One of only two Mk3 chassis ever built and the sole surviving example
Designed by Tony Southgate, whose aerodynamic studies for this car directly informed the Le Mans-winning Jaguar XJR8 and XJR9
The vendor rates the mechanical condition as like new, with the Cosworth DFL engine rebuilt by Geoff Page Racing
Eligible for Masters Series Group C and Peter Auto's Group C Racing
Offered with an extensive collection of spare parts and a comprehensive documentation archive including original technical drawings
The Appeal
The Ford C100 Mk3 represents the ultimate evolution of Ford of Europe's ambitious Group C1 endurance racing programme, a car designed by Tony Southgate to take on the might of Porsche at Le Mans. When tested at Le Castellet by Gordon Spice and Marc Surer, the Mk3 proved convincingly faster than the turbocharged Porsche 956 and the Rondeau M482, even with its naturally aspirated Cosworth DFL engine. The project's cancellation due to Ford's internal politics robbed the motorsport world of what could have been a formidable competitor, but the aerodynamic and ground-effect work Southgate developed for the Mk3 went on to form the foundation of the Jaguar XJR8 and XJR9, the latter winning the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Chassis 83C100-02 is the second of only two Mk3 chassis produced by John Thompson, and the only one to survive in C100 form; its sister car, 83C100-01, was converted into the Ford Transit Supervan II and later the Supervan III, now residing at the Ford Heritage Centre in Daventry. Left unassembled when the programme was cancelled in 1983, the parts for 83C100-02 were painstakingly sourced from Ford, Zakspeed, and the Rosso Bianco Collection by Bryan Wingfield, a Ford engineer, GT40 specialist, and creator of the Supervan II and III, who assembled the car over a decade using Tony Southgate's original drawings. Some minor body modifications were completed, including a modified front hood designed by an Audi engineer to combat understeer, two roof-mounted NACA ducts to rectify an oil temperature issue, an enlarged rear air outlet to create more rear downforce and improve rear-end air flow, and enlarged side-mounted radiator inlets. Completed in 2004, it made its first official appearance at the 2007 Silverstone Classic to mark the 25th anniversary of Group C, and was subsequently driven at the Oldtimer GP Nürburgring by notable Le Mans drivers David Leslie and Neal Cunningham.
Acquired by its current owner in 2018, the car was reassembled and overhauled with the assistance of Rondeau engineers Lucien Monté and Philippe Beloou, whose contemporary Rondeau M482 provided an invaluable point of comparison. The Cosworth DFL V8 was rebuilt by Geoff Page Racing, who reportedly described it as the finest 3.9-litre unit he had produced. In June 2025, the car underwent crack testing of its running gear components and was fitted with a new FIA-specification fuel tank, with Masters Series Group C passport applications currently in progress. The vendor rates the mechanical condition as like new, and the car has been driven for three to four hours across several French circuits including Bugatti at Le Mans and Magny-Cours.
Offered with a substantial collection of spare parts, including wheels, hubs, a front bonnet, steering rack, electronic control units, gearbox pinions, brake callipers, and engine components, along with an extensive archive of correspondence, technical drawings, race sheets, and historical documents, this is a singular opportunity to acquire the last surviving factory Ford prototype built with the aim of winning Le Mans outright.
Components throughout employ magnesium, titanium, aluminium, and composites, reflecting the significant budget Ford allocated to the programme
The 1983 Ford C100 Mk3 Group C1 is a track-used racing car finished in distinctive yellow and green livery, with an aluminium and black interior. It is described as clean overall, with very good bodywork, paintwork and interior showing only minor imperfections and light wear, although it is not concours condition or in original/standard specification due to its racing history. Built around an aluminium honeycomb monocoque chassis, the C100 features ground-effect composite bodywork and extensive use of lightweight magnesium, titanium, aluminium and composite components, reflecting the substantial budget Ford invested in its Group C programme.
3,955cc Ford Cosworth DFL V8 naturally aspirated engine producing around 570/590 bhp
Hewland five-speed manual gearbox
The vendor rates the mechanical condition as like new
Engine rebuilt by Geoff Page Racing and bench-tested
Engine run in with three to four hours of break-in and tuning across the circuits of Fontenay le Comte, Le Vigeant, Bugatti (Le Mans), and Magny-Cours
Crack testing of front and rear suspensions, front and rear hubs, steering rack, pedal box, and rims completed in June 2025
New FIA-specification fuel tank fitted in June 2025
Described as ready to be used on track
The 1983 Ford C100 Mk3 is powered by a 3,955cc naturally aspirated Ford Cosworth DFL V8 producing approximately 570–590 bhp, paired with a Hewland five-speed manual gearbox. The mechanical condition is rated as like new, with the engine rebuilt and bench-tested by Geoff Page Racing before being run in and tuned over several French circuits, including Le Mans and Magny-Cours. Recent preparation includes crack testing of key suspension, hub, steering, pedal and wheel components, along with the installation of a new FIA-specification fuel tank in June 2025. Overall, the car is described as ready for immediate track use.image.png1.65 MB
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