VIN: the works Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype chassis GT 111
History of GT 111
Chassis GT 111 was one of four Mk1 GT40 Prototypes built as Roadsters.
Conceived as a potential lightweight derivative, the Roadster concept was quickly abandoned and production GT40s were all completed as fixed-heads.
Along with its sister cars (GT 108, GT 109 and GT 112), GT 111 used a modified rear clip with flattened deck, basket handle roll hoop and re-shaped shoulder-mounted air intakes.
A fifth open top car (GT 110 X1) was commissioned from Bruce McLaren Motor Racing, but this example was quite different; it featured an experimental aluminium-chassis and a host of special features including a seven-litre Mk2 engine.
Painted Linden Green, GT 111 appeared twice during the 1965 season.
It first saw action at the annual Le Mans Test weekend and then raced at the Targa Florio four weeks later. On both occasions, it was looked after by Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV).
Four Mk1 Prototypes were taken to the Le Mans Test: a brace for Shelby (103 and 104) and another pair for FAV (105 and 111). Unlike the Shelby GT40s (which still had four-speed Colotti gearboxes), FAV’s cars used the new ZF five-speed unit. They were also on Borrani wire wheels instead of Shelby’s preferred Halibrands.
Saturday practice was marred by the death of Lloyd Casner when his Maserati 151 crashed doing over 170mph at the end of the Mulsanne Straight.
Scuderia Ferrari’s 330 P2 ended the weekend fastest followed by Scuderia Filipinetti’s customer spec. 365 P2. Quickest of the GT40s was the white and black FAV fixed-head in third. The Shelby cars were fourth and seventh. GT 111 was driven by John Whitmore and Richard Attwood. They finished sixth fastest overall.
Although the GT40s were best suited to high speed circuits like Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans and Monza, FAV decided to enter GT 111 for the Targa Florio on May 9th. Now on Halibrands, GT 111 was the sole Ford representative. It was driven by Bob Bondurant and John Whitmore.
The first car was flagged away at 8am. GT 111 departed soon afterwards with Bondurant at the wheel.
At the end of lap one, local resident Vaccarella led in his works Ferrari P2. Scarfiotti was second in one of the sister cars and Bondurant was third.
The big Ford was still third when Bondurant handed over to Whitmore after three laps.
Unfortunately, GT 111’s progress was hampered when a wheel came loose on lap five. Whitmore fitted the spare, but had to hunt for the spinner, which had flown off half a mile earlier. It was eventually handed over by a local and Whitmore got the car back to the pits having lost about 15 minutes.
The GT40 was further delayed on the next lap when one of the fuel tanks would not empty because of a faulty pump. When Whitmore handed over to Bondurant at the end of lap seven, the car was in tenth position, some 26 minutes behind the leaders.
Whitmore was back in GT 111 for the final two laps, but ran over some loose gravel thrown up by another car. He lost control and hit a wall, which tore one of the front wheels clean off. The GT40’s race was over.
Afterwards, GT 111 returned to the FAV factory in Slough. Although it was repairable, the car languished at the back of the workshop and was gradually stripped of useable parts.
The bare chassis was later removed by a scrap merchant. For 40 years, it was assumed to have been destroyed.
However, the chassis was actually stored on a mattress in a garage in Stratford, East London.
In 2006, the car was inspected by GT40 expert, Ronnie Spain, who authenticated it as GT 111.
It has subsequently been restored to original condition.
Notable History
Ford Advanced Vehicles (Ford Motor Company)
Linden Green
11/04/1965 IND Le Mans Test (J. Whitmore / R. Attwood) 6th oa, 4th P5.0 class (#7)
09/05/1965 WSC Targa Florio (B. Bondurant / J. Whitmore) DNF (#194)
Retained by FAV but later removed by a scrap merchant
Chassis kept in a lock up garage in East London until 2006
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com
