Enzo Ferrari had admittedly just snubbed Henry Ford by refusing to sell up to the American carmaker, who arrived in 1964. After teething troubles with the GT40 for the first two years, Ford triumphed at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours with a historic 1-2-3 finish for the Mk II. However, this was to be a mere prelude to the “Race of the Century” the following year, won by Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt in a Ford Mk IV GT40.

With many records broken during this 35th running of the legendary race, the International Sporting Commission decided to limit the engine capacity of the cars to curb their speed. As a result, Ford and Ferrari pulled out their factory teams and the former sold various versions of the GT40. This is how a Mk I came to win in 1968 whereas a Mk IV had won the previous edition of the 24 Hours.

The GT40 P/1079 offered for sale is therefore a Mk I, bought by Jean “Beurlys” Blaton in early 1968. After failing to complete the 1000 km races at Monza and Spa, Willy Mairesse and “Beurlys” looked to make amends at Le Mans. Unfortunately, Mairesse crashed out at high speed on the first lap when the GT40, entered by the Claude Dubois team, left the sodden track when a door inadvertently flew open. After a period in a coma, Mairesse was forced to retire from motor racing and the car was only to be restored several years later, in Switzerland.
Its current owner has entered it in the Le Mans Classic on several occasions since 2002, as well as at Goodwood and in the Tour Auto. It is presently for sale on the Germany-based Jan Lühn website.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO
Translated from French by David Goward

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 28 & 29 SEPTEMBER 1968. The Ford GT40 entered by the Claude Dubois team is currently for sale.