JUPITER, Fla. – March 12, 2024 – Florida-based Superformance and Safir Engineering are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the GT40 and the 40th anniversary of Safir owning the GT40 Trademark, with a one-off car, Chassis GT40P-1150. This car is built in the likeness of one of the first GT40s (GT/104), which was a 1964 prototype coupe later raced extensively by Bob Bondurant for Shelby American. Now available for purchase, GT40P-1150 is scheduled to arrive in Southern California within the next 60 days.

“From Daytona to Le Mans, GT40s dominated sports car endurance racing worldwide during the 1960s,” said Lance Stander, CEO of Superformance. “Sixty years ago, it all began with a few prototypes that raced and proved the GT40s potential. This special car, GT40P-1150 was built to honor that achievement.”

In addition, GT40P-1150 celebrates the Forty Year ownership of the GT40 Trademark by the Safir GT40 Spares Company. “It is an honor to be involved with these cars and the owners that purchase them,” said John Sadler, one of three Safir partners. “Just say ‘GT40’ and one immediately envisions a beautiful street legal sports car, solid race history, with a passenger seat. Such a rare combination.”

A decade after its final Le Mans win, the GT40 was firmly established as one of the all-time great sports cars. At that time, Peter Thorp of Safir Engineering was in the market for one of these but could not find a suitable purchase. The market was larger than the supply.

Peter Thorp of Safir Engineering and John Wilment of JW Engineering struck an agreement to add twenty-five more GT40 serial numbers to the supply of GT40s. Twenty-five grew to forty for this Safir Mark V variant. Safir Engineering capabilities were more than proven with their race team’s years of competitive participation in Formula Three and their running of a Formula One car driven by Tony Trimmer in 1975.

The Safir Mark V production went well due to the involvement of many who worked on the 60s cars. Len Bailey, John Etheridge, Jim Rose, Bill Pink and Stuart Matheson were among that group. Ford President Walter Hayes supported the project and would drop by the Brooklands Safir shop for meetings. John Wyer attended track testing and stated the updates on the Mark V were exactly as he would have done.

Every decade or so, one of the low serial number cars is built, giving collectors an unbelievable opportunity to own a very rare car. The last lowest available first-generation number GT40 was built in the 2000s, when a chassis was allocated serial number GT40P-1149.

GT40P-1150, in addition to being the lowest serial now available, is a salute to GT/104.

Completed in 1964, GT/104 was one of twelve Ford GT prototypes manufactured prior to the Mark I and Mark II variants. At the end of the 1964 season, after months of disappointing results, Ford sent GT/104 to Carroll Shelby to make it a winner. While at Shelby American in Southern California the car underwent significant updates for the next season.

When the car was entered in the opening race of the 1965 season (the Daytona 2000km Continental), it became clear that Shelby’s improvements made a big difference. GT/104, with Bob Bondurant and Richie Ginther behind the wheel, raced into the history books by coming second in class.

GT/104 returned to Europe where it attended the annual Le Mans Test weekend during the second week of April. It posted the fourth fastest time with Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant and Bruce McLaren all spending time behind the wheel. Later that year, GT/104 raced at Sebring and Monza.

The new GT40P-1150 was manufactured under the scrutiny of Safir GT40 Spares, Ltd at the Superformance factory in South Africa. Input into this chassis also included Mr. John Horsman, chief engineer and “Deputy in Charge” for the 1968 and 1969 Lemans winning Gulf GT40.

This Mark I GT40 has the early double nostril air intakes, right hand drive with right hand gear shift, just like GT/104. Painted American Racing Blue with rare “Safir GT40” side stripes. It boasts a leather interior, sound insulation, air conditioning, painted door eyebrows, twin rear body clamps, 15-inch 6 spoke BRM Wheels, round fog lamps and reverse gear illumination.

The car is powered by a Weber carbureted small block 347 Cu. In. Rousch Ford engine with silver ceramic headers that crank out over 400 HP. This GT40 stops quickly with Willwood brakes wearing “GT40” on the calipers.

Safir issued the official MSO and the GT40 wears a Safir serial number plate. The sports car will be added to the GT40 Registry and comes with a GT40 Certificate of Authenticity. This “One Off” street legal GT40 is available through Superformance.

 

About Superformance

Superformance LLC has been a distributor of complete rolling chassis racecar replicas and continuation Shelby Cobras since 1994. Superformance products are aesthetically dimensionally correct and are engineered in the image of some of the most iconic classic sports cars. All vehicles are built under license from trademark holders including Ford, Shelby, GM and SAFIR GT40 adding authenticity and value.

Superformance has a longstanding relationship with Hi Tech-Automotive, the world’s largest specialty car production facility. Together, they have produced and distributed more than 6,000 rolling chassis through 20 independent dealerships worldwide. The Superformance chassis is completely assembled and ready for the buyer to install any drivetrain of their choice. Superformance has an owner’s forum and a car registry. Additional information is available at Superformance.com , Info@Superformance.com or by calling a dealer at (800) 297-6253.

About SAFIR GT40 Spares

Safir GT40 Spares was established in 1999. A Cincinnati based company owned and operated by three partners John Sadler, Brady Pack, and Bob Wood who all own original GT40 road cars. Safir GT40 Spares owns the Trademark GT40 and licenses said Trademark to Superformance LLC. Safir company provides spare parts and technical help to owners of GT40s. Information is at www.GT40.com.