1966 FORD GT40
Chassis number GT40 P/1033 has been verified to be 100% authentic by Ronnie Spain who has devoted over ten years to research and writing GT40 An Individual History and Race Record which details every Ford GT40’s life story. This car has been fully documented as the original P/1033 and includes all race history from its beginning along with racing photographs of the car in 1969.
Now in the hands of racecar driver Tom Armstrong for the past 22 years, P/1033 has been professionally race prepared by Louis Shefchik of J & L Restorations. Tom has continued to race since he purchased the car in 1989 at vintage racing events throughout California.
The engine is a Ford V-8, 302ci, with Gurney-Westlake racing heads, 48 IDA Webers (built by Shaver Racing Engines). This stunning Ford GT40 was recently completely repainted by Jon Byers. It looks great and runs great! It comes with a new spare ZF 5-speed transaxle, 4 extra original GT40 wheels, log-books from 6/24/89 to 7/2/10; and a box of supplies, spares, set-up sheets, and a custom car cover.
GT40 History
The Ford GT40 was a high performance sports car and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969 (1966 being the Mk II, 1967 the Mk IV, and 1968-1969 the oldest chassis design, the Mk I). It is so far the only American car to win overall at this race. It was built to win long-distance sports car races against Ferrari. Chassis # P-1075, which won in 1968 and 1969, is the first car in Le Mans history to win the race more than once with the same chassis, and only one of two cars to have won with the same chassis using a Ford engine originally 4.7- liter, enlarged to 4.9-liter (also known as a 5.0) with special alloy Gurney-Weslake cylinder head. The car was named the GT (for Grand Touring) with the 40 representing its overall height of 40 inches (1.02 m, measured at the windshield) as required by the rules. (internet source: "Ford GT40," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ford_GT40&oldid=417541216 (accessed March 10, 2011).
P/1033 History
P/1033 production road coupe was delivered unpainted to Georges Filipinetti (Geneva, Switzerland) on January 14, 1966, the car’s build sheet noted “Geneva Show – Road Car. Sent with std. race engine and transmission to be changed later.” The engine was noted as “289 Cobra,” number SGT/4. Filipinetti wanted it trimmed to luxury car standards (wind-up windows, A/C, radio, tan leather upholstery beige carpeting, grills in all the air intakes and outlets and small chrome bumperettes), and had the work done by Swiss coachbuilder Graber, who painted the finished car silver. P/1033 was displayed at the March 1966 Geneva Auto Show and not long after sold to Geneva-based Bolivian tin magnate Jaime Ortiz Patino after being featured in February ’67 Car magazine and being displayed at the March 1967 Geneva Auto Show.
The car was fitted for racing being stripped of luxury trimmings and painted metallic blue. The car was raced by Patino’s godson Dominique Martin under the banner of Zitro (“Ortiz” spelled backwards) Racing sometimes being run with nose-mounted canard fins (to improve front end downforce).
Sometime in 1970, the car sustained some fire damage and was later sold to Franco Sbarro in 1972. In 1974, it was sold to David Piper and 1983 made its way to California when sold to Bud Romak, who had the car fully restored by Phil Reilly and Associates The completed GT40 was painted red with white sill stripes. It was then vintage raced on the west coast. The car made the back cover of GT40 An Individual History and Race Record, published in 1986 by Ronnie Spain and on the cover of the Shelby American World Registry ’87. It was also featured on the cover of Ford Racing: A Retrospect and Legendary Sports Cars ’88 calendar. It appeared at the GT40 25th Anniversary Reunion in July 1994. The car’s present owner Tom Armstrong has had it painted in Filipinetti colors (red with white stripes) and has continued to participate in historic races throughout California.
Professional Race History
9/22/68 – Montlhery DNF
3/29-30/69 – LeMans Trials (Martin/Hanrious) 15th
6/14-15/69 – LeMans (#58 - Martin Martin/Hanrious) DNS
10/12/69 Montlhery (Maublanc/Martin) 9th
10/19/69 Hockenheim (Martin) 9th
1/11/70 Buenos Aires (#18 Forrestor/Martin) DNF
1/18/70 Buenos Aires (#15 Forreter/Martin) 12th
3/22/70 Rallye De l’Ouest (Martin/Chini) 2nd
1-831-430-9940
Located in California
photo and text credit: © 2011 canepacollection.com
