GT40 Replica Club
The club was formed in 1985 soon after the first replica of the Ford
GT40 in
England was made by Ken V.Atwell which was later marketed as the KVA GT40
(Mk.3 replica) and which now lives on somewhat modified and in the more
common
and preferred Mk.1 format under the Sabre Automotive Inc. banner in the USA.
=20
The club's aim is to bring together those with an interest in the Ford GT40
and
provides technical assistance and support for those who take on the task of
building
a replica, maintaining or modifying an existing car. We organise social,
show and
track events for all and are an enthusiastic group of like minded people.
The club
also welcomes those who are involved with similar performance cars
(DeTomaso,
Ferrari, and the like) and also provides for those who do not have a car
but have an
interest in the Ford GT40. The club has an international membership with
members
in most counties around the world. Our largest membership is in the United
Kingdom at present but our membership in Belgium and Australia in particular
is
growing . In the UK we have regional centres which provide regular monthly
meetings and local support. The club produces a Bi-Monthly magazine with
the
title "Fortyfication" to keep members informed. Fortyfication includes a
sales/wanted column, technical articles, reports on events and members
experiences and details of existing and new equipment and facilities being
offered
by the main replica manufacturers and specialist suppliers. We also produce
a
seasonal news sheet in the UK detailing the events that members will be
attending
and of interest to GT40 enthusiasts. The club supports all makes of GT40
replica
and is completely independent of all manufacturers. We also have members who
own original GT40 cars. We have members who have experience in building all
engine / transmission and chassis / bodyshell combinations and who are able
to
provide information, assistance, and support with your construction,
maintenance or
modification work.
Le Mans the home of the Ford GT40
The GT40 was designed and built to race at Le Mans and in particular
to break the domination of the event by Ferrari. It succeeded in this and
went on to win at Le Mans for the Ford Motor Company in 1966 in Mk2 form
and again in 1967 in Mk4 form. In 1968 and 1969 in it's original Mk1 form
which has now become the most favoured shape, the same car that competed
and won in 1968 repeated the win in 1969 for the Gulf Oil team, a feat not
achieved by many cars.
The GT40 Replica Club now commemorates the GT40's heritage by attending Le
Mans each year with a group of our cars. We have had the privilage of
taking part in the "Grande Parade des Pilotes" on the Friday before the
race for the last two years, 1996 & 1997, and we thank the "Classic
Automotive - Le Mans" and the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (ACO) for inviting
us to take part in the parade again this year, 1998. The Parade consists
of some 50 classic and vintage cars in which the drivers of the Le Mans 24
hour cars are paraded through the streets in the centre of the city of Le
Mans and are presented to the enthusiastic crowds which usually number
around 100,000. Our cars are included as part of this parade which has
centainly been the highlight of the GT40 Replica Club's trip to Le Mans
over the past years. We look forward to seeing all GT40 and Le Mans 24
hours enthusiasts again this year. We meet up at 12 noon on the Mulsanne
straight on friday prior to the Parade which starts later in the afternoon.
If you are interested in the Ford GT40 or are considering buying or building one of
the replicas please contact us and we will be pleased to forward you our club
brochure.
Ken Saunders - Club Chairman
My GT40 Mk.1 in Essex Wire racing colours
and fitted with 5 litre V8 ~ 430 BHP.