I finally spoke by phone with David Reuter of FMC Public Affairs and suggested to him that Ford properly document Dean Jefferie's restoration of what I think to be the only Ford GT40 roadster outside the Ford museum.

Whatever the case may be, he thanked me for alerting him and said he would try to get the restoration properly documented before it's completed for Pebble Beach in August.

I'd like to know it was adequately documented if for no other reason than to add a piece of racing history to Ford's archives.

Of course, I'd like to see pictures and text of the restoration myself!

If anyone else knows a big suit at FoMoCo, give'em a call and tell'em to turn the docu'dogs loose!

Well, I still think it's a good idea.

5 years later it shows up in a new book about Dean Jefferies

pics on page 150

where's the "breaking-my-arm-from-patting-myself-on-the-back" smilie?

(This was cause for my very first post here)
Ford GT40 Roadster Questions

We have a "roadster" in the UK Its the ex whitmore Targa Florio car.It was restored 2 years ago by Gelscoe Motorsport for owner Philip Walker .

The "Roadster" during the Spa 6H 2007 :









The car was driven by Philip Walker, Danny Wright and A. Newall to third overall.
Pictures Luc Ghys.

The "Roadster" during the Spa 6H 2008 :



















All white now and driven by Philip Walker, Danny Wright & Howard Spooner who took the start.
Pictures Luc Ghys.

... but 35 minutes into the race, it all went wrong when the car (due to suspension failure or a wheel that came off) crashed heavily at the worst place imaginable : the Raidillon (Eau Rouge). Howard Spooner was driving but got away unscathed (all shook up I guess).


































Pictures Luc Ghys.

ouch! i can imagine the scrapping sound when they winched it on to the truck.

Not to mention the sound when it walloped the wall!
Tom

Breaks your heart to see something trashed like that, doesn't it?

So true Manfred! Makes me want to cry.

Very sad to see....

Just as well some of you chaps do not get to Goodwood, then, especially when some of the cars involved had impeccable credentials and condition , quod vide DCN's standpoint, before being restored and then trashed. But they own the cars so it is their decision. At least the open GT40 was a recognised resurrection car.
Roger Lund

bradbury west
Just as well some of you chaps do not get to Goodwood, then, especially when some of the cars involved had impeccable credentials and condition , quod vide DCN's standpoint, before being restored and then trashed. But they own the cars so it is their decision. At least the open GT40 was a recognised resurrection car.
Roger Lund

All too true. I still recall the remains of a yellow Ferrari 250LM at the Revival meeting a few years ago (Barazi?) that began the race in immaculate, glass case condition and returned to the pits on a flatbed looking like it had been dropped from 5000 feet without a 'chute.

Paul, I was thinking more of a Project Aston, not to my recall having been in a major shunt in its life hitherto, and also of a certain lightweight E type which Penny Woodley exercised regularly for decades but always kept from harm's way before the terms F1 and aerodynamicist entered its life. We ignore of course the ice racing Ferrari Monza 750 etc etc.
RL

the Dean Jeffries GT40, 'Roadster',I believe is 'Documented as from the 'FORD' Mtr. Companies 60's/70's ,On road show,Known the as the,"Ford Custom Caravan" this was a collection of FORD cars ,some customised by Leading 'Custom' shops of that period/time (these same people are now "LEGENDS") travelled America attending Rod and Custom Shows, such as 'world of wheels,Autorama and the likes , I believe that the 'Jeffries GT40', may have got a 'Personality' ('a bit off the top') change to keep it Fresh ,as an Exibit,this may have been carried out by Jeffries,a very talented custom car builder of that time and still creating beautiful work to this date ,more into restorations I believe......I'm quite prepared to admitt I've read to many 'Hot Rod and Custom' Mags ,but there is some truth in this concept...........................I Await Redemption .........................regards427

Roger, Mr. Newey's 'lightweight' E type is the ex-Phil Scragg hillclimb car (PS 1175) which he shunted in 2006 at Goodwood, whilst 86 PJ, ex-Tommy Atkins, Roger Mac, Guy Griffiths, Penny Woodley was and still is remarkably original and not hotrodded.

Paul, I thought it was, my mistake, but the issue remains the same
RL