Press Release; For Sale, Our 1965 Ford GT40,

If you were to be told that Australia’s most expensive car was on the market, you could be forgiven for thinking about the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes or Porsche. The badge on this car has four letters, start with an “F” and is used very commonly throughout Australia. It’s a Ford and the model in question is an uber-iconic 1965 Mk 1 Ford GT40, one of only 79 built, for the sole purpose of beating Ferrari at Le Mans. Ford failed tried to buy Ferrari in the early 1960’s and in a true culture clash, both parties went away disappointed, with Ford vowing to beat Ferrari at its own game, in its own backyard.

After a few setbacks and losses, the GT40 came of age in 1965, winning the sports car holy grail, Le Mans, in 1966, 67, 68 and 69. The FIA even changed the rules to end upstart Fords’ dominance, but to no avail. The GT40 just evolved to the new rules and kept winning. Ferrari has never won Le Mans since.

Through this era of domination, the GT40 gained a worldwide reputation as an impossibly beautiful, 200+mph, fire-breathing world champion, it was lesser known that of the 79 Mk1’s built, 31 were modified by Ford, for very rapid road-going purposes. QLD based car collector David Bowden has owned example number 1034, the 3rd road car built, for over 10 years now and has decided the time has come for a re-shuffle of his cars. Renowned for his collection of Australian touring cars, Bowden purchased his GT40 in the UK, after looking at several other examples available on the market at that time. With most classic cars subject to GST, plus 33% Luxury Car Tax, genuine multi-million dollar vehicles, which are more art than practical, rarely grace our shores. GT40’s and most other iconic collectible cars traditionally swap hands quietly, but Bowden wants to try and sell the car into Australia, as it is the only genuine, built in the 1960’s GT40, with its import duties paid, in the country.

“A good example like this will sell pretty quickly in the USA or Europe, but once it’s gone, I can’t see anyone paying an extra 43% duty to get it back into Australia. Paying over $3.5 million for a car worth $2.5 million isn’t my idea of a good time. I hope anyone who has lusted after a genuine GT40 realises this is a one off opportunity” Said Bowden.

QLD based Classic and Racecar specialists. Ecurie Investments, is handling the sale and is also hoping the car sells to an Australian.

Check www.ecurieinvestments.com.au for more information on the GT40.

For further details and hi-res images contact:
Chris Bowden.
0438269938.
chris@bowdensown.com.au