P1032 restoration video

[6R07mi]

I'm surprised this has not been posted here previously.  perhaps it was on Forum v1.0?

https://youtu.be/EOG5ngpVTT4?si=uT2hPlLU0_4x1s1n

Was at Indianapolis Raceway Museum as P1046 clone "as received from Ford in 1968"

interesting footage of the work to restore, including some unique Mk-II features.

I very much liked the part where they took Mose Nowland around Indy in the restored car!!

enjoy

jim p

[FL SAAC Team Leader]

nice

[DennyD]

Thanks for sharing, Jim!

[john galt]

Jim:  Kudos for posting the video! 

It definitely was well done with an interesting narrative and featured some VERY talented Ford engineers.   IMHO, the great Mose Nowland (a FoMoco racing icon) and the other Ford engineers were the perfect choice for the GT40P/1032 project.   

However, for those who are old enough to remember Paul Harvey quotes, "the rest of the story" may also be of interest:

Most everyone agrees the right people were chosen for the project, however the pathway chosen was not. 

Case in point:  Months before GT40P/1032 left the museum for restoration, another well known museum and several highly regarded GT40 enthusiasts tried to convince the Indy Museum NOT to restore the car.  The museum's response was "they wanted an accurate appearing 1966 MKII on display".  One person felt so strongly about 1032 not losing its originality, that he offered another MKII in trade for 1032. The trade MKII was what the museum wanted: an accurate appearing restoration and of equal historical value.  Sadly, the recommendations and the trade offer were dismissed.

To many, the restoration pathway was not only disappointing but surprising.  One of the main tenants of museums is to respect and preserve the original finishes and details of an object. The old adage "only original once" is not just a cute saying but it is something serious collectors (art, furniture, automobiles, etc) have adopted as a mission statement.

Unfortunately, the Indy museum considered the 1966 LeMans winning paint job (done via a Ford directive approx 40 years earlier) as a negative.  In reality, it was a unique positive and for two huge reasons needed to be preserved:  1032 was not only the sole surviving unrestored MKII - it was also the sole surviving example of Ford's famous "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" nationwide promotion. 

The fact that 1032's engine didn't run or was broken should have been a relatively minor concern.  Few MKII's have their original FE block anyway (Ford removed most MKII engines after LeMans and tore them down for analysis).  An inoperable engine doesn't justify obliterating the rest of the car's originality. The supremely talented Mose Nowland could have easily made the FE engine operational, or if necessary, built a date code correct replacement long block.  With a coat of engine paint and some careful patination, 1032 would have an operational engine that was totally homogenous in appearance with the rest of the car. 

A sympathetic preservation could have also been done on 1032's tub and mechanicals (calipers, T-44, oil tanks, radiators, wiring, bearings, etc).  The use of specific cleaning practices (instead of sandblasting, e-coat, modern paint) could have preserved the existing surfaces and patina.

In summary;  prior to its restoration, GT40P/1032 was a rare example that GT40 enthusiasts loved to see, discuss its interesting history and the dichotomy of its 40+ year old appearance.  Now, all they see is a bright shiny MKII with very little truly original 1960's details.

The video showing the aging Mose in the car at speed definitely made for an unforgettable memory.  One can only wonder if Mose would have enjoyed the experience even more if the car was all still genuine 1960's Ford history (like Mose was).

As a side note:  thankfully, the SAAC has members like Dan Case, Bob Gaines, Bob Perkins, Special Ed, Charles Turner (and many others) who emphasize "period" originality over new showroom perfection. 

Just my 2 cents - you are welcome to disagree about the importance of saving "original" artifacts.

[Hov]

Very well said John.