Here's Why You Need To Go To The Henry Ford Museum RIGHT NOW!

"Egoods" (egoods)
08/27/2014 at 10:28 • Filed to: Unintended $kaybait

Friends, Family, Fellow Jalops I come bearing urgent news. The car you're looking at in the above picture is the GT40 Mark I Chassis # 1075 currently on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Why is this significant? Because it won at Le Mans. Once? HA! No, that chassis won TWICE. In 1968 and 69. It was the first car in history to win Le Mans two times consecutively using the same chassis. This is no small feat. This also makes it one of (if not THE) most valuable cars in existence. Its non-Le Man-winning counterpart? Sold for $11 Million a few years ago (chassis 1074). If this car were to ever go to auction there's a good possibility it would be able to upset Ferrari in just one more competition.

But YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER TO FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS BEAUTY! I personally take responsibility for not informing you earlier. Typically this spot would be filled by the 1967 Mark IV GT40 Le Mans winner (Chassis J-5). Not insignificant in its own right, it was the only true-blue American GT40 to win at Le Mans (American built car with American drivers). Where is THAT GT40 now? Well according to a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! article from February the Mark IV was damaged in transit from an appearance at Goodwood in 2012, I've heard varying reports but we do know. It's currently it was (until mid-June-ish) at Gurney's All American Race Shop for repairs. But it returns to the in October, and this privately owned car heads back to it's owner's home.

So, who owns 1075? Well... the museum informed me the lender wanted to remain anonymous, but sighting in his home town, and various forum posts and other resources pretty much confirmed that it's owned by Rob Walton (ya know, like the Walmart family... allegedly, son of the founder, make decent money, etc...). Yep, a "humble" grocer lays claim to one of the most significant cars in racing history. or so the rumors go. Hopefully he'll see fit to display it somewhere in the future.

Oh, hey, if you have a long drive ahead of you on your way to Michigan snag !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on Audiobook to listen to along the way. Not only a must-read for any Jalop but a great way to get yourself in the mood!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So, make haste and head down my way, because who knows how long it could be before this vehicle is publicly displayed again.

UPDATE: Commenter !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! pointed out that the MKIV is actually on-property at the museum now! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Of course, this was last week, so it's possible the MK IV may have moved... so your mileage may vary on this one folks!

DISCUSSION (100)

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:21

Also, the entire Henry Ford Museum has a ton of other significant cars like the Kennedy assassination Lincoln and a GM EV1 plus way more and a ton of other cool stuff.

Mattbob > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:24

I went there a couple months ago. Its odd that I don't go more often, I'm only like 40 mins away. Seeing that car in person is awesome. Such a hero car. The whole museum is amazing though.

Milky > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:24

Just don't go to the electronics area if you don't want to feel old.

Egoods > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
08/27/2014 at 10:24

It's a fantastic place really... between the Museum, historic village, and now the River Rouge Factory "Experience" I would say it's a must-visit for anybody that finds themselves remotely in the are. As someone who works in manufacturing the factory tour/experience did an awesome job of explaining the intricacies of what's involved at a level that everyone could understand. And the cat-walk around the portion of the assembly line is pretty cool too!

Egoods > Mattbob
08/27/2014 at 10:27

Admittedly I hadn't been there since in easily 10 years. For 5 of those years I lived 500 miles away, but otherwise I, just like yourself, live about 40 minutes away. I had friends from out of state in for the auto show in January and decided to take them. I was blown away by the improvements made, and finally remembered what a cool place it really is.

Mattbob > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:30

i took these a month or so ago.

its an automotive orgy of awesome.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:32

Now I have something to do!!

Sam > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:34

The museum is in Michigan, yeah? That's actually doable in a day trip. I think I was there one other time, but I was like 6 so I don't remember much.

RaceVet > Milky
08/27/2014 at 10:34

Ah JetMoto, that plus GranTurismo defined my childhood

Egoods > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/27/2014 at 10:35

I just called my dad and told him he needs to go pay homage... meet ya there? :)

DiscoTReK > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:36

I'm only going if the Flex Chassis #001 is there.

philsphan09 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:36

Mind elaborating on the River Rough Factory Experience? Hopefully visiting the museum from the east coast soon!

