VIN: the prototype Ford GT40 Mk3 chassis M3/1101
History of chassis M3/1101
Chassis M3/1101 was one of two prototype Mk3 GT40s.
Seven Mk3s were completed between December 1966 and June 1969, but only three were actually sold to customers. The other four were variously retained by Ford USA (M3/1101 and M3/1106), Ford UK (M3/1107) and John Wyer Automotive Engineering (M3/1102).
John Wyer’s company (JWAE) were commissioned by Ford to create the Mk3 as a more refined and practical iteration of their Le Mans winning GT40.
The price to build the two prototypes was over $70,000. M3/1101 was configured in left-hand drive with Dark Metallic Blue paint and a black interior.
M3/1101 was dispatched to the USA on April 1st 1967 and displayed at the New York Motor Show a few days later. It served as the Ford Motor Company’s original press and promotional car. Notable road tests included Car and Driver (June 1967) and Cars (July 1967).
In 1968, M3/1101 was sent back to England where JWAE rebuilt and refreshed the car. It was dispatched back to the USA in September 1968 and ultimately ended up in one of Ford’s Kar Kraft warehouses until 1973 when it was purchased by the first private owner.
Between 2010 and 2012, M3/1101 was restored to original configuration by JD Classics in the UK.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com & JD Classics
