RCR GT40 MK1

Owner’s introduction:

“ This car build came about to realise a long held ambition to own a GT40. I had joined Ford as an engineering student apprentice in 1966, soon after the iconic first Le Mans victory for the car. In fact it was the company's motorsport involvement with the GT40 and in Grand Prix racing with the Cosworth DFV engine program that settled my choice between going to Vauxhall or Ford! 

With values escalating it was clear that an original car was out of reach fiscally but a replica clearly was possible, especially as I could use my engineering skills to build a car. These skills were gained from Ford Motorsport, also preparing and racing my Mallock Clubmans cars and then latterly with Mountune Race Engines (in the WRC, F2 and the BTCC).

When it came to choice, a search among the offerings concluded that Race Car Replicas in the USA offered the best quality parts package and product support. The chassis is a superbly welded aluminium monocoque in the style of the original. The body is excellently moulded in GRP from an original car. RCR are based in Fraser, Michigan (about 20 miles north of Detroit) and are owned and run by the ever helpful Fran Hall who originally hails from UK. A measure of their quality and abilities is that they supplied 28 cars for the 'Ford v Ferrari / 1966 Le Mans' major Hollywood movie which was released in 2019. I am a professional engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a past President of the Ford RS Owners Club.” 

The car was successfully IVA tested at Enfield and registered for the road in June 2016 and is registered with a UK V5C as an RCR GT40. The car was subject to a recent MOT test and Historic Motorworks Vehicle Inspection in January 2026. 

The documentation of the build is exceptional, giving you everything you or your mechanic will need to run your very own road or track GT40 replica. The car is accompanied with 7 dense files which have also been converted into digital format covering; engine build sheets, IVA paperwork and detailed parts lists.

To start your journey with this car you can refer to the extensive owner’s manual detailing everything from the part numbers of regular service items to the castor, camber set up. 

After ten years of careful custodianship at the owner’s home workshop, it is now time to part ways with the car to allow another enthusiast to enjoy it. The car has rested in a relaxed and dry environment amongst other 1960s motoring icons. 

The Ford 302 V8, sits glinting in the tidy engine bay with it’s Ford Racing Alloy rocker covers and highly polished chrome Air Filter cover. The engine is fully balanced and was rebuilt with forged internals, AFR aluminium heads, performance valvetrain and a carefully chosen Comp Cams 'fast road' XE268H camshaft.

Historic Motorworks carried out a compression test proving the powerplant to be strong and even with 150–155 PSI across all 8 cylinders. 

Noise is channelled through the unmistakable mass of stainless steel that forms the  “Bundle of snakes” exhaust manifold. 

The engine is cooled by Kenlowe high performance twin cooling fans. The owner carried out research after finding the supplied fans to underperform and subsequently spoke with the original engineer who specified the GT40’s factory cooling fans to choose the current units. 

Drive is delivered through a Getrag/Audi 01E six‑speed transaxle with cable‑operated right‑hand gearshift and a heavy‑duty Helix clutch.

RCR cars were faithfully moulded from an original GT40 in GRP. This car, painted in a deep Jaguar Westminster Blue, presents brightly and consistently with some light age-related wear. As to be expected with a car of this nature, high contact areas show signs of usage but overall, the car is presentable for such a purpose-built machine. This example will stand out from other replicas that may have led a harder life.  The engine cover and interior rear bodywork incorporates heat shielding with Thermo matting bonded to the GRP. With wheel arches stone chip and protected internally.

The chassis blends effortlessly with the bodywork having been completely stripped before being Etch primed and painted in semi matt blue. The Aluminium monocoque is far closer to original GT40 architecture than most replica kits with the more commonly encountered space‑frame chassis make-up.

The build quality of the car is further displayed by the lack of corrosion on the plated hardware showing only minor wear and subtle ageing. The Aluminium billet uprights and wishbones which have been anodised for corrosion protection are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The car starts, drives, steers, and one can use the brakes confidently, with no abnormal noises or behaviour noted during testing.

The bespoke wiring loom was designed and built from scratch by the former Ford Motorsport engineer, the workmanship elevates the car above typical replica standards.

All lighting and electrical functions operate correctly. A standout feature of the car is the wiring loom which has all the sub-looms connected by high grade multiplugs. All circuits are fused separately and all the higher current circuits utilise relays. All the multiplug connections, fuses and relays are fully documented in clear, hand drawn wiring diagrams.