Egoods > Mattbob
08/27/2014 at 10:37

Indeed. My friend that came along is what I refer to as a NASCAR savant... the dude knows everything you could know about NASCAR (and he's not AT ALL like the image that you just conjured in your head, trust me.).... apparently there's some pretty significant cars regard that as well.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:37

Maybe :)

I'm only 25 minutes away!

quarterlifecrisis > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:37

It's been a couple years since I've gone to the Henry Ford. One of my favorite places to wander around. Very cool.

CalzoneGolem > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:38

All respect to $kay but forget about that GT! That thing behind it! HNNNGGGHHH!!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:40

Looks like I'm going to be making a road trip up to Michigan soon...

Bonus, it has a ZF 5-speed in it! :D

inefficient > philsphan09
08/27/2014 at 10:42

They're closed (re-tool for the new F150) until October.
http://www.thehenryford.org/rouge/index.as…

Egoods > philsphan09
08/27/2014 at 10:42

Certainly! I'll basically run you through it. You jump on a bus just outside the Museum and head to the plant. They drop you off at an atrium on the outskirts of the plant. You walk in and go through an interactive video presentation. Then there's several other displays/exhibits that explain the history of the plant and current operation. It all culminated with a totally open walk on a cat-walk that is overlooking a portion of the assembly line (interior if I recall, and a window into QC). You're watching real F150s be assembled right before your eyes, and there's no divider per-se (a nasty 40ft drop though) so it gives a great feeling of actually being in a plant without the dangers/knowledge/liability involved with that.

I also found the staff on-site to be extremely informative and approachable. You could tell they really enjoyed what they do and loved showing people what it is that happens behind the walls of these monolithic buildings.

thisusernameforsale > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:43

$kaybait!

Seriously, though - it'd be an interesting place to go. Can they move it closer to Australia?

Mattbob > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:43

yeah, I hear the one in the background of my picture won the championship or some such thing a few years ago. Still has confetti stuck to it ( I think they may have glued it on)

Milky > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:44

I don't know how close you are to Detroit, but if you get a chance I'd stop by the Ford Piquette Plant too. Its not any where near the scale of the museum buts its cool to see how they made cars before the production line.

Kinja'd!!!

plus they have a GT too, and its not roped off.

Kinja'd!!!

Egoods > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/27/2014 at 10:45

If I didn't have a packed work-afternoon ahead of me I would totally jump in my car and head down. Some beef shawarma and humus for lunch and then a payment of respects to the car gods... not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

RX > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:45

Ill take the Foyt/Gurney driven '67 over the one driven by Jules Bianchi's uncle.

Milky > RaceVet
08/27/2014 at 10:48

#Memories

GrayHays > DiscoTReK
08/27/2014 at 10:49

I have a friend who is such a blue-oval fan that when it was time to buy his wife a proper mom car he came home with a brand new Ford Flex. She refused to drive it. Today he goes to work in that monstrosity every day, while his wife goes shopping in her Escalade. He eagerly awaits the new Expedition with Ecoboost.

Michael Zaite > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:49

it seems to be pretty much common knowledge on the GT40s.com forums that it's owned by Robert Walton (ya know, like the Walmart family... allegedly).

So all it takes to own something like this is to inherit your father's business and walk all over the lower class. cool.....

Haze > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:51

About twenty years ago I went to visit a friend in Birmingham England, and while we are rolling around town we stop in Bourneville so he can show me a window filled with classic Aston Martins. I walk up to this really, really dirty window and sure enough there are a couple of old DBs, nice, and then at the end, there was the car you have photographed above. I was speechless. I had no idea it was there, or where it was. My friend goes, oh that is just some kit car or something. I then started explaining a Gulf GT40 was the only car ever to win Le Mans twice. Then a little sign told me that this car was the car that I had just described to him.

