Missed connection

Missed connection

AUTOCAR’S RECENT ARTICLE ABOUT

sampling a Ford GT40 took me back to when Jenks had one to try. He drove it to Wales to see us (above), but then had to hurry away to keep a date in London. The GT40 was low on fuel so I directed him to the nearest garage, five miles distant.

A daughter wanted a ride in this exciting car; had Ford not won at Le Mans four times, thus giving Ferrari what Autocar calls “the ultimate twofinger salute”? But as Ferrari had won this race eight times already, Enzo could have returned the gesture with interest Anyway, off went DSJ and my daughter. But when there was no sign of the GT40, I set off to see why. DSJ was still at the garage. Having

refuelled, the car had then refused to restart, and he was dismantling the wiring, cross at being lent a duff car.

I spotted a switch on the door panel, at ‘off’, probably knocked thus by Jenks’s shoulder as he got out. Drawing his attention to it, I was told I was useless at working on cars and told to shut up. I went for a walk, returned, and again indicated the switch. This time DSJ reluctantly moved it to ‘on’, tried the starter, and the engine burst into eager life. He was off immediately, to keep his date.

I assumed that the switch was for cutting out all the electrics at pitstops. But I wonder if this roadgoing Essex-registered GT40 was ever raced? Does anyone remember?