The early history of this roadgoing GT40 is particularly fascinating, outlined in extensive detail by marque specialist Ronnie Spain, whose report remains on file for this car and is available for review by interested potential bidders. It begins on February 16, 1967, one week before its scheduled delivery date, and its assignment by Ford to GT40 Mark I’s “Promotion and Disposal Program.” As such, it was expected to be a corporate car used for press purposes. In fact, on paper, it was one of only six cars within that program consigned to Shelby American, but as history has shown, plans changed, and the car ultimately never ended up arriving Stateside until much later in its history.
Built to the order of Ford Division in Dearborn, MI, the car was delivered February 24, finished in striking Opalescent Silver Blue, outfitted with the customary Mark I 289 small block, with the “Production Car Record Sheet” indicating its intended loan to “Performance Cars.” Performance Cars was the dealership of the Geneva-born Georges Filipinetti, whose Scuderia Filipinetti was perhaps best known for its success in sports-car racing, particularly with Jo Siffert, and which was undoubtedly the most prominent of the Swiss privateer teams. Shortly after its arrival in Switzerland, the car was prominently displayed at the Geneva Auto Salon in March, refinished in Metallic Borneo Green, as per period photographs on file, which corroborate the car’s amended second Production Car Record.
By this time, of course, Filipinetti’s renown had grown tremendously, as the racing team had not only won the Targa Florio the year before in a Porsche 906 but also finished an outstanding 3rd at the Monza 1,000-kilometer race with one of the privateer Ford GT40s. Interestingly, P1069 remained in Switzerland with Filipinetti for virtually the rest of the year, and perhaps even longer, caught up in ongoing disputes over accounts between the Swiss privateers and John Wyer Automotive Engineering in the U.K., who were eagerly demanding the car’s return for use in Ford’s press efforts. As a result, the car has been frequently referred to as the infamous “Hostage Car” by historians, in reference to this period of dispute between Wyer and Filipinetti.
Chassis P1069 is presented and offered today in the configuration with which it was originally delivered, from the stunning blue finish to its Borrani wire wheels, Weber carburetors, black interior and much more. It is an extraordinary testament not only to the racing history of the GT40 program but also the exceptional history this particular chassis has enjoyed from day one, from its two Geneva Auto Salon showings, test drive with none other than Graham Hill, original private ownership by Lord Bamford, and countless historic-race outings in recent years. The new owner of P1069 is presented with myriad opportunities for showing the car virtually anywhere around the world or enjoying it in any number of driving events or vintage-race days. Few, if any, sports racing cars will compete at such a high level on track and fewer still will look as good as P1069 doing it.