In short, it is worth the trip. That car is an icon right along side the Shelby Daytona Coupe and the Bugatti Tank.

Chris > philsphan09
08/27/2014 at 10:51

Just a reminder, the Rouge plant will be shut down until the end of September for retooling for the new F-150. So the tour will still be going on, but it will be VERY boring as you'll have to watch videos of what's happening vs actually seeing it up close and personal. Having been on the tour when production is happening AND when the model year change over happens the production is much more interesting.

jacknifetoaswan > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:52

I've been to every Smithsonian Institute museum, and the Henry Ford (it's not the Henry Ford Museum, just the Henry Ford) is, far and away, the best museum in the United States.

If you're even remotely interested in industrial development, cars, Americana, you HAVE to go.

When I was there, the Mustang GT/CS had yet to be released, and I saw dozens driving around Dearborn. Very cool thing to see!

Egoods > Milky
08/27/2014 at 10:53

I've been a to the Piquette plant several times, another fantastic spot. And while that GT may not be roped off... it's also worth about a 1/100th the money.

jacknifetoaswan > Mattbob
08/27/2014 at 10:54

Looks like Trevor Bayne's car, from when he won the Daytona 500.

DiscoTReK > GrayHays
08/27/2014 at 10:54

LOL!

philsphan09 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:55

That sounds amazing

Milky > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 10:55

But you can touch it ….

Kinja'd!!!

I just think its cool to goto the OG spot and see where they were made.

RX > Mattbob
08/27/2014 at 10:58

That's car that Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 with 2 or 3 years ago. And yes, it went straight from victory lane to the museum, confetti still on it. And i dont think it's glued, stuck from the Gatorade and Pepsi they spray in victory lane, (as opposed to champagne in F1, Nascar cant get too classy now)

Egoods > jacknifetoaswan
08/27/2014 at 11:01

When I say "The Henry Ford Museum" I am referring to the Museum at The Henry Ford... The Henry Ford refers to the whole complex (iMax, Village, Museum, and River Rouge Tour).

And I agree it's a spectacular all-interest museum. I haven't been to the Smithsonian Institutes in my adult life (I was 6-7 when I went) so I can't pass judgment. Also, it's the Smithsonian Institutes (pluralized) when you're referring to them as the collective, otherwise you need to specify what Institute you're referring to. Sorry, I had to, now we're even :)

dp455 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:02

The only authentic GT40 I have ever seen in person is at the Hall of Fame museum at the Indy Motor Speedway. They also have Parnelli Jones' Bronco "Big Oli" along with lots of other cool stuff like every winning Indy car ever. The museum only costs like $5 to go so if you are ever in Indy check it out. I highly recommend it.

RedWhine > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:04

#Unintended $kaybait? Lies! Me thinks this is very intentional

Egoods > dp455
08/27/2014 at 11:06

When did you go to the museum at Indy? It was possibly this very car that you saw! When Gulf Oil still owned the car they regularly leant it to the museum at Indy to display.

dp455 > dp455
08/27/2014 at 11:06

To be honest I think The museum only had 70 or so of the winning cars and they were on limited display, but its still totally worth it.

JR1 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:09

Got to see this car last year at the museum it was simply breathtaking.

Egoods > RedWhine
08/27/2014 at 11:10

I was wondering if anybody would notice that... I couldn't really think of any other witty category to stuff this in-to. If it becomes "a thing" I'd like to establish that I made it up before my second cup of coffee, I'm proud of that!

dp455 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:13

Well, I live in the area so I've been a few times. The one I recall wasn't one of the Gulf GTs, though I wish it has been. The one I saw was a funky green and burgundy color scheme. I snapped some pics but I don't have them handy.

jacknifetoaswan > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:13

YOU THREW MY PEDANTIC BULLSHIT RIGHT BACK AT ME! AHHH!!!

dp455 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:14

here is one I pulled from the net

burglar can't heart click anything > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/27/2014 at 11:15

Hell, I'm walking distance.

