John S Allen
Photographic
This car, GT40P/1086, was the last GT40 built in the original production run of P/1000-1086.
The chassis started life in 1967, when J.W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. (JWAE) purchased from Ford the GT40 race team and the rights to build more GT40s. After the end of the company's racing program 1086 was retained by John Willment, the owner of JWAE. 1086 was completed as the last of the lightweight Gulf-livery cars, 1074, 1075, 1076, 1084 and 1086, as listed in the World GT40 Registry. In the registry it is noted as being: J.W. Automotive, Light Powder Blue (code # P030-8013), with Marigold (code#P030-3393) orange trim. These cars sported lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced front and rear body panels and wider rear shell, along with deep-offset BRM magnesium wheels, appropriately finished in orange.
1086 is listed as just one of three original GT40s remaining in #1 condition (original/unrestored). Along with the Gulf livery and body, it is fitted with a 302 cu.in. 4-bolt-main race engine, with oversize valves and larger intake/exhaust port configuration, standard heads (not Gurney-Weslake), Holley 4-barrel racing carburettor, dry-sump engine lubrication with oil tank in the nose, race-gearing, and 5-speed ZF transaxle. It is also fitted with rare 10"&14"x15" BRM “Mirage” magnesium wheels.
This car has been featured in several books and magazines, eg: Vintage Racecar (9 /05) and Matt DeLorenzo's new book "Legendary Cars". It has also been written about in John S. Allen's book, "The Legend Lives On", which states, "1086 is the last Abbey Panels GT40 produced to the order of J.W. Automotive Engineering Ltd.". Ronnie Spain's book, "GT40 - An
Individual History and Race Record", is looked upon as the bible of GT40 history, and in it 1086 receives a full page to itself.
1086 has been invited to, and shown at, numerous prestigious car events throughout the years, most notably in 1989 for the GT40 25th Anniversary Reunion at Watkins Glen, where it featured with its fellow Gulf livery cars, amongst a host of other original GT40s, in the now famous aerial photo. Its most recent such outing was in 2005, when it was invited to be shown on the lawn of the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance, where it was awarded the E.T. "Bob" Gregoire award, for its excellence in originality, and enduring design.
Although 1086 has seen track use, it has never been crashed, and its chassis has never needed to cope with the dreaded tin-worm. As original GT40s go, 1086 is about as good as it gets.
GT40P/1086