VIN: the Ford USA Ford GT40 Press Car chassis P/1028
History of chassis P/1028
Completed in November 1965, chassis P/1028 was one of 31 MkI GT40 road cars built. Two of these were destined for use as early press cars: P/1013 for Europe and P/1028 for North America.
P/1028 would initially be dispatched to the Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, where it would spend a short time being tested and evaluated. With this in mind, Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough paid considerable attention to the fit and finish.
Like nearly all MkI GT40 road cars, P/1028 came with a 289 engine, single four-barrel Holley carburettor, Borrani wire wheels, a silenced exhaust plus softer brake pads and spring rates. It also featured a full (black) leather interior, padded dash, air-conditioning, luggage boxes, centre view rear mirror, heated windscreen and undersealed chassis.
The colour was a unique shade called Metallichrome Silver.
Delivered on February 8th 1966, P/1028 did just over 1000 miles before it was sent on a promotional tour of races, car shows and dealerships.
P/1028’s first public appearance came in March 1966 at the Sebring 12 Hours. Over the next few months, it also starred in the July 1966 edition of Playboy magazine and the September 1966 edition of Mechanix Illustrated.
After six months, P/1028 was sent to Comstock Racing in Toronto. Comstock Racing continued P/1028’s promotional tour and it travelled with the team for the rest of the season.
At the end of 1966, P/1028 was sent to the Ford subsidiary, Kar Kraft, in Dearborn. Here it was re-painted dark blue, after which it was used as VIP car for Ford Executive, Fran Hernandez.
During 1967, P/1028 was sold by Kar Kraft to Dave Tallaksen in Atlanta. A 289 race engine was installed.
In February 1969, the GT40 passed to Steve Earle of Los Angeles. Earle sold the car in 1970 to a new owner from Newport Beach.
By 1975, P/1028 had been purchased by Gordon and Carmen Schroeder in Burbank.
During 1981, it starred in a Gulf Oil commercial for which it was re-painted the firm’s familiar blue and orange livery and uprated with Halibrand wheels.
The Schroeders kept their GT40 for the next 40 years before selling it with 11,000 miles on the clock to Legendary Motorcar in Toronto. Legendary Motorcar painstakingly restored P/1028 to its original configuration. In 2016, the GT40 was sold it through Mecum Auctions at their Monterey sale for just under $5m.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com