Mers > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:15

J6 is the Donohue/McLaren car that took 4th place and is owned by James Glickenhaus, who bought it thinking it was the winning car but after deep research found out that it wasn't. And still kept it and restored it to it's Le Mans colors and drives the hell out of it in NY roads.

Also, the dude's name is Robson Walton, not Robert.

StalePhish > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:19

Kinja'd!!!

$kaybait

Brumos59-2 > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:20

I saw this car and the 1967 LeMans winning GT40 Mk. IV side by side several years ago at the Lime Rock Vintage Fall Festival along with a 427 Cobra, a Cobra Daytona Coupe, and a few significant '50s & '60s Ferraris all being run out of the same transporter so I wouldn't doubt that Walton owns both of them. I remember watching one of the mechanics open the door of one of the Ferraris and banging it against the precious aluminum door of the adjacent Ferrari.

Autojunkie > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:22

If you have that long drive ahead of you, as previously mentioned, also check out the Gilmore Car Museum.

http://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/

I'm a Michigan lifer and my first I was ever there was this year for the Relix Riot. The museum is absolutely fantastic! It's like a more intimate Henry Ford/Greenfield Village.

Kinja'd!!!

abzman > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:23

Dude, I was just there for makerfaire. I have the same sentiment, but not 100ft away from where you took that photo (if memory serves) is a Tucker 48. THAT is why I say to go.

Tha_Stig > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:24

Chassis 1016 sold for more than $12M about 10 years ago in a private sale. I am sure that when/if (I don't see the owner giving it up anytime soon) chassis 1046 is ever sold it will crush the price of the Ferrari.

PatrickPM > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:25

I really want this car to go up for auction so it can spank Ferrari again. Maybe at the Le Mans auction?

monovich > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:27

Kinja'd!!!

Let's just go ahead and say it: Raddest car ever. 250GTO? GTFO.

Egoods > Brumos59-2
08/27/2014 at 11:28

I doubt that's correct, I don't have the exacts (because records on such things are hard to find) but the Mark IV was a factory-backed car so I can only assume it was gifted to the Museum from Ford. The 1075 was not factory backed, and therefore left in private hands. None the less I'm quite sure the Mark IV has been at the museum for longer then the Walton family has had it's massive fortune.

It's not uncommon for the cars to be brought together for events like this though, I've seen quite a few pictures of this car with it's two "brothers" (1074, and 1076) at Pebble Beach, etc...

$kaycog > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:34

I had no idea! I would love to see in person. Thanks so much for this!! *sigh*

WingaDingaDingaDingaDinga > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
08/27/2014 at 11:41

It is really cool and crazy that I can go see the Kennedy Lincoln whenever I want, depending on what days the museum is open.

Egoods > $kaycog
08/27/2014 at 11:46

Well, the Hot Wheels version is like the next best thing... and yes I have it sitting on my desk. They're from some special series a few years back, I think I picked this one up for ~$20 on ebay EDIT: Here's a link to the search , they're $25-30. Hell that's not that much more then the admission to the museum! Yeah, I know this isn't helping...

twelvehappymen > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:49

Can't say enough good stuff about the whole Henry Ford complex. I've been going since I was a kid, and my wife and I have been members for years. I take the kids there in the winter probably every other week, because it's a huge indoor space to run around in. In spite of having gone dozens upon dozens of times, I still see something new every time I go. The steam engines (static ones from factories and mines and such) alone are worth the admission price. Any enginerd can spend a couple hours just marveling at the enormous Highland Park engine/generator they stuck in the middle of the place.

The train roundhouse in the village is another must-see site. For about a whole year they were rebuilding a steam engine by hand. Pounding boilerplate into shape with gigantic hammers. Unbelievable place.

Plecostomus is a starred commenter > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:50

OR — OR — And just hear me out here - go to the Miller Collection museum which boasts one example of every variant of the GT40 ever produced, various other famous race cars and then if it's a Thursday you can go take your car out onto the track right there at Miller Motorsports Park, too.

