GT40 AMGT1

FORD GT40 Mk1 Lightweight Chassis AMGT40/1

Alan Mann, the Ford importer for the UK, had been in competition with JWA which had been chosen as the official GT40 builder. Alan Mann became resentful.  He decided to build its 2 lightweight GT40s and didn't use a JWA production chassis number but instead chose its own. He received five new tubs directly from Abbey Panels and they became AMGT1 and 2 for the Mk1 and XGT1 / 2 and 3 for the Mk2.
Due to the changes on the body to lighten it, the car had to raced in the prototype category.
The original plan was to reduce the cockpit size ( like the one of the 1967 Mirages M1) but for lack of time they kept the original GT40 top.
AMGT1 was raced only one time at the 1966 12 hours of Sebring where it retired at the 8th hour with a clutch failure. It was then sent to the Le Mans trials in April.  At the request of Ford and to lighten the workload from SAI (Shelby), Alan Mann was asked to build 3 Mk2 for Le Mans (2 for the race and one spare) These 3 Mk2 became XGT1 / 2 and 3. The GT40 Mk1 lightweight program was put to an end.
AMGT1 was sold to Holmann & Moody who used it for testing and was transformed to Mk2 specs for a while. Back in Mk1 it was sold later to a private owner, then changed hands several times. After an accident the car was stored for a while. AMGT1 has been recently restored to its 1966 Sebring specifications.


The Models:

Ford GT40 Mk 1 Lightweight - Chassis # AMGT1 - DNF Sebring 1966 -

(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk 1 Lightweight - Chassis # AMGT1 - Test Le Mans 1966 (Kit TENARIV)

The same

AMGT1 in the pit at Sebring in 1966

AMGT1 racing at Sebring in 1966

AMGT1 at the Le Mans trials in 1966

AMGT1 at the Le Mans trials in 1966

AMGT1 at the Le Mans trials in 1966

The 1966 season Part 3

LE MANS Trials, MONZA, TARGA FLORIO, SPA, NURBURGRING, ZELTWEG.

A 1st-2nd-3rd place twice for the 2 long races at Daytona and Sebring was an excellent start of the season but with little opposition from Ferrari. Le Mans will be be another story and they HAD to win the 24 hours. They sent no less than 8 GT40s for the traditional Le Mans trials in April : 2 Mk2 prepared by SAI, the 2 new lightweight Alan Mann cars directly arrived from Sebring, 2 Mk1 from the Scuderia Filipinetti which both wore the # 21 (!) One by Ford France and the last by Essex Wire. In addition they brought their new project started a few months early by Roy Lunn : the first "J" car. It was named from the "appendix J" of the FIA regulations. It was a completely new car using aviation technology. Its lightweight chassis gained 300 pounds from the Mk2 with basically the same mechanical components.
The trials at Le Mans were a disappointment. First Ferrari didn't come and they were not able to compare time datas with them and second, the weather didn't cooperate, it rained a lot . One Mk2 crashed, its driver died after a 5 days coma.
The Le Mans Trials line up:

                                 #1 - "J" Car - Chassis J1  - entered by SAI
                                 #2 - GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1012 - entered by SAI
                                 #3 - GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1011 - entered by SAI
                                 #15 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis AMGT2 - entered by AMR
                                 #16 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis AMGT1 - entered by AMR
                                 #12 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1039 - entered by Scuderia Filipinetti
                                 #12 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1040 - entered by Scuderia Filipinetti
                                 #11 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1038 - entered by Essex Wire
                                 #14 - GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1007 - entered by Ford France

The 3rd round of the championship was at Monza. All Mk2 were either at SAI, AMR (Alan Mann Racing) or H&M for preparation of the 24 hours. The 2 lightweight AMR cars project was abandonned to focus on the MK2. The job to gather point for the championship went to the privateers and their  Mk1s.
The Monza line up:
                                  #5 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1010 - 2nd - entered by Essex Wire
                                  #9 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1040 - 3rd - entered by Scuderia Filipinetti
                                  #6 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1007 - 6th - entered by Ford France
                                  #8 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1021 - 9th - entered by J.N. Cussons
                                  #4 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1026 - DNF - entered by Essex Wire
                                  #3 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1002 - DNF - entered by F. English

The open road of the Targa Florio didn't suit the GT40 and only 1 car was entered:
                               
                                  #176 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1007 - 12th - entered by Ford France

For Spa Alan Mann raced one of the Mk2 (1012) mainly to get experience racing the 7 liter car in preparation of the 24 hours. 5 more GT40 Mk1 were entered by privateers:
The Spa line up:
                     
                                  #4   - GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1012 - 2nd - entered by AMR
                                  #42 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1038 - 3rd - entered by Essex Wire
                                  #40 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1009 - 4th - entered by P. Sutcliffe
                                  #44 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1017 - 5th - entered by F. English
                                  #41 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1039 - DNF - entered by Scuderia Filipinetti
                                  #43 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1026 - DNF - entered by Essex Wire

It was a very good result but the win went to Ferrari.

