How I built a GT40 in my garage | PH Readers’ Cars

Built from a bare chassis with no instruction manual, PistonHeads member Paul Baverstock tells us the incredible story of how he made his GT40 dream come true.
Read Paul's Readers' Car thread in full here: bit.ly/3ltYKVx
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#PistonHeads #ReadersCars #GT40

[@PistonHeadsTV]

Our latest Readers' Cars video is now live here kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX21e4Z9mLF8rpI

[@ibana8449]

"Nothing just fits together, everything needs a lot of work" - For the majority who have never built cars in a garage from scratch, this is the biggest single thing that dogs any progress. Every nut, bolt and washer needs researched and sourced. I have a garage full of parts I bought which are no good at all. Car building without instruction manuals is bloody hard going, mind over matter and overcoming setbacks. Well done that man, 8 years ! Mine is 10 years and still has some more to give.

[@colehara]

Absolutely agree. The term "kit car" is so misleading. As you say nothing really fits together. Body panels need to be individually fitted. On a good day it's two steps forward and one step backwards. As the saying goes "if you need an instruction manual you probably shouldn't be doing this" This is a beautiful car in every respect. 👍

[@colinwhite5355]

My small business is Ford Capris but GT40’s are my first (only?) love, by far. I recently was on a sortie tracking down Capri parts in my hometown. The elderly owner, who I was visiting, just came out with “and then there’s my GT40”. Tucked away in the corner of his unit was a KVA, untouched since being bought, new, around forty years ago. Probably something he’ll never get round to - looked completely daunting but still, despite the dust, utterly stunning.

[@JJ-nc5vf]

I’ve been restoring a classic for 10YRS - even off the shelf never fits ! when you go Restomod have patience!

[@roelfkromhout]

"Nothing just fits together, everything needs a lot of work" Yup, the exception proves the rule. Except in this case there are no exceptions.

[@jakefriesenjake]

Been working on my 81 Camaro Z28, off and on, for 16 years! I was basically a kid with no garage and no tools when I started it. I literally just got a picture from the paint shop today! It's finally painted! Gm lemans blue. Oh I can't wait to finally drive the darn thing...

[@jamieduff1981]

This is the kind of stuff I want to see. Couldn't give a toss about £100k "sports" SUVs etc etc. More Readers Cars stuff please. People actually doing stuff.

[@Sf_Mason]

This is exactly what PH needs more of, not just the new models coming out, but featuring well built readers rides as well. Seeing someone's hard work in their car helps to inspire new generations to have a go themeslves.

[@6th.replicant577]

Unfortunately, PH is becoming nothing more than a glorified parade of advertorials - aka Spotted articles - for its car-trade advertisers. But props to this gent and his GT40 👏

[@alenseven11]

I admire this man's focus, dedication, resilience and love for this car. Amazing car, stuff of dreams! Bravo!

[@fredpinczuk7352]

I admire him having a beer tap right in the garage.

[@phaa84]

My words...

[@paulshammond1]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Paul and seeing this car in the flesh on a drive out near Goodwood in Dec 2020. The finish and attention to detail of his GT40 is superb. Chapeau.

[@paulbaverstock751]

Was it the propulsion meet? 👍🏻

[@paulshammond1]

@@paulbaverstock751 Yes, I was in the red 944 Turbo

[@maunsell24]

@@paulbaverstock751 I was there too. Blown away by what you have achieved with this build.

[@fredericbouchet6082]

A french guy also built his own GT40, and ha just finished it. It took him 4 years and he filmed it and published more than 50 videos on KZbin to show his work. His name is benjaminworkshop, and his GT40 looks really amazing. Congrats to all this guys for their hard work, talent and passion !

[@TheFleetflyer]

Truely inspirational, what a great build. However, the GT40 cogniscenti will never confuse it with an original car because the panels line up and the build quality is superb. This car is clearly built by a man who knows how to produce automotive quality. Hats off to you sir.

[@nashonabo821]

Exactly, Ford could never pull that off

[@NP-rh3dt]

@@nashonabo821 yet Ford pulled off handing Ferrari it's ass for years.

