Some pictures of the first GT40 cars:
Here’s GT40 GT/101, the prototype, in early 1964:
…being loaded onto a BOAC plane, to be sent from London to New York for a press showing at Essex House Hotel (NY)
It was flown back to England and tested at MIRA and Silverstone, and then over to Le Mans for the LM test weekend where it was driven by Jo Schlesser....
....for eight laps (8 laps!!), reaching "takeoff speed" and resulting in this:
According to the Registry, “the car had a total of 465 test miles on it and it was not repaired because it was likely faster to build a new car”.
Cheers,
Glen