Too closed on the calendar from the Le Mans race, the Nurburgring saw only GT40 Mk1 entered by private teams. This time the win went to Chaparral. One more opponent to watch.
The Nurburgring line up:

                                  #45 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1003 - 5th - entered by Ford France
                                  #50 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1009 - 6th - entered by P Sutcliffe
                                  #49 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1021 -12th - entered by L.N.Cussons
                                  #44 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1002 - DNF - entered by F. English
                                  #46 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1026 - DNF - entered by Essex Wire
                                  #47 - GT40 Mk1- Chassis 1010 - DNF - entered by Essex Wire

The models :

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis AMRGT/1 - Test Le Mans 1966

(Kit TENARIV modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1022 - 7th Snetterton 1966
(BANG Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1021 - 6th Nurburgring 1966
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 Chassis 1010 - DNF Nurburgring 1966
( BANG Models modified - TENARIV  decals)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1017 - 9th Zeltweg 1966 -
(BANG Models modified - decal LM Decals and others)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1012 - SAI - Le Mans trials 1966 (IXO)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1011 - SAI - Le Mans trials 1966
(Kit STARTER Modified - LM Decals)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1038 - Essex Wire  - Le Mans trials 1966
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford "J" - Chassis J1 - SAI - Le Mans trials 1966
(Kit CEVEN KIT CARS)

The same

                             

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1007 - 12th Targa Florio 1966  - Ford France
(BANG Models)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1012 - AMR - 2nd Spa 1966
(MINICHAMPS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1041 - DNF 1000 Km de Paris
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1026 - DNF  Nurburgring 1966
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1002 - Ret. Brands Hatch BOAC 500 1966
(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1010 - 2nd Monza 1966 -
(BOX Models modified - TENARIV and artisans decals)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1026 - DNF Monza 1966 -
(BOX Models modified - TENARIV and artisans decals)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis AMRGT/2 - Test Le Mans 1966

(Kit TENARIV modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1010 - 5th Nurburgring 1966 -

(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk2 - Chassis 1007 - 6th Monza 1967
(UNIVERSAL HOBBY modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis 1039 - Le Mans trials
(BANG Models modified - decals TENARIV - wheels BBR)

The same

The 1966 season Part 2

THE 12 HOURS OF SEBRING 1966

The 24 hours of Daytona were a big success even without the works Ferrari. The next big rendez vous was at Sebring. This time 2 Ferraris were present. Ford brought 4 Mk2 ; 2 for SAI ( GT110 & 1031) and 2 for H&M (1032 & 1016). Each were painted in different colors unlike at Daytona. Chassis 110 was the abandoned Mc Laren X1 project for the Can Am which has been rebuild to Mk2 specification but still in roadster configuration. All Mk2 saw the addition of 2 brake air scoops on the rear hood.
2 lightweight GT40 Mk1 were entered by Alan Mann AMGT1 and 2. These 2 lightweight cars had to run in the prototype category (with the Mk2) They were greatly modified : aluminium body, Mk2 brakes etc...
In addition 7 GT40 Mk1 were entered by privateers.
It was another 1-2-3 victory. The 4th place has been lost stupidly. 1031 was cruising to a certain victory when the engine blew up 3 mn before the end in view of the finish line. The driver (Dan Gurney) had only to wait there to save a 2nd place but he tried to push the car and was disqualified. The roaster GT110 won followed by 1032 and the Mk1 1026.

                               #1 - Mk2 roaster (X1) - chassis GT110 - Winner - entered by SAI
                               #3 - Mk2  - chassis 1032 - 2nd - entered by H&M
                               #19 - Mk1  - chassis 1026 - 3rd - entered by essex wire
                               #4 - Mk2  - chassis 1016 - 12th - entered by H&M
                               #23 - Mk1  - chassis 1029 - 13rd - entered by Scuderia Bear
                               #2 - Mk2  - chassis 1031 - DSQ - entered by SAI
                               #24 - Mk1  - chassis AMGT2 - DNF- entered by Alan Mann
                               #25 - Mk1  - chassis AMGT1 - DNF- entered by Alan Mann
                               #17 - Mk1  - chassis 1037 - w/d - entered by Comstock Racing
                               #18 - Mk1  - chassis 1000 - DNF Acc - entered by Comstock Racing
                               #22 - Mk1  - chassis GT103 - DSQ - entered by W.Wonder
                               #20 - Mk1  - chassis 1010 - DNF - entered by essex wire
                               #21 - Mk1  - chassis GT105 - DNF - entered by FAV


The models :

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # 1037 -Withdraw after acc. by sister car #18 -  Sebring 1966 -
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # 1000 - DNF Fatal Acc. -  Sebring 1966 -
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT - Chassis GT103 - DSQ  Sebring 1966
(BOX Models modified)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # 1029 - 3rd  Sebring 1966 -
(BOX Models modified - decals PATOS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # GT 105 - DNF Sebring 1966 -
(Kit TENARIV with decals PATOS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk 2 Roadster X1 - Chassis # GT110 - Winner Sebring 1966
(Kit STARTER)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk 2  - Chassis # 1032 - 2nd Sebring 1966 -
(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # 1026 - 3rd Sebring 1966 -
(Kit GRAND PRIX MODELS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk1 - Chassis # 1010 - DNF Sebring 1966 - (Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same

Ford GT40 Mk 1 Lightweight - Chassis # AMGT1 - DNF Sebring 1966 -
(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same

                           

Ford GT40 Mk 2  - Chassis # 1031 - DSQ  Sebring 1966 (BANG Models)

Ford GT40 Mk 1 Lightweight - Chassis # AMGT2 - DNF Sebring 1966 -

(Kit MARSH MODELS)

The same