Of course, this requires a trip to Utah, but I'm pretty sure I can convince people to visit Utah instead of the Detroit area.

guidon > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:54

The Henry Ford Museum is a national treasure showcasing much more than automotive related history. When you visit the sprawling museum allow enough time to visit nearby Greenfield Village as well. Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit my elementary school would make an annual, overnight field trip to the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village which I remember well. Both facilities are truly awesome! I'm thankful to the Ford Family for accumulating, preserving and sharing such a vast repository of our history.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > burglar can't heart click anything
08/27/2014 at 11:56

Lucky you. I have to take Southfield Freeway to get there, and you're just walking distance in Dearborn? :P

$kaycog > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 11:57

Awesome Hot Wheels! I have about sixty 1:64 scale Ford GTs/GT40s hanging on my garage wall, but I don't have this one. Mmmm, I'll put it on my Santa list.

The Scorpion King > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:04

My current computer background: TEH SEX

Egoods > Plecostomus is a starred commenter
08/27/2014 at 12:07

I'm sure a bunch of car-nuts would go to Utah long before Detroit, I mean, duh!!

Or... wait, that doesn't make any sense. All I'd do is schedule it during the fall open-house at the Lingenfelter collection. You may be familiar with some of the cars in Ken Lingenfelter's collection but I'll start with the most historically signfiicant one. The first ever V8 Corvette.

Then there's the Lamborghini Reventon, nearly as rare as a GT40. A Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari Enzo, F40, and F50. And... well it's 3 warehouse of awesome cars that you can wander through freely. Check out http://www.thelingenfeltercollection.com/ for a few more cars in the collection, there's various Youtube videos of the "Sultan of Michigan" where people do a video walk-through if you're so inclined. But it's essentially one of the top car collections in the US, and THE top collection that allows the public in on a somewhat regular basis.

I can go on with equally epic car-related things to do around town but if you're a regular reader you should already be pretty familiar.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:14

That right there, is an excellent idea for my upcoming Friday.

Le Monstre > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:16

I collected information for P1075 for the final year we had a museum at Laguna Seca. Since I no longer perform that job, let me just say the owner is a dick, and I hope Ford buys it from him with a blank check.

The car though is nothing but a Holy Grail, it even has a glowing aura around it. The problem I have with the livery, is it's the post Le Mans, Gulf advertising car, which would be shown around Ford dealerships, or Gulf PR stunts, and many people don't know unless they play GT4, or look at pictures from the race, there was a lot more stickers on it, which I prefer.

P.S. go up to the Left hand side (side closest to us in the photo) there is a small placard with the Chassis# right under the air duct/ clamp.

Kinja'd!!!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > RX
08/27/2014 at 12:16

They do Champagne when they win the championship.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:22

I went a few years ago. I really need to go again. Living 800 miles away makes that a little hard.

Dar > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:26

My father and I went to Detroit in January for the auto show and made our way out to the Ford Museum. I was humbled by this very car. The museum is great but this was a shocker. Even more amazing IRL!

journeymanbaiter > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:26

I can picture $kaycog right now.......typing away furiously on her keyboard.....searching for the marital status of Robert Walton.

FastForward > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:32

It's a little too far for me but damn that's HOT. I'd be there in a second. Judging by some of the comments the rest of it is a really cool place to see - I need to plan a trip!

Ronnie Schreiber > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:32

More pics of the Gulf livery GT40 here.

Thunder > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:34

Answer: because given that GT40, you'll find $kay there.

AMIRITE?

Egoods > Dar
08/27/2014 at 12:34

Agreed. I'm kind of surprised there was no real "push" or announcement about the cars presence. I'm on the mailing list and received no notification or notice. I mean I understand it's being used as a place holder, but it's still quite possibly the most valuable car in the world (monetary) and carries a heft significance behind it.

Granted, I'll agree that the Mark IV 1967 winner has more cultural/historical significance then 1075. Which wasn't built in the US, nor piloted by American drivers. But in terms of overall racing significance it carries a heavy weight.

