Jerry Jansing is a sheetmetal guy from Louisville, Kentucky. He wanted a car that was light and powerful-fortified by a conventional engine and classy enough to be a standout on the track. This sheetmetal guy got what he desired, with the fiberglass-bodied GT40 Mk1 from Roaring Forties.
Jansing's car was built in Australia by the Roaring Forties (R-40s) staff and was displayed at the '00 Melbourne Grand Prix. Jansing bought it in 2002 and has had a ball in it ever since. Built to drive on the street and perform at the track, Jansing's car turns heads in Kentucky, and he drives it about 5,000 miles a year to turn heads across America. He and his wife, Carla, have taken trips as far as 300 miles, and Jansing's three children also pick up a ride or two around town in this homage to American racing in the '60s.
Speaking of paying homage to racing, at last year's Run and Gun, Jansing's No. 15 R-40s racer completed the road course in 1:12.05, second-fastest among the Prepared Small-Blockers, with Mike Winebrenner in the pilot's seat. That was good enough for a Second Place Top Dog Award, the first trophy this car has picked up.
Jansing's flying '40 has achieved a top speed of 176.25 mph, and at 2,300 lbs, this baby can fly, thanks to the '86 Ford 302 V-8 that has been bored out to 331 ci by DSS in St. Charles, Illinois. The mill puts out 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. DSS also machined the pistons and windage tray. Isky Cams and lifters, Comp Cams push rods, Edelbrock RPM heads, and Ford Performance valve covers complement the setup.
An R-40s eight-bbl injection system, Bosch electronic distributor and coils, and Motorsport wires have been installed, and Jansing took possession of the turnkey with an all-R-40s exhaust, from the manifold to the mandrel-bent headers and mufflers. An Audi 016 transmission, PBR clutch, and R-40s shift kit complete the package.
Lucas headlights, Fiat taillights, R-40s window glass, and a Ford Dark Blue suit highlight the exterior. Inside the driver compartment, R-40s dashboard, Smiths gauges, R-40s air conditioning, wiring, vents and seats, Securion seatbelts, black wool carpet, and black vinyl upholstery make for a classy home for the driver and passenger.
Is this sheetmetal guy happy and proud of his fiberglass '40? "You bet," he said. "Hey, the chassis is first-rate and it's metal, as are the engine and so many other things in this car. The body is exquisite. I am proud that it's 'glass."
Will Jansing convert to being a 'glass guy? Probably not, but this is one sheetmetal guy who proudly drives his 'glass-bodied replicar with style.