The new car and it’s GTX1 moniker were inspired by Ford’s original X1 Roadster of late 1965 when another outside company, Bruce McLaren Motor Racing in Feltham, Middlesex, were commissioned to produce a super lightweight GT40 that could push the existing platform to its limit.

The McLaren-built X1 was based around an experimental GT40 tub uniquely fashioned from aluminium instead of steel. It also featured a hitherto unseen cut-down body, a special Hewland gearbox and weighed 250kg less than a conventional GT40 Mk2 Prototype. Chris Amon did a handful of late season races in the X1 Roadster before it was converted to a more conventional appearance (effectively a Mk2 Roadster) for the 1966 season.

Famously, Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby went on to drive the now Mk2 Roadster-bodied X1 to victory in that year’s Sebring 12 Hours, after which it was deliberately destroyed owing to a disagreement over customs duties with the American authorities.

The new GTX1 was offered through the official North American Ford dealer network at a 15% premium over the standard GT. Three to four cars per week were expected to undergo the factory-sanctioned conversion for a period of six to twelve months.

Bodywork

The GTX1 most obviously differed from a standard Gen.1 Ford GT on account of its new roof architecture and custom rear clamshell.

The roof system comprised four individual body coloured panels that allowed the driver to choose from one of three alternative configurations: Coupe, T-top or Roadster.

In Roadster trim, all four roof panels lifted off Targa-style.

In T-top trim, the GT’s trademark door panels that cut into the roof detached separately which left a retro-style central spine.

In Coupe trim, the GTX1 looked, from the front at least, identical to a standard Ford GT.

All four roof panels could be stowed within the car for added practicality.