1964 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype (GT/108)
- Engine
- 289 cu in (approx. 4.7L) V8, Ford Cobra specification
- Colour
- White with matte black nose and hood (at various stages)
Ford GT40 chassis GT/108 is the eighth of twelve pre-production prototypes and the first of five roadsters built, constructed at the Ford Advanced Vehicles plant in Slough in late 1964 and completed in March 1965. It served as a promotional and development vehicle for Shelby American, carrying both Ken Miles and Jim Clark at the wheel, before being used by Kar Kraft as a test mule for the Mark IV programme. Retaining much of its original specification, the car has appeared at Pebble Beach and other prestigious concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$7,650,000
- 1964-10-01 → 1965-03-01Factory deliveryFord Advanced Vehiclesfull documentation
Chassis received from Abbey Panels in October 1964; construction completed by March 1965, fitted with a 289 engine and Colotti transaxle.
- 1965-03-08 → 1965-10-01Private saleShelby Americanfull documentation
Invoiced as a temporary test importation; used for promotional tours, demonstration events, and development testing before being sent east for display.
- 1965-08-01 → 1965-10-01Acquisition unknownHayward Motorspartial documentation
San Francisco dealership held the car on consignment before it traveled to Watkins Glen for the US Grand Prix.
- 1965-10-01 → 1969-07-01Acquisition unknownKar Kraftpartial documentation
Served as a test vehicle for the J and X development programs leading to the Mark IV; also briefly loaned to a Milwaukee Ford dealership for promotion before being stored.
- 1969-07-01 →Private saleGeorge Sawyerpartial documentation
Former Kar Kraft employee who bought the car and refreshed it for road use, fitting a rebuilt 289 engine and a ZF transaxle sourced from the Mach 1 prototype.
- 1983 → 1983Acquisition unknownHarley Cluxtonpartial documentation
Brief second period of ownership before selling on to Congleton.
- 1983 → 1992Private saleTom Congletonpartial documentation
Based in Mission Hills, Kansas; commissioned a thorough mechanical rebuild while insisting on preserving original specifications, prioritising authenticity over competitive results.
- 1992 → 2014Acquisition unknownPacific Northwest collectorpartial documentation
Long-term custodian who had the car mechanically refreshed by Phil Reilly and Company in 2003 and presented it at several notable concours and gatherings.
- 2014 →Private saleConsignorpartial documentation
Maintained the car in good order and exhibited it at prestigious events including Quail and Pebble Beach.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHarley Cluxtonpartial documentation
Well-known dealer who owned the car by 1978 and sold it to Robertson; later reacquired it briefly in 1983.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn Robertsonpartial documentation
Buyer from Big Fork, Montana, who repainted the nose white and added black Le Mans-style stripes.
Competition
- 1965-03-01Silverstone test sessionDriver: Sir John Whitmore
Development testing alongside a prototype coupe; both Whitmore and Dickie Atwood drove, supervised by John Wyer.
- 1965-04-30United States Road Racing ChampionshipUSRRC Riverside
Car attended in a promotional and exhibition capacity accompanying the Shelby Cobra team, not as a race entry.
- 1965-05-01United States Road Racing ChampionshipUSRRC Laguna SecaDriver: Ken Miles
Miles conducted demonstration laps; car was present in an exhibition role rather than as a formal competitor.
- 1965-05-033rd Annual South Course Concours d'Elegance
Display event held in Newport Beach, California.
- 1965-08-01Candlestick Park pace car dutyDriver: Lew Spencer
Served as pace car for a 28-entry A-C Production Class race; Spencer drove with notable enthusiasm.
- 1965-10-01United States Grand Prix demonstrationDriver: Jim Clark
Displayed at Watkins Glen during the US Grand Prix weekend; Clark is said to have taken the wheel for laps, reportedly his only time in a GT40.
- 1984-07-01SAAC meet, Dearborn
Static or display appearance at Shelby American Automobile Club gathering.
- 1989-09-0125th Anniversary GT40 Reunion, Watkins Glen
Commemorative gathering marking 25 years of the GT40.
- 1994SAAC meet, Road America
Appearance at Shelby American Automobile Club event.
- 20032003 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceClass award winner
- 20102010 Quail Motorsports Gathering
- 20132013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
- 20172017 Quail Motorsports Gathering
- 20182018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Maintenance & restoration
- 1965ModificationShelby American
Shelby American work order authorised general repairs and modifications to the car following its arrival in Venice, California.
- 1969MechanicalKar Kraft
Car prepared for road use by George Sawyer with assistance from Kar Kraft colleagues; a rebuilt 289 cu in engine was fitted along with a ZF transaxle taken from the prototype Mach 1.
- 1978Bodywork
Nose repainted white and black Le Mans-style stripes added by John Robertson.
- 1983Restoration
Comprehensive mechanical restoration commissioned by Tom Congleton with a deliberate emphasis on retaining original factory specification throughout.
Owner declined any upgrades, prioritising authenticity over competitive results at vintage events.
- 2003MechanicalPhil Reilly and Company
Extensive mechanical freshening carried out to maintain the car in sound running condition.
Work undertaken at the workshop's Corte Madera, California facility.
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