Skip to content

NEW BOOK IN ‘GREAT CARS’ SERIES TELLS THE COLOURFUL STORY OF THE GULF-LIVERIED, DOUBLE LE MANS-WINNING FORD GT40

Ford GT40
The autobiography of ‘1075’

By Ray Hutton

Published by Porter Press International

Publication date: 10th December, 2017

Jacketed Hardback ● RRP: £60.00 ● ISBN: 978-1-907085-68-0

320 pages ● Format 285mm x 235mm ● 300+ photographs, inc. colour

This sumptuous book tells the story of one of the world’s most important racing cars, the iconic Gulf-liveried blue-and-orange Ford GT40 that won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1968 and again in 1969. The second victory at la Sarthe came after one of the closest-fought battles in the race’s history.

There were also championship wins for this car, chassis number 1075, at Brands Hatch and Spa in Europe, and at Watkins Glen and Sebring in the USA. In two short but glorious years, ‘1075’ was raced by such famously great drivers as Jacky Ickx, Pedro Rodriguez and Brian Redman.

Over the course of 320 pages – lavishly illustrated with nearly 300 period images, plus exclusively commissioned studio photography – this car’s entire competition life is brought vividly back to life. Author Ray Hutton, long-time editor of Autocar magazine, witnessed ‘1075’ race in period and knew team manager John Wyer and many of the GT40 drivers personally.

Story highlights

  • Early in 1968, after non-finishes at Daytona and Sebring, Jacky Ickx and Brian Redman overcame Porsche’s challenge to win the six-hour BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch.
  • In torrential rain at the Spa 1,000Km in Belgium, Ickx demonstrated his wet-weather mastery on his home circuit to take a second victory for 1075, ably supported by Redman.
  • Back in the USA, Ickx and fellow Belgian Lucien Bianchi scored a third win at Watkins Glen amid controversy about team orders.
  • With Ickx sidelined by injury, Mexican ace Pedro Rodriguez joined Bianchi in the car at Le Mans in 1968. They won comfortably after Porsche’s four-car works challenge collapsed.
  • A return to the Sebring 12 Hours, the second of three outings in 1969, brought unexpected success for Ickx and Jackie Oliver against formidable new opposition from Porsche, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari.
  • Ickx and Oliver teamed-up again at Le Mans in 1969 and once more achieved a surprise victory, this time in a race whose outcome remained uncertain until the last lap.

The author

Ray Hutton’s first race working as a motorsport journalist, the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in 1968, was also the occasion of 1075’s first win. Ray was also a reporter at the epic Le Mans race of 1969, and came to know team manager John Wyer and all of 1075’s drivers. Formerly a long-serving editor of weekly magazine Autocar, Ray is now honorary president of the International Car of the Year Jury, vice-president of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and an associate member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club. His work has twice won the Guild’s Montagu Trophy and the Bentley International Trophy.

Spark Lotus 76 #2 Jacky Ickx Belgium GP 1974 1/43 Scale S1770
eBay
£69.99
Spark Lotus 76 #2 Jacky Ickx Belgium GP 1974 1/43 Scale S1770
QQ 9500 SLOTER 400107 FERRARI 312 PB CODA LUNGA #1 JACKY ICKX Slot Car
eBay
£115.12
QQ 9500 SLOTER 400107 FERRARI 312 PB CODA LUNGA #1 JACKY ICKX Slot Car
Norev 1/18 Scale 187439 - Porsche 935 Dijon 6H 1976 Martini Ickx/Mass #1
eBay
£89.99
Norev 1/18 Scale 187439 - Porsche 935 Dijon 6H 1976 Martini Ickx/Mass #1
Spark S1770 Lotus 76 #2 Belgium GP 1974 - Jacky Ickx 1/43 Scale
eBay
£89.99
Spark S1770 Lotus 76 #2 Belgium GP 1974 - Jacky Ickx 1/43 Scale
Scalextric C3588A Legends Brabham BT26A/3 driven by Jacky Ickx One of 4000
eBay
£75.60
Scalextric C3588A Legends Brabham BT26A/3 driven by Jacky Ickx One of 4000
Technomodel Mythos Ferrari P312B2 1972 South Africa Grand Prix Jackie Ickx Ltd70
eBay
£50.59
Technomodel Mythos Ferrari P312B2 1972 South Africa Grand Prix Jackie Ickx Ltd70
SCALEXTRIC 3588A BRABHAM BT-26/23 JACKY ICKX BNIB SPORT S EDITION
eBay
£75.00
SCALEXTRIC 3588A BRABHAM BT-26/23 JACKY ICKX BNIB SPORT S EDITION
New Scalextric Legends C3588A BrabhamBT26/3 as driven by Jackie Ickx. Boxed
eBay
£83.91
New Scalextric Legends C3588A BrabhamBT26/3 as driven by Jackie Ickx. Boxed
MINICHAMPS /F1 1973 GERMAN - McLAREN M23 -J ICKX - 1/43 SCALE 530 734331
eBay
£59.99
MINICHAMPS /F1 1973 GERMAN - McLAREN M23 -J ICKX - 1/43 SCALE 530 734331
Spark Ford GT40 Nurburgring 1000km 1968 Jacky Ickx & Paul Hawkins SG817 1/43 NEW
eBay
£69.99
Spark Ford GT40 Nurburgring 1000km 1968 Jacky Ickx & Paul Hawkins SG817 1/43 NEW
1:12 TRUE SCALE TSM PORSCHE 956 WINNER 24H LE MANS 1982 no1 RESIN MINT IN BOX
eBay
£286.72
1:12 TRUE SCALE TSM PORSCHE 956 WINNER 24H LE MANS 1982 no1 RESIN MINT IN BOX
Spark 1/43 Scale SF252 - Brabham BT23C GP de Reims F2 1969 - #30 Ickx
eBay
£79.99
Spark 1/43 Scale SF252 - Brabham BT23C GP de Reims F2 1969 - #30 Ickx