[@ametti000]

His car his way. Now he's got a GT40 in the garage. A proud achievement indeed. Congratulations.

[@tonysaunders8643]

I've met Paul, and have had the pleasure of seeing his '40 in person, and stealing some ideas for my own '40 build! It really is a superbly built car, and a true inspiration to all those garagista's out there.

[@user-rm2mg2qw9c]

Very pretty gt40. There’s a French you tuber doing the same thing Benjamain Workshop and he is almost done!!

[@UncommonManFromEarth]

Benjamin's car is WAY more DIY and on a budget. He designed and fabricated a lot of the car himself (including the whole chassis!). So his story would actually be way more interesting to hear that a guy who got a lot of parts and put them together.

[@Ponger6491]

What sort of a tool bag gives this a thumbs down. A fantastic car from a guy who is so genuine and grounded. I wish there was more of this. Cool cars owned and loved by cool people.

[@Ford363Stroker]

Beautiful build... the attention to what others will never see is the mark of a true craftsman and man of character.

[@HighLiner15]

Absolutely stunning car. Its a real GT40 in my book when hand built like a prototype like the original racecars.

[@liquite]

benjamin workshop is a french guy who also built his own gt40 by himself. He filmed everything and uploaded episodes on youtube :) He just finished few days ago.

[@baptiste7533]

Il n'a pas mis la '' grille '' à l'arrière, ni la bulle de toit, je trouve que ca rend bien sur celle ci

[@reincarnation5850]

Great stuff and much respect to Paul. More of these, please, PHs! The more grass roots, the better!

[@julienvcnti]

No one talking about Benjamin's Workshop channel's ? :p He also built his own GT40 from scratch :)

[@Ettsate]

Sur le coup je pensais que c'était un reportage sur Benjamin mais fait par des Américains

[@henkdegeus2888]

SPAM

[@TheCraigy83]

you can see the video on the right in the sidebar >>>> . it has double the views of this video as 23/10/21 😂 you on benji's page saying the same thing about this build ? 🙄

[@neocalame8879]

Also he’s gonna build a full carbon hypercar 🙂

[@yannickrosalie5534]

I am totally agree with you

[@guss2099]

What a BEAUTY!!! Well done man, well done.

[@techo61]

I do believe all the imperfections inherited in a ready to assemble 'kit' is a deliberate decision by the manufacturer. All the essential fetling by the builder guarantees buy-in and ensures a very intimate investment and pride in the finished product. For most guys I suspect this is as close we can get to the sentiment a mother has with her newborn baby. I can't imagine any builder having this commitment without an OCD infliction.

[@northseawolf]

What an absolute legend. the epitome of what a man in his shed can achieve. Your car is beautiful

[@simonmurfin1910]

What a way to launch the series! Such an amazing car and owner. Congratulations to him for the patience and vision needed to build this.

[@Alexanbreizh]

The GT40, the mighty legend. This is a Fantastic job building it. In France there is a guy who build one as well ; "Benjamin Workshop". You can check his channel. he's got the same communiative passion. Those two should meet.

[@turbo_alice]

i was expecting someone in the top coments to talk about Benjamin workshop, but seems you didnt get enough likes yet

[@SINARIS_YTB]

AKA Audi A40

[@darkonnis]

This is the stuff we need to see more of from piston heads. For me, this is a real car guy, right on the hardcore side of the definition. I have next to no interest in the lads that are stockbrokers who make a few million a year who just buy the latest greatest supercar for fun and then gush over how amazing it is as a way to promote themselves. Lets see more of the modifieds, the big builds, the lads who are out there really changing the game. Its come to something when CarThrottle and Mighty Car Mods are doing more in depth reviews, builds and interviews in this way that piston heads.

[@colinwhite5355]

If I owned one of these, when I wasn’t driving it, the car would be in the garage with a comfortable chair placed at each corner while two others would be central - one either side. Or, perhaps, a single chair with the car on a turntable. Yes, that would do fine. Great video and what a talented, decent man.

[@thachester]

The GT40 has been my favorite car since I was a kid. Seeing this is astonishing. Such a beautiful car.

