Rolex presented its prestigious Award for “Best Presentation and Performance in the FIA Championship Makes class on August 16, 2009 to Archie Urciuoli for his 1969 Ford #83 GT-40. Competition in the approximately 30-car field at Laguna Seca included four 917 Porsches, six 908 Porsches, 512 Ferraris, Chevron B-16s and an Alfa Romeo T-33.
The ex-Fittipaldi Racing GT-40 painted Carnival Red and originally built by JWA to LeMans (chassis # 1075) winning specifications, was the last GT-40 (chassis # 1083) to be built and sold as a completed racecar. Fitted with a lightweight roof, it was the only one sold directly by the factory. When new it was successfully raced in South America and at one point used by Wilson Fittipaldi as a road car! Purchased in 2002, its engine, running gear and cosmetics were restored to original 1969 specifications by the F.A.V Company and Jeff Works. Archie received FIA HTP (USA-5097) papers after the restoration. Powered by a blueprinted small-block Ford fitted with Gurney-Weslake heads and Weber 48 IDA carburetors mated to a five-speed ZF transaxle, it is prepped and maintained for racing by Lee Chapman Racing, New Milford, CT.