VIN: the works Ford GT40 Prototype chassis GT/105
History of chassis GT/105
Chassis GT/105 was one of twelve Ford GT Prototypes built and one of five created for the model’s inaugural competition season: 1964.
That year, Ford contested the World Sportscar Championship events at the Nurburgring, Le Mans and Reims. In addition, the Dearborn manufacturer attended the Le Mans Test (where the GT made its track debut) and the end-of-season Bahamas Speed Week (to race in the Nassau Tourist Trophy).
GT/105 first appeared alongside two other works cars at the Reims 12 Hours which was held a couple of weeks after Le Mans (July 5th). It arrived sporting a 4.7-litre 390bhp engine whereas the other Fords on hand retained their original 4.2-litre 350bhp units. GT/105 was allocated to Richard Attwood / Jo Schlesser who qualified sixth behind a pair of 250 LM Ferraris, the two sister Fords and one of Shelby’s Cobra Daytonas.
By the three hour mark, GT/105 was the only Ford GT still in the race and lay third behind the brace of 250 LM Ferraris. However, soon after 4am (the race started at midnight), Attwood came in for an unscheduled stop. He went out again, only to retire soon afterwards – a plug had come out of the gearbox and caused irreparable damage.
Following its showing at Reims, GT/105 served as an R&D mule until its next appearance: the 1965 Le Mans Test (April 10th and 11th). Now equipped with a host of updates to include revised bodywork, GT/105 ran under a two-car Ford Advanced Vehicles entry (FAV).
Unlike the brace of Shelby-entered GT40s (which still had four-speed Colotti gearboxes), FAV used the new ZF five-speed unit in their cars. The FAV machines also ran Borrani wire wheels instead of Shelby’s preferred Halibrands.
Ferrari’s works 330 P2 ended the weekend fastest followed by Scuderia Filipinetti’s customer spec. 365 P2. As for the Fords, GT/105 was quickest with third best time having variously been driven by Richard Attwood, John Whitmore and Maurice Trintignant.
FAV retained GT/105 into 1966, during which the car made two appearances.
By this time converted to the latest Mk1 body trim and sporting a handsome dark green livery with white centre stripe, GT/105 was allocated to Peter Sutcliffe and Bob Grossman for the season-opening Daytona 24 Hours (February 5th and 6th). Having qualified 19th, Sutcliffe and Grossman ultimately crossed the line in 14th position and won the over three-litre Group 4 Sports car class for which the under five-litre GT was now eligible.
Seven weeks later, Sutcliffe was paired in GT/105 with Innes Ireland for the Sebring 12 Hours (March 26th). They lined up 20th on the grid, but a blown head gasket ended the car’s race before quarter distance.
FAV eventually sold GT/105 to British-domiciled Aussie racer and team owner, Paul Hawkins, in 1968. In turn, Hawkins quickly passed the car onto Briggs & Snow in the USA. GT/105 subsequently went through the hands of several more US owners before later returning to Europe.
Notable History
Ford Advanced Vehicles
05/07/1964 WSC Reims 12 Hours (R. Attwood / J. Schlesser) DNF (#6) Ford Division
11/04/1965 IND Le Mans Test (R. Attwood / J. Whitmore / M. Trintignant) 3rd oa, 2nd P5.0 class (#9)
Dark Green with White stripes
06/02/1966 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (P. Sutcliffe / B. Grossman) 14th oa, 1st S3.0+ class (#86)
26/03/1966 WSC Sebring 12 Hours (I. Ireland / P. Sutcliffe) DNF (#21)
1968 sold to Paul Hawkins, UK
1968 sold to Briggs & Snow, USA
1970 sold to Chuck Rahn, USA
Early 1970s sold again