[@70HeavyChevy]

Beauty. Love that he made it his own and didn’t try to replicate one exact version.

[@Level-ts7xl]

this man is the definition of "fine, i'll do it myself"

[@nickjh1968]

Studied this car when it was in the paint shop, it's all done properly in paint, no stick on stripes here, beautiful build.

[@m.m8760]

Award this man a Pistonhood! For centuries his achievement will be an inspiration to many Piston Heads.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Incredible achievement. Enjoy your car, you deserve it.

[@HoosierHacker]

These are my favorite kind of people. Top work. Much respect.

[@techo61]

So pleased to hear you went OCD on the panelling. I hear a bunch too when people argue what's the point, you can't see it. Well that is the point, it's the builder's integrity at stake and more. These cars, well built, will outlast us mere mortals and future owners can take comfort in the fact that the builder put quality above all else, despite important and structural elements are out of sight. Imagine Boeing and Airbus employees having that attitude?

[@Phunkiedeknition]

" I know it's done right " . Rings true in my realm.

[@globaltransformerservices5565]

hats off to you Mr. Paul on your built. Nicely done.

[@johngreen8693]

The part about getting right the bits that no-one will see chimes with me. It's the satisfaction of knowing that it is ALL as you would want it to be.

[@TheCraigy83]

i love how proud he is of it !

[@barondugger]

My dream car. I saw a real, street-legal GT-40 in Palos Verdes. He turned off the car and lowered his window to talk with me. Lucky man.

[@andyearl6784]

What a great guy with especially good taste in cars, well done love your work

[@Niels-co]

You should watch the channel "Benjamin Workshop", he also built his own GT40 and filmed it all !

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Beautiful build, stunning car, well done.

[@robertphillips3078]

Gr8 Color scheme, ❤ the way the orange sweeps up on the rear duck bill . Xcellent 👏👏👏

[@genericallyaccepted]

Oh what a glorious soundtrack!

[@antoniaphil1]

It's great to see the car finished. I'm a bus driver in your area and I'd seen the car a couple of times as I passed your house. I hadn't seen it finished with this fantastic livery on it, hopefully see you driving about one day :-).

[@davidwatson3063]

What a stunning stunning car. I would love to build something like this. She's a beauty.

[@thpimont05]

Amazing work ! There's also a french engineer and youtuber who built his own gt40, even made the chassis himself, with a detailed playlist from the conception of his car to its final details. You should have a look, its Benjamin Workshop

[@DavidTodor]

What an incredible build.. so much talent and creativity.

[@nickfarrington2390]

Fabulous! Well done Paul and thanks to PH for capturing it - more please!

[@solid_ares3459]

Respect to Paul 👏 What a masterpiece 👍

[@jjbigfoot9077]

You sir...are a legend!! Cheers from Indiana, US of A

[@e36328isport]

Awesome build. Enjoy the fruits of all that hard work dude 😎

[@CK-297]

I wish this video was much longer and included more detail. I was riveted. Thanks

[@Atlas.X9X]

Love it... Great replica built by a gentleman I'd have a beer with. Thank you for sharing.

[@jonathantrella832]

Excellent job! It looks beautiful my friend

[@simoniscasesensitive]

I’m 7 years into my build, always nice to hear someone else didn’t finish in 12 months either!

[@colehara]

Sickaroll, 17 years and still some interior to finish.

[@fsttrdl]

What a stunning car, and an even more stunning story.

[@tedroybal5231]

What a fine piece of work! Love the entire build. If I started now, I don't think I'd be able to climb in it in 8 years!

[@davidnash1220]

BRILLIANT 👏 what a super job Beautiful machine

[@Gobbledy.gook.]

I've never been on this channel before, but wow I'm amazed. The production quality is unreal, and the car was to die for. Great work, I can't wait to watch more!

[@CheapSafari]

Amazing. And I love the fact you made it how YOU wanted. Beautiful car.

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

You did such an awesome job. My favorite car...

[@f2detaboada]

Please upload a video of 10 minutes of sound bites of this car, god knows how good it sounds.

