Ford GT40 Mk I Unearthed In Southern California Garage

 Posted By Stephen Edelstein  

@ MOTOR AUTHORITY           

 

            

1966 Ford GT40 Mark I found in Southern California garage.

Every gearhead dreams of a barn find; a rare, seemingly-unattainable car tucked away like a lost artifact in an Indiana Jones movie. Barn finds aren't at all common, but they do occur from time to time.

Case in point is this 1966 Ford GT40 Mark I literally found under a pile of junk in a Southern California garage, according to The Gentleman Racer (via Motor Trend).

The car--chassis number P/1067--was the last 1966 GT40 produced, but it was sold in 1967 with a rear clamshell from the updated Mark II. Just three cars were produced this way, and this one is believed to be the only one with its original rear clamshell.

The car was raced until 1977, when an engine failure put it out of commission. The owner reportedly started to repair the GT40, but never completed the job due to an injury. A wooden frame was built around the car and covered with junk, entombing it for decades.

At least the GT40 remained largely intact during its long time in storage. Most critical components were apparently recovered with the car, including the engine and a set of extra tires.

The GT40 is most famous as the car developed by Ford to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after Enzo Ferrari changed his mind about selling his company to the Blue Oval. The story--and the model's on-track success--makes the GT40 highly prized by today's collectors.

Once restored, chassis P/1067 will certainly look good on the lawn at a concours, or possibly doing a few laps in historic racing.