Africa was a very different place in the 1960s and ’70s, and one where motorsport flourished. Angola was a particularly popular destination for drivers such as Portuguese Emilio Marta, who raced this very Ford GT40 there with great success…
Dual purpose
Marta was fiercely popular in former Portuguese Angola, helped largely by his nationality, but also by his successes in this very car. Matching the configuration of the 1968 Le Mans-winning Gulf-Wyer car, this GT40 was one of the last seven racing versions built. With it, Marta placed third, second and, finally, first in the hotly contested Angolan Championship in 1971, ’72 and ’73, respectively. He then campaigned the car in Portugal, before lopping off the doors and using it to nip down to the shops with his wife (and no, we’re not joking).
Passing through three long-term owners since, the well-documented, matching-numbers car is now for sale with Classic Driver dealer Maxted-Page. Benefitting from a restoration carried out by renowned specialist Modena Motorsport and, remarkably, still with its original engine and gearbox,this GT40 is fully prepared for historic motorsport. With such exceptional provenance, entry to the most important events is all but secured.
Photos: Maxted-Page
You can find this Ford GT40, as well as a broad selection of other historic racing cars, listed for sale in the Classic Driver Market.
