One of the most historically significant American racing prototypes, a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster, will cross the auction block at Mecum’s annual Indianapolis sale this May, presenting a unique opportunity for collectors.
The GT40 Roadster, bearing chassis number GT/109, is one of only a dozen original prototypes built by Ford between 1964 and 1965. Of these, just five were roadsters, and today only two survive. Notably, GT/109 is the sole roadster variant ever to compete at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
In its single Le Mans outing in 1965, GT/109 was driven by the renowned French racing duo Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier. Although it showed promise, mechanical issues forced its retirement after just 11 laps. After its brief competitive life, Ford sent GT/109 to Shelby American for refurbishment. However, the car instead became a testbed for various Ford and Kar Kraft developments, including experimental automatic transmissions, innovative brake systems, and high-performance Indy-style engines.
In 1968, Ford released the car to famed customizer Dean Jeffries, who maintained it until it was eventually acquired by Mecum Auctions founder Dana Mecum in 2013. Mecum commissioned an extensive restoration, meticulously returning the car to its original Le Mans racing configuration. Its distinctive features now include a rebuilt HiPo 289 cubic-inch V8 engine equipped with a rare Shelby-designed experimental intake manifold and the famed “Bundle of Snakes” exhaust system. Additionally, the original five-speed manual transmission has also been fully restored.
While most early GT40 prototypes were destroyed after testing, GT/109’s survival underscores its exceptional rarity. The other remaining roadster prototype, chassis GT/108, sold in 2019 for over $7.6 million, highlighting the potential value of GT/109 at the upcoming sale.
This marks Mecum’s third attempt to auction the iconic GT40 prototype. Previously offered in 2018 and 2020, the vehicle did not meet its reserve price. Now, collectors have another chance to own a unique piece of motorsport history at the Indianapolis auction running from May 9-17, 2025.