knot between the origins of my car "P/1042" and that car. This is all too exciting and the facts and record of which will be detailed later, probably when the car is finished.. perhaps in my book! Blimey.. sounds like a plan!!
 
Hi Andrew,
I have just stumbled across this thread while doing some quick research into another chassis. It caught my attention as my grand father, Tony Mitchell, owned this car many years ago.
As someone who frequents other historic forums and is involved in historic motorsport, I understand the feeling of completion that will likely occur when I am able to fill in some gaps for you!!
When Tony bought 1001 c.1974 it was painted yellow, with wide arches and what he describes as "Wolfrace"/6 spoke wheels fitted. It was bought for £1700 out of Exchange and Mart from a coal merchant in the Kent area. The deal was completed as the previous owner wished to keep the race wheels, and there were some original Borrani wire wheels which came included, which were promptly fitted.
However, with these narrower wheels, the wide arches on the rear looked very odd. So the rear bodywork was altered to have original size arches again, and the colour to Blue.
While the body was away being sorted, the race spec 289 was removed and a new 289 with Holley carburettor fitted for ensured reliability for use on the road. The race engine then remained under a bench until c.1979 when it was sold on to Vince Woodman for £300 complete, for one of his Capris.
1001 was in his ownership for 2-3 years until he sold it to one of his customers, Steve Stevenson. It was still looked after by Tony for many years after this, until it was sold on, and on selling it a long story ensued!
While Tony owned it, 1001 saw much use, even taking my Dad to school sometimes - safe to say he became quite popular. Most of the usage was on the road, including shooting trips. One time it was taken to the Pomeroy Trophy at Silverstone. Soon he found that being quite tall, by the time he had a helmet on the door wouldn't close! As time was of the essence, the bottom of the seat webbing was hastily cut out with a Stanley Knife!! It turned out to be a waste of time as after two laps the race was cut short due to snow! Having driven the car to the circuit, a trip to the Green Man warmed everyone up.

He has had many interesting cars over the years, and the stories are fascinating!

I hope this helps you fill in some gaps with the story of the bodywork. I'm also pleased to hear that you are not trying to recreate 1001, as this car is very much still in existence.

Ben
 
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Dear Ben. I cannot thank you enough. Stories such as yours, really bring this project to life. Everyone who takes an interest in this thread, will no doubt welcome hearing about another part in the jigsaw puzzle. Your posting backs up the findings of Lee Dawson when he refurbished the panels (see much earlier above) and explains the difference in rear wheel arches. If you have any period photographs to share with us, that would be most welcome as well. Please stay in touch as the project draws to a conclusion.. a thrilling conclusion! Best Wishes.. Andrew
 
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