[@Combustionclub]

THE SOUND!!! 🤯🔥

[@andrewdraper8336]

Wow looks stunning. I built a Cobra replica about 20 years ago. Also lots of adjustment and fettling of parts. So feel your pain. But well worth it your car looks amazing and sounds fantastic

[@abergreg]

Superb, well done, you have the patience of a saint.

[@bigrokadventures]

This is a brilliant video, well done to piston heads to letting people share their pride and joy, and this mans focus, and skill set is bloody awesome!

[@shineautomotive]

work of art . well done great effort

[@funkybassguy68]

My dream car. I will have make due with my foxbody Mustang. Congratulations on an incredible build. That 347 sounds amazing

[@chuckshipley9917]

2:58 Huge involuntary smile, and a well done sir.

[@catey62]

Well done on a beautiful build there. you must feel so proud of yourself to have finally achieved your dream, and turned it into a reality. I hope you get many years of enjoyment from something you made with your own hands. ❤

[@abdullah9147]

I also wanna build a GT40 When I get a bit more older. I personally would prefer the MKii one. For me, it just looks Gorgeous!

[@johnelliott4521]

An absolute masterpiece

[@user-hk7oi4vs3n]

Dream car, got to build one myself, well done fella!

[@Huwberts_Emporium]

This is brilliant, I'd love to see more readers cars!

[@shanesischo7378]

Beautiful, absolutely well done.

[@michaelconnolly1797]

Beautiful car. Very well done.👌🏻

[@martinpye549]

Great job, my man. Top stuff. It's lovely.

[@salvare0004]

Marvelous, good watch too! Excellent start to the series!

[@tonym992]

What a machine! Well done that man!

[@rachaelplant2504]

That is STUNNING! well done....

[@frankirvine316]

Great Job Paul✅ You could be the wake up alarm for your neighbours in the morning 👍 Cheers Frank🙂

[@IMTHEBIGGESTCUNT]

Eight years well spent and worth every moment! What a beauty! Great job! 👍

[@TheSnivilous]

That thing is absolutely gorgeous, congrats on finishing it!

[@jon_pickett]

Last 3 years I saw this guy build this car in his garage everytime I drove past his house on the local bus route 👍

[@paulbaverstock751]

Please do pop in and say hello 👍🏻

[@jon_pickett]

@@paulbaverstock751 I would do but I’m stuck to a tight timing schedule on the 46/47, but I suppose I could always do when I’m out on the bike 🤣

[@fruiz879]

Great build. Love the passion for car building. Cheers 🥃

[@tabrazeakram5286]

Sounds and looks absolutely amazing!!

[@RevakPotter]

Benjamin Workshop did exactly the same thing, he's a french guy who wanted a GT40 so bad but was not rich enough, so he built his in 4 years. Check his youtube channel, quite interesting too

[@sgttombailes3380]

Love your individualism of this build !! You Rock Bud !! Carry On !! HooAh !!

[@eco-advisor]

Followed him on pistonheads it's incredible. Well done!

[@paulnoneofyoir8506]

Stunning build , Job well done . I really like the standard Gulf racing colors , but this color version is really very nice .

[@martinwaller2512]

Stunning car , congratulations to the builder , excellent

[@tobeurichard8969]

Fantastic build, beautiful car. Super cool, and it is a GT40 no doubt.

[@samcourt6228]

That’s stunning, too work for sticking with it. Would like to see more of these vids because there are some cracking threads on PH.

[@darrenlafreniere5034]

Well done. Congratulations, sir!

[@rannpalesh1811]

Amazing job my friend! Unbelievable pride in workmanship and skill level! Thank you for sharing.

[@henkdegeus2888]

Amazing job Paul, proud of you bud 😀 Many beers had over the years in the garage watching this car rise from the ground up. Under very strict instructions not to rest my beer on the aluminium panels 😂

[@marcdelaunay1]

What an awesome beast….well done!🤘✌️. That is majestic!

[@alanmcclelland5245]

Congrats, happy trails mate.

[@4Kandlez]

Fantastic, what an achievement, he built his dream car

[@wintrstk54]

Love this video, feels like an old petrolicous film

[@ZeeBri]

That just looks awesome