FYI: One of the rare Ford GT40 prototypes will be featured at Mecum Auctions in 2025, inviting car enthusiasts to own a piece of racing history.
A Chance to Own History: Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype Hits Auction
Car aficionados have a unique opportunity this spring to bid on one of the rarest historical vehicles in the automotive world. Set to be showcased at the 2025 Mecum annual auction in Indianapolis from May 9-17, the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster prototype, bearing chassis number GT/109, will be up for grabs.
A Piece of Racing Heritage
The GT/109 is a star among the original 12 Ford GT40 prototypes, produced between 1964 and 1965. This replica is one of only five Roadster models and is famously known for being the only Roadster to take part in the iconic 1965 Le Mans 24-hour race. Despite encountering gearbox issues that forced an early exit after only 11 laps under the skilled driving pair of Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier, the car’s legacy endured.
From Race to Restoration
Post-race, the GT/109 was shipped to Shelby American with plans for refurbishment, though priorities shifted, and it transformed into a development vessel for Kar Kraft’s automatic transmission experiments. Over the years, it played a role in testing Ford’s innovative engines and braking systems. Acquired by custom car creator Dean Jeffries in 1968, the Ford GT40 later found its way to Dana Mecum in 2013, who restored this gem to its original Le Mans configuration.
A Rare Find Making Waves Again
Impressively, the GT/109 is only one of two surviving Roadster prototypes, its counterpart, GT/108, having fetched a staggering bid of $7,650,000 in 2019. Such prototypes were often subjected to tests and subsequently phased out, including early models like GT/101 and GT/102 used for crash testing.
Beneath the Hood
The GT/109 is equipped with a meticulously rebuilt HIPO 289 V-8 engine, an experimental Ford/Shelby intake manifold, and the celebrated "bundle of snakes" exhaust system. The five-speed manual transmission also underwent comprehensive restoration, ensuring this prototype roars back to life as it once did on the Le Mans track.
A Third Auction Attempt
This isn’t the first time the GT/109 has found itself on the auction block. Previous attempts to auction the car in 2018 and 2020 didn’t culminate in a sale, making its impending auction at Mecum in 2025 an exciting opportunity for collectors.
Conclusion
For collectors and enthusiasts, this is not just a chance to purchase a car but to own an irreplaceable piece of racing lore. As interest in automotive history continues to surge, the Mecum auction will surely stir passions among bidders looking to claim a definitive emblem of automotive innovation.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
