1:18 FORD GT40 MK II 'X-1' ROADSTER 1966 by EXOTO

1:18  FORD GT40 MK II 'X-1' ROADSTER  1966 by EXOTO

1966 EXOTO FORD GT40 MK II 'X-1' ROADSTER

1966, Shelby American Sebring Prototype in Authentic Red

The Ford GT40 Mk II Roadster started life as an experiment. GT40 chassis GT/110 was constructed as a roadster chassis, largely made of aluminum. It was supplied to Bruce McLaren Racing early in 1965 and built up as an open GT40 Mk II with a long nose and low FIA windscreen. It became known as "Ford X-1".

In December of '65, Ford sent down an order for McLaren to return the car. Kar Kraft received GT/110 and immediately undertook preparation of the racer for Shelby American. This included strengthening the chassis to 1966 specification and incorporating a rollover bar into the roadster bodywork that was now updated to the new Mk II shape. With a fresh coat of red paint, the Mk II Roadster was a stunner!

One competitor was working hard on employing an automatic transmission in their race cars, and they were winning races with it. The lightweight Mk II Roadster was initially used as a test mule for a Ford automatic transmission. After breaking a series of torque converter transmissions, Shelby decided to stick with the standard 'box, and in this form the lovely red Roadster went on to win the 1966 Sebring 12 Hours; it's first and last race.