I'd be curious to find out what would bring more money, the Mark IV or 1075.

Egoods > Thunder
08/27/2014 at 12:36

That would be correct.

RedPir8Roberts > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 12:44

And the Henry Ford is also home to this, although it was actually at the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca two weeks ago to welcome its great-grandson Mustang. The Mustang I concept, 109 hp mid-engine lightweight screamer.

Kinja'd!!!

Hifrequency > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
08/27/2014 at 13:04

An interesting fact, the idea for the modern assembly line wasn't Henry Fords idea at all.

One of his employees went to a meat processing plant to pick up some meat & while he was there he looked at the way a carcass was hung from a hook & moved through the plant to various work stations, each area had specialized workers who would were processing of the animals into specific meat cuts before sending the carcass on its way to the next work station for further butchering until it reached the end of the line & it had been fully rendered.

This employee went back to Henry Ford & explained what he had seen & discussed doing the same with Fords cars, I hope that individual received a substantial raise & bonus.

NotYeezus > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
08/27/2014 at 13:08

A GM EV1? *buys a ticket to Detroit*

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > burglar can't heart click anything
08/27/2014 at 13:24

You're a lucky SOB.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 13:29

Small point of contention:

The Walton family stopped being 'humble grocers' right about the time Sam died. His kids running the Walmart empire now are pure evil corporate scum and massive greedy assholes who do not care about anyone other than themselves.

Fuck them.

WMUCarGuy > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 13:46

I have even better news. If you go to the Henry Ford Museum RIGHT NOW, you'll be able to see BOTH MKI #1075 AND MKIV #J5! The car had been at Gurney's for a conservation and just returned to the Henry Ford within the last few days.

I was there last week and we spotted it on a shipping skid in a room in the back, near all of the industrial equipment. It's behind glass, and strapped to shipping skids, but it's still totally visible to the public.

I'd suspect 1075 will be swapped out for J5 in the near future, but if you go NOW, you can see both! Hell, I even dressed for the occasion!

Kinja'd!!!

Egoods > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/27/2014 at 13:47

Sarcasm sometimes doesn't come across very well in text... I meant it as a totally sarcastic line.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 13:52

Something like ' marks, or "cough humble grocer cough cough" might have helped. But yes you're right sarcasm does not transfer through font well.

You could have also just called them what they are; greedy fucking assholes.

Egoods > WMUCarGuy
08/27/2014 at 13:53

I'll add a note! My note to the museum just told me that the 1075 would be gone in October, so I assumed it was still in transit from repair.

I'll add a note to the article, this makes it even more of a unique series of events!

Egoods > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/27/2014 at 13:56

I kept my personal feelings out of it, we're talking about one singular man... and a very cool car. Hell I don't even know 100% if he still owns the car. Also deriding the owners car while in the same story putting a note hoping for more frequent showings and displays of the car seems counter productive. Ya know what I mean?

I may agree with you but there's a time and place for everything, and this wasn't it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 14:09

Yeah I know. I don't disagree with your initial comment, and it was the best way to handle it.

Egoods > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/27/2014 at 14:11

Given the most recent information (that both 1075 and the Mark IV are possibly viewable, more info at the end of my post) I'm actually planning to head down that way and check it out for myself. If you're interested in tagging along you're more then welcome. Email me at egoods (at) gmail.com if you're interested. Otherwise I'm flyin solo!

Ted > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 14:21

For a moment I thought that someone had pirated my picture. But I have determined that everybody takes a picture of 1075 from that exact location. I also didn't realize the significance of that car when I took the picture. That's one special GT40.

I also have pics of the mark IV from the small window by the antique steam engines. Some scientist looking fellow in a lab jacket was rubbing mysterious liquids into very small locations on the rear clamshell. I can only assume he was polishing a very localized area of paint.

