GT108: The Iconic Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype
The Ford GT40 remains one of the most legendary racing cars ever built, created in the 1960s to challenge Ferrari's supremacy at Le Mans. Among the 12 early prototypes, chassis GT/108 holds a unique position as the first dedicated roadster variant—an open-top marvel that combined blistering performance with the allure of wind-in-the-hair driving.
Construction of GT/108 began in November 1964 at Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, England, and was completed in March 1965. It featured a steel monocoque chassis, a mid-mounted 289 cubic-inch V8 engine producing around 385 horsepower with Weber carburetors, and distinctive styling: a redesigned nose for better airflow and higher rear intakes. Painted white with bold blue stripes, it embodied Ford's exploration of a potential dual-purpose road/race car.
After initial shakedown testing at Silverstone by drivers John Whitmore and Richard Attwood, GT/108 was shipped to Carroll Shelby's Venice, California facility. There, it became a crucial development tool, serving as the primary testbed for the ZF five-speed transaxle—a gearbox that proved superior and was adopted for all future GT40s.
Racing icons left their mark on GT/108. Ken Miles conducted extensive testing at Riverside Raceway, while Carroll Shelby famously drove Henry Ford II as a passenger during a demonstration at Los Angeles International Airport—the only known time the Ford chairman rode in a GT40. In a memorable highlight, 1965 Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark took GT/108 for hot laps at Watkins Glen during the United States Grand Prix weekend, reportedly the only occasion the Scottish legend drove a GT40.
Though never competitively raced, GT/108 starred in promotional duties across America in 1965, pacing events, appearing at Indianapolis 500 festivities, and showcasing Ford's engineering at tracks like Laguna Seca and Riverside. The open-top design was ultimately deemed less suitable for endurance racing due to aerodynamics, leading Ford to focus on closed coupes that secured the historic 1-2-3 Le Mans victory in 1966 and three more wins through 1969.
Post-factory, Gt108 login was sold privately via Kar Kraft. It entered long-term ownership in 1992 with a Pacific Northwest collector, receiving a mechanical refresh in 2003 by specialists Phil Reilly & Company. The car earned accolades at events like Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (class winner in 2003), The Quail, and Amelia Island.
In August 2019, GT/108 sold at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction for $7.65 million, highlighting its status as one of only two surviving GT40 roadster prototypes (the other, GT/109, raced briefly at Le Mans). Renowned for retaining original features—including its 1965-style nose and low tail—GT/108 is celebrated as the most authentic example.
Today, this pioneering prototype symbolizes Ford's bold innovation during the GT40 era. In a lineage defined by Le Mans triumphs, GT/108 offers a rare glimpse into what might have been: an exhilarating open-air supercar that helped pave the way for motorsport glory.
