As the saying goes, "the devil is in the details". An authentic restoration has literally thousands of bits and pieces that require attention, none of it easy. A hose assembly that was off-the-shelf in 1964 might need to be fabricated completely from scratch. Window hinges peculiar to a small sub-series of GT-40 have to be patterned from those on an un-restored sibling. Or, perhaps, an authentic bar-stock vent fitting (never available from 'Pep Boys') must be made. Here are just a few...Be sure to read the captions to fully appreciate how much effort goes in to "crossing the T's and dotting the i's".

Figure 1 - These are reproduction GT40 pressure lines for fuel & oil delivery. Originals are no longer available but, like the originals, these new ones use a marine grade internal rubber hose with an outer canvas wrapping & stainless steel wire armor guard. Even the brass collars are crimped as original, by using a custom segmented die made for that purpose.

Figure 2 - Hardware used on the side window vents. There is quite a bit of work involved in making parts this small. These pieces are made of aluminum, which is correct for later GT40s such as the Gulf cars. Earlier GT40 race and "road coupe" cars had clear plastic hardware.

Figure 3 - Newly machined aluminum vent assemblies. They mount on the cowl top to vent the fuel cells.

Figure 4 - A GT40 Latch and its paper pattern.

Figure 5 - Glass bead "blasting" cleans these vintage GT40 wheels...

Figure 6 - ...ready for polishing & painting in the "Gulf" paint scheme.

Figure 7 - Cracked & brittle seat webbing (L) is replaced by a newly-fabricated exact replacement(R).

Figure 8 - Seat webbing in place on the car.

Figure 9 - This lightweight, tubular chrome moly upper a-arm assembly was fabricated in a fixture using nickle bronze brazing to eliminate the stress that TIG or MIG welding would generate. It was then cadmium plated to military spec.

Figure 10 - The assembly includes military spec, aircraft "double roller bearings" at each pick up point, beveled circlips to accurately retain bearings in machined bosses and electroless nickle plated, adjustable upper ball joint housing with polyurethane hemispheres and copper plated ball joint stud to eliminate corrosion effects.

Figure 11 - Special windshield deflector (as original) for Gulf GT40 team car restoration. (chassis GT#1076)

Figure 12 - Replacement GT40 lamp covers are made of of hard coated Lexan acrylic formed in custom molds. Installation includes painted edges and counter-sunk aluminum flush rivets.

Figure 13 - Replacement latch assemblies have more than a few pieces.

Figure 14 - Newly fabricated front clip & insert fasteners. F6FH DZUS fasteners are modified with brazed-on "L" handles then polished & chrome plated, as original.

Figure 15 - New fiberglass GT40 battery cover(L) for use on mid-to-late production MKI Ford GTs with the battery mounted in the left-rear fuel sponson area. Aluminum mold is on the right.

Figure 16 - NOS and custom machined pieces give a view of the competition (GT40 rear-view mirror).

Figure 17 - The GT40 did not include adjustable seats but it did have adjustable pedals (A feature that recently returned to Ford passenger cars).

Figure 18 - The assembly includes the hydraulic cylinders and even a dead pedal.

Figure 19 - Gulf GT40 team cars had specially mounted front side marker lights. The assembly includes Lucas glass lens, Lucas bulb holder, special backing plate, and original tall style nylok hex nuts.

Figure 20 - Even the paint is a detail. This particular tub was a late production race coupe with a roll bar option installed after the tub had its standard black paint job. The factory (J.W. Automotive) touched up the tub where they added the reinforcing plates with a slightly different shade of black paint.

Figure 20 - Replacement brake cooling ductwork is fabricated, exactly as original.

Figure 21 - Reproduction "late GT40 MKI" vented rotor braking system, complete & authentic down to the smallest detail. This system was used on all of the Gulf GT40s and by some independent GT40 race teams in the late 1960's.

Previous:

Next:

All materials presented, except as noted, are © RC International Software, Cincinnati, OH and may not be reproduced or reused for any purpose without the express, written consent of RC International Software. All rights under international copyright law are reserved. No affiliation with General Motors, Safir GT40 Spares, Ltd. or the Ford Motor Company is implied or assumed. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.