What happened to three Mirages?

Jim Rosenthal

Supporter
I am more inclined to believe John Horsman's account of this as he was there at the time. He kept meticulous records of the cars that they raced. His book is a great read, by the way.

I saw 1075 race at Laguna in 2003. It is owned by Rob Walton who has a number of noteworthy vintage racecars; I think he also has a Birdcage Maserati as well. I'm sure there are others.
 
I am no expert on Mirage history except that its a known that Jackie Icxc won the Kyalami 9hr with a Gulf Mirage in 67, and again in 68 which I believe is after these cars were outlawed worldwide by the 5litre ruling. Now the odd part is that Mike Hailwood raced another 5,8 Mirage in SA in 69, so which one was the Hailwood car then??
 
I am no expert on Mirage history except that it's a known that Jackie Ickx won the Kyalami 9hr with a Gulf Mirage in 67, and again in 68 which I believe is after these cars were outlawed worldwide by the 5litre ruling. Now the odd part is that Mike Hailwood raced another 5,8 Mirage in SA in 69, so which one was the Hailwood car then??

The Mirages were outlawed from World Championship events - but not from other sports car races, which were not forced to adopt the 3-litre limit for prototypes. That is why cars such as the Mirage, 5.7-litre Lola T70s, and David Piper's 4-litre Ferrari 412P continued to race in non-championship events.

Mirage M/10001 was the only survivor of the trio, and it is the one which continued its career in the Springbok series. After its second JWAE win in the Kyalami 9-hours (late 1968) it was sold to Malcolm Guthrie, who had crashed his GT40P/1009. He continued to use it in South Africa and Europe, later painting it in his team colours of Jaguar metallic grey with a maroon stripe, Gulf-GT40-fashion. For photographs see page 395 of the 2nd edition of The Ford That Beat Ferrari.
 
As an interesting note to this thread, in the latest copy of "fortyfication" there is an article on the recreation of 1075. And in it Ronnie Spain has added the following note.

"Despite all my best efforts to get to the truth behind the Mirage chassis details built into GT40P/1075, in spite of every door being slammed in my face as I went on researching after my book came out, I finally had all the chassis details needed to confirm that 1075 was not a rebuilt Mirage as I had been told by Len Bailey, But was a unique GT40 built up with Mirage modifications incorporated."
 

Ian Anderson

Lifetime Supporter
Jimmy

Claud Nehume (Sp?) who has 2 original Gt40s including the Gold No5 Mk2 had asked for a nut and bolt recreation to be made for 1075

I belieft this is the article referred to above

cheers
ian
 

JimmyMac

Lifetime Supporter
Ian,
Cheers for that.

Here's an original relic that I have for my copy
~ Mirage M10001's transaxle #1008 (look at that date)
Also have a 305ci. engine.
 

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So that's why I had so much trouble finding my way back to my room at the Mirage in Vegas - I didn't know there were three of them! I just thought it was all those G&Ts and boilermakers....
 

JimmyMac

Lifetime Supporter
A Mirage in Vegas
 

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Gordo

Lifetime Supporter
For what it's worth, I took these photo's last year in Atlanta, Georgia. I was told the car ran Le Man's in 1970 or thereabout. Not sure the model designation - but an interesting piece.

Gordon.
 

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Jim Rosenthal

Supporter
Were any of the Mirage cars fitted with the BRM V12 engine? I can't think of a Ford V12 engine. And if it had a BRM engine, why would it say "Ford" on it? Was there a Weslake V12 engine?

Maybe I should get out Reverend Professor Horsman and consult the Bible....
 

Keith

Moderator
Were any of the Mirage cars fitted with the BRM V12 engine? I can't think of a Ford V12 engine. And if it had a BRM engine, why would it say "Ford" on it? Was there a Weslake V12 engine?

Maybe I should get out Reverend Professor Horsman and consult the Bible....

Yes since '67 - Think Gurney Eagle....
 
For what it's worth, I took these photo's last year in Atlanta, Georgia. I was told the car ran Le Man's in 1970 or thereabout. Not sure the model designation - but an interesting piece.

Gordon.

Technically the Gulf Mirage Westlake "ran" at Le Mans in 1973 but only in the April trials. It did not "race" at Le Mans as it was not entered the race in June.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

Gramps
 
The 1967 Mirages were officially called "M1"
The BRM V12 was used in the 1969 Mirage was called the M2/300 coupe. Later on that season a spyder was produced with a 3 litre Ford Cosworth engine.This was called the Mirage M3/300.
Because John Wyer was approached to run works Porsches for 1970-71 these cars were not used again.
regards Allan
 
Jimmy

Claud Nehume (Sp?) who has 2 original Gt40s including the Gold No5 Mk2 had asked for a nut and bolt recreation to be made for 1075

I belieft this is the article referred to above

cheers
ian

I was lucky to be at Silverstone when Claude's car was being tested.
I enclose a few more photos of the car.
 

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