This Safir GT40 Mark V is one of 40 continuation examples built in Surrey, UK, by Safir Engineering Limited in partnership with J.W. Automotive Engineering and under agreement with Ford Motor Company between 1980 and 2000. It was ordered new by its late owner, Doug Kirk, a Pacific Northwest vintage racing stalwart and an aerospace engineer for Boeing, and was completed in 1986. Finished in blue, the car is powered by a 302ci Ford V8 linked with a ZF five-speed manual gearbox. Additional equipment includes “bundle of snakes” headers, quadruple carburetors, 15″ cast magnesium wheels, a fire suppression system, a Heuer stopwatch, and black cloth seats with ventilation grommets. Work in preparation for the sale involved replacing the tires, windshield, and fluids along with refinishing the wheels. This GT40 Mk I replica is now offered in Washington on dealer consignment at no reserve with spare parts, original correspondence, and a clean Montana title listing the car as a 1966 Ford UNK.
Development of a continuation variant of Ford’s four-time Le Mans-winning GT40 began when Safir Engineering founder Peter Thorp broached the idea with John Willment of J.W. Automotive Engineering (JWAE), at the time the owner of the GT40’s production rights. An agreement between Safir, JWAE, and Ford allowed production of a limited run of the Mark V to commence in 1980 and was followed by Safir’s acquisition of the GT40 trademark in 1985. The Mark V’s design was based on Ford’s GT40 Mark I, with updates made to the steel semi-monocoque chassis design including modified rust-proofing and revised suspension geometry.
The fiberglass bodywork is finished in blue with white stripes and #17 roundels. The car features side air intakes and covered headlights as well as dual exposed fuel filler caps and plexiglass side windows with pop-out vents. A replacement windshield was installed in 2026.
The 15″ cast magnesium wheels were refinished in 2026 and mounted with 215/60 front and 275/55 rear Avon tires. Stopping is provided by four-wheel disc brakes. Independent suspension incorporates adjustable coilovers.
The right-hand-drive cockpit features fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in black fabric upholstery with ventilation grommets and Willans harnesses. The shifter is mounted on the driver’s right, and the car features a fire suppression system as well as a fire extinguisher housed in the passenger footwell.
The three-spoke Moto-Lita steering wheel frames Smiths instrumentation including a central tachometer and gauges monitoring coolant pressure and oil temperature. Additional instruments to the driver’s left include a 200-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges, while a Heuer stopwatch is positioned to the right. The five-digit odometer shows 14k miles.
The 302ci V8 is equipped with four two-barrel carburetors with velocity stacks, Cobra-branded valve covers, and “bundle of snakes” headers. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle. Fluid and filter changes were performed in 2026.
Additional underside photos are provided in the gallery below.