VIN: the works Holman Moody Ford GT40 Mk2 chassis P/1032
History of chassis P/1032
Twelve Mk2 GT40s were campaigned by Ford’s competition partners Shelby, Holman Moody and Alan Mann during the 1966 season, one of which was chassis P/1032.
The white and black car made its debut at the ‘66 Sebring 12 Hours which took place in late March, seven weeks after Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby had claimed victory in the Daytona 24 Hours. Ford had earmarked Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans as the three events it wanted to win and four cars arrived in Florida for the 12 Hour event which was round two of that year’s World Sportscar Championship.
Holman Moody and Shelby both ran two car entries at Sebring with P/1032 allocated to Holman Moody for drivers Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohure. They qualified fourth fastest behind the Shelby Mk2 of Dan Gurney / Jerry Grant, the Ferrari 330 P3 of Mike Parkes / Bob Bondurant and the lightweight 4.7-litre Mk1 GT40 run by Alan Mann for Jackie Stewart / Graham Hill.
Having initially dropped to fo fifth, P/1032 ultimately looked set for a third place finish. However, when Gurney’s machine broke down within sight of the finish line, team-mate Miles went passed and claimed victory. Although Gurney pushed his car across the line, he was disqualified as cars were not allowed to be pushed on the circuit. This handed second spot to Hansgen / Donohue in P/1032 which finished twelve laps behind the leader.
P/1032’s next appearance came as part of an eight-strong field of Mk2s at the Le Mans 24 Hours in mid June. On this occasion, the now gold and green machine was allocated to Mark Donohue and Paul Hawkins who qualified eleventh.
In the race’s opening laps, Hawkins was forced to pit following a half-shaft failure while travelling down the Mulsanne Straight at almost 200mph. The Aussie driver went back out, only for his engine cover to then blow off when a lock came adrift. Having by now lost much time, P/1032 ultimately retired during the fifth hour with differential failure.
Following its appearance at la Sarthe, P/1032 was taken back to the US and re-painted black with silver stripes to resemble the ‘66 Le Mans winner: chassis P/1046.
It was then stored at Holman Moody until March 1968, at which point the car departed for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum curated by track owner, Tony Hulman Jr. P/1032 was later restored back to its 1966 Le Mans trim.
Notable History
Holman & Moody
White with black bonnet
26/03/1966 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (W. Hansgen / M. Donohue) 2nd oa, 2nd P5.0+ class (#3)
Repainted gold with lime green flashes and white side stripes
19/06/1966 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (P. Hawkins / M. Donohue) DNF (#4)
Repainted black with silver stripes to resemble the ‘66 Le Mans winner
03/1968 donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Mid 2000s restored back to 1966 Le Mans trim
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: The Henry Ford Museum - https://www.thehenryford.org/