The cabin is clean and well assembled with neatly labelled controls, it combines authentic details with enhancements such as Air Conditioning and a Pilkington heated windscreen. The additional features genuinely add to the driving experience without compromising the visceral experience of a competition derived car.

A new owner may wish to choose a new set of tyres whether for road or track use. As well as renew the harnesses and fire extinguisher.  Historic Motorworks can provide a clear estimate for completing this work and a range of options. 

The car sits firmly in the upper tier of GT40 replicas currently available on the UK market and presents a desirable route to ownership without the time and complexity of a full build.

Price: £125,000

Specification

Engine

Ford 302 / 5 litre V8
Power approx. 375bhp @ 6000rpm
Professionally built by a Ford Motorsport Engineer around an original 1969 Ford 302 block which is bored +0.020"
10.5:1 compression ratio
Fully balanced
Forged steel Eagle crank, zero balance
Forged steel conrods
Forged alloy JR pistons
Aluminium AFR heads
ARP head studs and hardware
K&N high capacity air filter
Edelbrock inlet manifold
Comp Cams 'fast road' XE268H camshaft, roller rocker valve train and flat hydraulic followers
Ford Motorsport alloy rocker covers
Fel Pro gaskets
MSD capacitive discharge ignition system with integral rev limiter
High temp ignition leads
Kenlowe high performance twin cooling fans
Ford Motorsport short water pump
RCR pulleys / Gates belts
Avaid GT40 baffled sump
Mocal oil cooler
Remote mounted Mocal oil filter
Crossover 'bunch of snakes' stainless exhaust manifolds
Stainless steel performance silencers plus optional 'low noise' set

Transmission

Getrag/Audi 01E 6 speed
Cable operated right hand gearshift
Hydraulic operated Helix heavy duty single plate clutch
CV jointed driveshafts 

Fuel system

Twin double skinned, baffled fuel tanks in the original central position
Twin Holley fuel pumps with in‑line filters
Holley 4‑barrel Avenger 670 cfm carb with automatic choke
Twin throttle return springs
Holley adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Lever arm fuel senders
All lines steel braided

Suspension

Correct GT40 geometry, fully rose‑jointed and adjustable
Front and rear anti‑roll bars (front currently disconnected)
Aluminium billet uprights and anodised wishbones
QA1 adjustable coil spring and damper units with additional light spacer springs

Steering

Rack and pinion
Adjustable rack stops
Zero bump‑steer arms

Wheels and tyres

BRM style Vintage 15" knock‑off alloy wheels
Rear tyres 295/50R15, Front tyres 205/60R15

Electrical

All circuits connected by multiplug connectors
75A alternator
All systems on relays, switched and individually fused
Varta gel heavy duty battery with remote charging lead
Cobra immobiliser (Thatcham approved) BrakesVentilated discs front and rear
Wilwood 6‑pot front callipers
Wilwood 4‑pot rear callipers
Wilwood 'spot' handbrake callipers
Wilwood brake pads
Tilton pedal block
Tilton balance bar
Tilton master cylinders

Chassis

Aluminium welded monocoque, etch‑primed and sprayed satin dark blue
Full tubular roll cage with FIA‑spec padded roof bars

Body

GRP bodywork painted dark blue with white striping and decals
Engine cover interior rear bodywork heat‑shielded with thermo‑matting bonded to GRP
Wheel arches stone‑chip protected internally
High‑power headlamps and driving lamps
Wide‑angle convex rear‑view mirrors
Red rear fog and reversing lights

Air conditioning

Engine‑driven air conditioning compressor
Front‑mounted air‑con radiator
3‑speed fan
Adjustable ‘eyeball’ vents in cockpit

Fire extinguishers

Lifeline FIA‑compliant plumbed‑in gas system with driver and passenger handles
Hand extinguisher in passenger footwell

Interior

Leather seats with brass vent holes and headrests
Full harness seat belts
Electronic speedo
All‑electric gauges with period‑correct appearance
Tilton pedal block
Driver and passenger‑operated fire‑extinguisher system (engine bay and cabin)
Detachable steering wheel
Ignition switch and separate starter button
Immobiliser arming receptacle

Foot‑operated dipswitch 

Windscreen

Pilkington Heated front windscreen
10‑minute timer relay