Opportunities like this rarely surface, even in the upper tiers of the collector car world. Listed here on eBay with a BIN of $2.5M, this 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype represents one of the most elusive chapters of Ford’s legendary GT40 program, a machine rooted deeply in the experimental, no-compromises era when racing success mattered more than paperwork or preservation.
Offered as a complete, running roadster built from original, period-correct GT Roadster components, this car stands apart from replicas, continuations, or later interpretations. According to the seller, nearly all components are either NOS or properly refurbished, and the car has been assembled to match period-correct construction practices used by Ford Advanced Vehicles during 1964–1965. The chassis geometry, weld styles, and materials are said to reflect the same techniques used on the original GT Roadsters developed as part of Ford’s all-out push to defeat Ferrari on the world stage.
Power comes from a 289 cubic-inch Ford V8, carrying a correct 1965 date code. The engine is believed to have originated from Carroll Shelby’s supply network and has reportedly only seen dyno time since completion, where it produced approximately 400 horsepower. Induction is handled by four Weber 48 IDA carburetors, feeding through period-correct plumbing and exiting via a distinctive Bundle of Snakes exhaust. A ZF five-speed transaxle, sourced from the original parts set, completes the drivetrain.
The GT Roadster program itself was never intended for production. These open-cockpit cars were engineering testbeds, used to study aerodynamics, cooling, and chassis behavior in ways the coupe could not. Only a handful—often cited as four or five—were ever constructed. Their short windscreens, open bodies, and experimental nature make them some of the most fascinating GT40 variants ever built.
This particular roadster is closely tied to the long-documented story surrounding GT/109, one of the most famous GT Roadsters, and the extensive cache of original parts discovered at Ford years later. Much of what exists today comes from firsthand accounts, long-term research, and the shared recollections of individuals directly involved with the GT40 program. While no factory documentation assigns a definitive chassis number to this car, respected GT40 historians reportedly do not dispute its authenticity, specification, or period-correct construction.
What’s being offered here is not just a rare car, but a tangible artifact from Ford’s most ambitious racing era. It’s equally suited as a centerpiece in a serious collection or as a historically significant vintage racer—something few GT40-related cars can honestly claim today.
this belongs in the Henry Ford Museum
I don’t think so, Bob
Better in Henry museum where people can see it, vs some “collectors” shop, where it gets dusted once a month & never seen again.
At least it is not Craig’s List. This seems very cheap for what it is.
Cheap? It is very expensive, even Superformance cars have a correct VIN number. This is a total air car, it is not worth any more than a Superformance (which is a very good “continuation” GT40)
I looking for a 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix parts car
The only reason I clicked on ‘read more’ was to see the asking price. There is no way I could buy this car no matter what the asking price is, (I don’t have the garage space, ha) besides I would rather have a 2005, 2006 FORD GT, but I’m just curious what these ultra rare vehicles are worth. But surprise, no asking price in the writeup. I don’t have the time or energy to go to eBay to try to track it down. So let me ask you this Elizabeth, why don’t you include the asking price in any of your writeups? Please don’t black list me.
It is priced at 2.5 Million.
Hey Woofer – 2 seconds to click shows me its listed for $2.5 Million
I think the reason is stated right below the first photo. I would guess BF gets a kickback every time they force us to go to ebay etc. Other writers include the price and location, but two consistently do not. I usually just skip their write-ups unless it’s a particularly unusual vehicle like this glorified clone. Yes, I know it’s just a few additional clicks, but to some of us old-timers it is an annoying waste of time. And I don’t want ebay to know what I’m looking at any more than I want google to know what I’m searching for. I get enough ads already.
Hey, Darryl: So, if BF gets a kickback, what’s the problem? Good on them. In my experience, BF is one big, happy (if, at times, slightly dysfunctional) family. To their credit, the owners of this site don’t just let anyone submit content and I feel a connection with those writers that do, including those that might not “include price and location”. I note that you are not a “member”. Maybe you could pony up a couple of bucks a month? This is a really nice enthusiast site without egos with a lot of collective knowledge. Try it, you’ll like it (Bubble Up, anyone?)
Euromoto – I didn’t say kickbacks were a problem. I just stated my theory as to why some BF writers fail to include price and location, which would seem like a logical and helpful bit of info. As for becoming a member, being old and on a fixed income I haven’t yet, but will certainly consider it – maybe when they address this minor but annoying issue?
Even if BF is an Ebay affiliate they don’t make a penny unless someone actually buys something within 24hrs of clicking. I’ve been an affiliate and seller for over a decade and I currently link to HHO kits and components.
I agree. Not putting a price in the write-up might make since to the writer of the article but eBay has a policy to pull down a vehicle listing after a short period of time if the price is not in the original Barnfinds writeup, and a future reader wanted to know the value of the car, that link is dead.
I WHOOLY agree with Woofer… if you can’t tell me the price, then I don’t care enough to go search for it. And it has nothing to do with anyone being too old or lazy to click a hyperlink, anymore than it has the original poster being too lazy or too sneaky to post the asking price in the first place. Cars, houses, boats, I don’t care. Tell me how much it is (even if it’s just MSRP) or don’t waste my time peddling your crap. Maybe it’s too expensive for me (at $2.5m, this is a wee pricy), but you’ll never know if you can’t pique my curiosity.
Apparently you just come here for the pictures, the price is in the first paragraph.
