1989 Ford GT40 Replica by GTD

Coachwork by GT Developments Registration no. DDH 360C Chassis no. BA5EM45184

Footnotes

A decade on from its final Le Mans win of 1969, the GT40 had become firmly established as one of the all-time great classic sports cars, leading to an increased demand for unmolested originals and the start of a replica-building industry. With a mere 107 GT40s being constructed at Ford Advanced Vehicles' Slough factory between 1966 and 1972, it is hardly surprising that a cottage industry of independent manufacturers arose to satisfy the continuing demand for replicas of Ford's charismatic Le Mans winner. Founded in 1984 by Ray Christopher, GT Developments soon established itself as one of the foremost manufacturers of accurate GT40 replicas, over 600 of which have been produced over the years.

Autosport and Autocar magazines tested an original, GTD-built example in 1989. The former had this to say: "An original GT40 is priceless, but an equally charismatic alternative is the GTD40. The pair are (sic) indistinguishable from five paces, let alone 50, so faithful is GTD's replica even to the discerning eye. The GTD is no 'kit car', but a thoroughbred in every sense." Praise indeed.

Taking its registration mark and chassis number from a 1965 Ford Zephyr, this example was purchased by the current vendor in March 1990 from The Garage At East Coker, Somerset. The car was then dry-stored for some three years while the vendor was working in South East Asia. On his return, in 1994, he commissioned GTD to rebuild the car completely as he considered its specification to be far below his expectations and requirements. Indeed, so extensive was the rebuild that the only original elements surviving are the bodywork, paint, and interior trim. Carried out at GTD's factory in Poole, Dorset, the works involved the following upgrades:

New chassis and running gear
High output Ford 302ci (5.0-litre) SVO V8 engine
Performance camshaft
MSD ignition system with rev limiter
High-torque starter motor
Performance exhaust system
Weber 48 IDF twin-choke carburettors (x4) with special inlet manifold
Road/race clutch with large-bore master cylinder
Oil cooler and catch tank
Upgraded cooling system with header tank
TrakSpax shock absorbers and road race springs
20mm anti-roll bar
Upgraded handbrake
Upgraded brake master cylinder
Alcon 4-pot front brake callipers (large) with vented discs
Alcon 4-pot rear brake callipers with vented discs
Tilton pedal box with adjustable brake bias front/rear
New free-flow nose section to improve cooling
Interior re-trimmed in leather to a higher specification
Glass rear window for improved visibility
Gurney dome in driver's door for increased headroom
Upgraded set of pin-drive knock-on wheels
Fire extinguishing system
Re-gassed air conditioning system
High-torque starter motor

Following completion, the car spent an extended time with the vendor in the USA from 1998 through to 2011 when it was re-imported into the UK (shipping paperwork on file). While in the USA, the car was inspected by the California DMV and issued with a State of California Title and License Plate for road use (copies of the Title and DMV approval paperwork are on file). Used and enjoyed on track days and tours, this top-quality and exceptionally well specified GT40 re-creation is offered with GTD's detailed invoices and correspondence, copies of old UK registration documents, and the aforementioned US paperwork. A wonderful opportunity to own a superb re-creation of this most iconic sports-racer, built by the best in the business and benefiting from numerous highly desirable enhancements.