Ford GT40 Mk1 Gulf reveals fascinating past at Monterey auction

The Ford GT40 Mk1 Gulf will receive a boost due to its racing and Hollywood pedigree

A remarkable Ford GT40 MK1 Gulf will sell at the upcoming Monterey auctions on August 18-19 amid excitement created by its fascinating past.

The Ford was driven by the legendary Jack Ickx at Le Mans

Every classic car enthusiast in the world will have their eyes fixed on California's Monterey/Pebble Beach area next weekend, when a number of important events and auctions will star some of the finest cars in existence.

The GT40 will stand out among the vast selection due to its incredible history. The stunning vehicle, chassis P/1074, boasts a win in the world championships, the Paris-Dakar Rally and Spa 1967, as well as being driven by legendary endurance racer Jacky Ickx at Le Mans. Not only this, it also served as the camera car for the famous Ferrari 512S in the epic Steve McQueen film Le Mans, where astonishingly the entire roof section was removed for filming purposes.  

Memorabilia from 1971's Le Mans is always incredibly popular at auction. On July 31, the Heuer watch that Steve McQueen wore in the film was sold for $799,500 - a 166.5% increase on estimate.

The magnificent Ford stands as the first of three lightweight production GT40s ever made and is one of just two surviving examples. It began life as a Mirage M.10003, but was soon converted to a Group 4 GT40 following a change in the FIA's regulations, which reduced the prototype engine size to three-litres and five-litres for production. The auction house states that the car could easily be returned to its original Mirage M.10003 state.

With impeccable racing pedigree and a fascinating background, the GT40 has already created a buzz from investors and enthusiasts. An estimate has not yet been set by the auction house, though we can expect it to stand among the record-breaking sales in Monterey, possibly achieving in excess of $5m.

Paul Fraser Collectibles brings you all the latest news from the world of car collecting. For more exciting articles on the several Monterey auctions taking place next weekend, visit our dedicated news section.

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Images: RM Auctions