Yes Ron, it’s in there today, Jan 9th, but you’re about a day late. It was not in there on the 8th. It must have been added to the writeup. Thank you Elizabeth.
The first few sentences showed the asking price.
Hello, Audrain…another one for you!!!
Built clone with NOS parts.
Let me go to my printer to create some nice look a like bearer bonds 😗. The period correct ink is phenomenal and the printing is spectacular 😎..,
Good luck with sale.
I’ll just go out to the money tree, pluck off a couple of armfuls and drop it onto something that isn’t the real thing. Someone is dreaming here, or else they don’t really want to sell.
Yeah, What do you suppose it would cost to cobble together an honest replica?
Until a week ago, I had never seen the movie Ford vs Ferrari. (currently on Netflix) Needless to say, a great movie, as I discovered. I had to crank up the sound system as I sometimes do when watching bands, but this music was pure engine.
I’ll buy this & park it next to my P51 Mustang,& then I’ll wake up
from that dream.
I saw the movie Ford Versus Ferrari & enjoyed the driving scenes,
but couldn’t see Matt Damon being Carroll Shelby – too much of a
“Pretty Boy” to be Shelby.Also too much fiction.
I’d rather see “The World’s Fastest Indian” again.
Way too much fiction in that movie! Found myself shouting at the TV! “That never happened!”
Just to say something nice about the car, the GT40 design is pure art, even if this one is a clone.
I agree Bob. Good write up Eliza. Although form followed function it’s a beautiful car. The 2005 model corrected some aerodynamic problems and it had a roof but not pricewise a car for the average car collector-lover. Engine likely produces power and music.
Last I saw Dana Mecum owns 109 and no sale’d it a couple of years ago with the bid at $7.5 mil. So why would it be available now on EB for $2.5 mil? Ain’t the real thing. Or maybe its a “real” car but built from the parts bin.
I used to know a guy that had a fully accurate Lola GTMkIIIB – that never left the factory as a complete car. He acquired every part needed to assemble a complete, correct Lola. It was just never built as one whole car hence didn’t have a VIN. So this is either a parts car build or a straight up fake.
I think the phrase “closely tied to car 109” is a concern. It’s unclear from the descriptions when the car was assembled, who did the body, where did the chassis come from, etc? A lot of questions here. But a nice car.
2.5 Million on e-bay, maybe give C/L a shot at 2.75 million.
My first thought on seeing this was “why is this listed on eBay?” Upon reading further, it is possibly because if the seller listed it on one of the market places such as Bring A Trailer, there would be too many questions asked. If this is indeed the car that Dean Jeffries owned, it was either simply “given” to him by Ford back in the day, or I have also read that he paid $1 for it! Was worth nothing but an old race car at the time, and Jeffries used many parts in several of his custom car builds at the time.
For $300,000. Divers street rods could probably build one just like it.
mire pocket change for some
As others have stated, I am even more confused reading the description – was this an actual test bed chassis or just a cobble together of spare parts? Is it from that era – or built to that era’s specs (like they do for historic racing classes) or ????
The way I read the description, it was built from spare, and left-over parts. I don’t believe it’s what it’s advertised as.
Ill chim in. I restored gt 40 108 many years ago before it sold for 1 million. At the time it was worth 5-600k while restoring i did major interviews with the guys that worked on it . the plan was to run the hill climb races in Europe such as the targa flora. thats why they did not have a top. A targa was going to be made and a header fabricated once designed. but for whatever reason Ford chose not to race the events. Original 108 had all sorts of holes in the monocogue. the owner wanted me to repair and cover up. I was able to determine that those where there from running different engines and transmissions. Everything from a 4 cylinder offy to 500 ci big blocks had been put in th. Colloti zf and other transaxles had been installled in tbe car. the holes were history. I left them .The original ran wire wheels. The most interesting thing was shelbys wife loved the car and drove it to town for shopping. at a vintage race in the Bahamas ford paid to have the car appear. One of the executives reached up and pulled himself out with the windshield that had no reinforcement. It broke. They paid 10,000 to have the original shipped to england to duplicate. I paid 300 each for three spares . it took 7 in all to get 4 good ones as they got broken in transit. I still have a broken one . i still have many parts off the original that were deemed too worn to race. Haveing Ford involved looking for parts at tge time the claim that many original parts were found many years later is total BS. dozens of people in the know and close to the time the cars were still fairly new spent thousands of hours buying up everything for them.The fiberlass used has a vintage weave. This car does not have original nose. 108 sold for almost 8 million several years back. This clone is worth a tenth of that and only if there are actually good used original parts on it. my son got a kick when it sold at auction remembering i took him to school in it a few times when i was breaking in the engine.. great memories. Great car. not so much for The k mart kit car here.
Thank you Mickey for some real
history!
Suspect $2.5 M is NOT the Buy-It-Now price, but rather opening bid required. Too chicken to hit BIN to test theory.
If the seller forthrightly acknowledges that this is a period correct parts-bin assembly, then why all the hate? Having said that, the font on the words “Ford GT” on the blue side stripe is definitely NOT period correct.
I’m curious that if this sold at the asking price, would that be an EBay record?
Funny there is NO Ford blue oval emblem on the nose. Ford was so big on beating Ferrari that one would think that Mr.Ford would have insisted that an emblem would be there. I don’t believe this car is what is claimed to be. If it was real,it would be worth alot more money and not on ebay!
The second my rich uncle gets out of the poor-house, this puppy is mine.
I wonder why it’s right hand drive?