Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. GTD Supercars were the best known and most respected builders of GT40 Replicas in the country in the late 1990s and had the necessary facilities and talented engineers to make an excellent job of it. They had started out originally as agents for the KVA GT40 Replica but it wasn't long before they had redesigned the front and rear of the KVA chassis and were selling the cars as GTDs. As is often the way with bright young engineers, they weren't happy until they were building the whole car to their own standards and many of these still take pride of place at GT40 events today.
On offer here we have a factory-built example that’s finished in Dark Blue with a black interior, gently patinated with a genuine feel of originality and authenticity. First registered in 1990, this particular GTD had just one recorded former keeper prior to our vendor who has enjoyed the car for over thirty years. During this time it has rarely been dormant, pressed in to use on a regular basis for European and UK excursions, and taking in many race circuits on its travels. Regular use dictates regular care and maintenance and our vendor was obviously diligent in that respect as evidenced by the number of invoices in the car’s history file including one that details a recent engine rebuild around a new block.
Motivation is provided by an Arrow Ford 351ci (5. 7-litre) Cleveland V8 with a 750 Holley Carburettor breathing through free-flow headers and exhaust all mated to a period-correct ZF gearbox, a necessary and expensive, circa £20, 000, upgrade due to the fragility of the often utilised Renault gearbox. We understand that engine output is in excess of 400bhp which, in a relatively light car only a few inches off the ground certainly demands your respect. The car was checked over prior to sale by legendary historic racer and GT40 aficionado, Willie Green, and given a clean bill of health. It’s supplied with a comprehensive history file and its current V5C showing that the vehicle is correctly UK registered.
Over the years there have been a number of GT40 replicas, some reasonably accurate and some less so, but the GTD is so close to the original that its new owner will have to get used to being asked on numerous occasions if it’s the real deal.