The first 1966 Ford GT40 MkI built for the street just became the brand’s most valuable street legal car ever sold at auction.
The Pine Green coupe is one of 31 versions of Le Mans-winning racing car that were built by the factory for road use.
The right-hand drive car features a 289-cubic-inch V8 and five-speed manual transmission like the competition version, but is equipped with mufflers, wire wheels and reverse lights.
Creature comforts include carpeting, non-perforated leather seats, map pockets in the doors, a heated windshield and a clock.
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The car was originally purchased in the U.K. by the owner of the company that provided Ford with the dynamometers used in the GT40’s development and was delivered to him by Ford racing driver Jackie Stewart.
The car has had several owners since and has traveled as far as Australia during its life, competing in vintage racing events and racking up 4,472 miles on its odometer along the way. It was once modified with wider bodywork, but has since been restored to its original condition.
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The car was offered at the Mecum Auctions event in Kissimmee, Fla., on Saturday and sold for $7,040,000, which is the highest price ever paid at auction for a street legal Ford.
The only Fords that have sold for more are true racing versions of the GT40, including the Gulf-liveried car that was used in the making of the Steve McQueen film “Le Mans” and sold for $11 million in 2012.
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However, it is understood that the car that actually claimed Ford’s first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 was privately sold in 2014 for $22 million.
Another car used in the McQueen film went up for auction in Kissimmee. It was the 1969 Porsche 917K that his character won the race with and is currently owned by Jerry Seinfeld. The car got a high bid of $25 million, but it wasn’t enough to meet the undisclosed reserve, so it didn’t sell.
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That left the GT40 as the most expensive vehicle sold at the event, ahead of a track-only 2023 Ford GT MkIV that went for $1,870,000.