I visited the museum on 6/16/2014

Egoods > Ted
08/27/2014 at 14:30

So it seems the Mark IV has been "in-house" for some time now, they must be doing final prep or something along those lines before re-displaying. Honestly, I have no idea what process is even involved in displaying a vehicle. Since it seems I may be going up there tomorrow or Friday to see both cars, I'll reach out and see if it's possible to get more info on that... it sounds interesting.

And for the record I used the photo from the museum's blog, it appears to be an incredibly common angle though! http://blog.thehenryford.org/2014/03/gt40-1…

RalphieDC > NotYeezus
08/27/2014 at 14:53

There's one at the Tellus Science Museum just outside Atlanta also.

Plecostomus is a starred commenter > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 14:59

I suppose the Miller Collection is more of a thing if you are a Ford or Shelby fan, but the fact that one of EVERY VERSION of the GT40 including the roadgoing variant (classic and the contemporary Ford GT) are present, all packed into a single, small room.

It's the best not-really-publicized car collection I've run across.

Rusty Shackleford > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 15:04

I actually snuck a touch of 1075 at Laguna Seca about 11 years back after I watched it lap the track. It was one of the single greatest moments of my life. That was also the historic race where all three winning MKIV's were there, a few MKII's, and the one that crashed going up turn 6. It was the single largest GT40 get together ever.

And finally somebody else who thinks this could be the most valuable car out there.

Egoods > Rusty Shackleford
08/27/2014 at 15:18

Well now that we know you touched it I recind my statement about it's value... the depreciation from BTDUBS' fingers are known to cause long term paint issues. So, way to go on that!

I kid... And yes, I do believe if it were to go to auction today (not private sale...) it could sell for more then the current record of 38.118 million set by the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO . At this level you're buying the car because of the story behind it... and 1075 has a hell of a story behind it! I'd be extremely interested to know what Rob Walton paid for the car... but I highly doubt he'd reveal that.

On a related note, I do know someone who got an original GT40 for ~$2,000... how's that for a deal! Ok, so it was in the 60s and he was a GM engineer at the time. They purchased the GT40s to test out (not uncommon for manufacturers to buy competitor vehicles for testing). They offered it up to employees involved in the progem when they were done and nobody really wanted. $2,000 later the guy has a multi-million dollar car. He was a friend of a friend so I'm not 100% sure he still owns it but only a couple (if that) GT40s go up for sale each year so it's very likely it's still in his garage. Talk about the deal of the century.

NotYeezus > RalphieDC
08/27/2014 at 15:24

Yeah I was kidding. I saw one when they came out in person. Not impressed.

Ted > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 15:30

Kinja'd!!!

my variation of that shot. It looks like I'm just a little bit taller than whomever took the other picture. haha

Rusty Shackleford > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 15:31

The car normally resides in Incline Villiage in Nevada most of the time. I don't know how often it is brought out, but I do know it is run on a regular basis to keep it healthy. I only touched it because it was like touching a hero. That said, its battle with the superior Porsche 908 cements it is an all time race car hero, one that I always thought should be a movie. In 2003, I also got this, a GT model at Laguna Seca signed by all the remaining GT40 drivers that were still alive at the Ford autograph booth. I wonder if it is worth anything.

Egoods > Rusty Shackleford
08/27/2014 at 15:35

I was just ribbin ya for touching the car. If I could do it and get away with it I would without hesitation...

As far as that die-cast... it's most certainly worth something, but I'd hang on to it, it certainly has more sentimental value.

The car resides in Incline Village, NV because Samuel Robson Walton (Rob Walton) lives there, and he owns the car... :), glad it's well taken care of!

I read a story about him wrecking his Daytona Coupe: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-walmarts-c…

It's funny that the paper and commenters took a negative slant toward it. The dude bought a race car he could rightfully and easily afford and RACED IT... used it for what it was meant to do. I can't possibly fault him for that, if anything it raises my view of him.

Edit: Jalopnik did a story about it: http://jalopnik.com/5935970/4-mill…

Rock Bottom > Egoods
08/27/2014 at 15:47

I love the cars, but THIS is why I go to The Henry Ford! Respect the Allegheny!

Kinja'd!!!