Ford
GT40

General Data

Finally Fielding sold the car to Paul Weldon. Weldon owned the car for three years, often using it on the road as Fielding had. During 1973 he also entered and won a concourse event at Brands Hatch, demonstrated the car in the pre-race parade at Le Mans and used it in the GT40 team in the 6 hour relay race at Silverstone, demonstrating what a versatile car the GT40 was.

Mid 1974 saw Weldon acquire the Mirage M10001 from Anthony Hutton, giving 1034 in part exchange. Shortly afterwards George Parlby an Australian visiting the UK saw and bought 1034 shipping it to Australia on his return home.

Parlby raced the car regularly in Australian events until 1982, when he retired it from the track. The car was spruced up and re-sprayed in the familiar JWA / Gulf colour scheme of Light Blue and Marigold. It reappeared for the inaugural Australian G.P. meeting in 1985 having its engine stripped and rebuilt for the occasion.

1034 was featured on the cover of Sports and Classic Cars in 1988 before being passed to an American collector, one Harley Cluxton and then to the billionaire Sam Walton, where it shared a garage with the dual Le Mans winning Gulf GT40 (Chassis #1075). The car then went through the hands of noted GT40 devotee George Stauffer to German born Peter Rossler who purchased the car in 1995. Although in excellent condition, in true German style the car underwent further restoration, preparing it to original race specifications. 1034 became a prominent entrant at historic meetings around Europe in the famous GTM series, winning last time out at the prestigious Grand Prix of Stuttgart meeting held at the famous Hockenheim Circuit.

In July'99, historic touring car enthusiast David Bowden acquired 1034 at the Silverstone historic race weekend in England. Since returning to Australian soil in August '99, 1034 has been at many different events including the Leyburn Historic Sprints, Noosa Beach Concourse (winning best competition car) and the Queensland All Ford Day (winning 3 awards including car of the show). It was also a feature car at the Ipswich 500 V8 Supercar race in October '99 where driver Kevin Bartlett turned in (on road tyres) laps of 1 minute 19 - only seconds off the V8 Supercars race times. Not bad for an old car and an even older driver!

In November '99 the car was invited to compete in the 'Adelaide Classic Rally' where it proceeded to give both driver, Kevin Bartlett and navigator, David Bowden many thrills. It was entered in the International Supersports Cup race at the 2000 Melbourne Grand Prix. Once again Kevin Bartlett drove the GT40 to its limit! The highlight of the race was beating the 7 litre Mark IV GT40 owned by American Tom Malloy. The car was caught up in a race start mêlée where up to five cars were seriously damaged, only Kevin's skill and perception saved the GT40 from the same fate.

The car was returned to its original Pine Green colour in 2001 and looks sharper than ever. It still gets the odd run in historic meetings such as "Speed on Tweed". P1034 has been on numerous TV segments as well as being a 'feature car' in the Australian Classic Car and Leaded magazine.

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