VIN: the works Shelby Ford GT40 Mk2 chassis P/1011
History of chassis P/1011
For the 1966 season, Ford’s works-assisted teams campaigned eleven different Mk2 GT40s.
Equipped with giant seven-litre engines, these cars won the triple crown of Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.
Chassis P/1011 was used just twice.
Allocated to Shelby American, its debut came at the Daytona 24 Hours where it was driven by Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren. One of five Mk2s entered for what was the opening round of the 1966 World Sportscar Championship, P/1011 qualified slowest of the bunch in seventh.
By half distance, Amon and McLaren had risen to fifth while the sister cars held first, second and third. These positions were retained until the end. In the absence of any works Ferraris, Ford took a convincing win.
After a refresh back at the Shelby factory in Venice, California, P/1011 headed to Europe for the annual Le Mans Test weekend.
Held over April 2nd and 3rd, nine GT40s were on hand to include the experimental J-car, a pair of Mk2s and a half dozen 4.7-litre Mk1s.
Unfortunately, the event was marred by the death of Walt Hansgen who was involved in a horrifying crash on Saturday morning.
Driving P/1011 in wet conditions, Hansgen lost control on the approach to the Dunlop Bridge. His Ford aquaplaned, travelled up the short escape road at around 120mph, hit a sand barrier and bounced across the road before smashing into a retaining wall.
It took 20 minutes to cut the critically injured driver free of the mangled wreck before he was rushed to hospital by helicopter.
Walt Hansgen died of his injuries five days later.
P/1011 was scrapped.
Notable History
Shelby American
White & Black with Blue side stripes
06/02/1966 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (C. Amon / B. McLaren) 5th oa, 5th P2.0+ class (#96)
02/04/1966 IND Le Mans Test (W. Hansgen) 9th oa, 6th P2.0+ class (#3)
Destroyed in Walt Hansgen’s fatal accident at the 1966 Le Mans Test weekend
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com
