Ford GT40 - 1966 Le Mans Winner

A new edition to our Ford GT40 Collection, we can reveal that we are developing a model of the #2 car that officially took the race at Le Mans in 1966 in the hands of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. Our first prototype is programmed for completion towards the middle of the year, with the first batches of limited edition models currently anticipated for Q3.

One of the most iconic racing cars of all time, the Ford GT40 was born out of motorsport’s most infamous grudge. After failing to secure possession of Enzo Ferrari’s much celebrated company, Henry Ford II returned to America empty-handed and declared his desire to crush Ferrari at Le Mans. The result was a car that was to defeat all before it.

Produced for five years between 1964-69, the development of the GT40 was particularly improvised. Despite their tremendous wealth and production capability, Ford as an organisation had precious little racing expertise. Ford negotiated a deal with UK-based Lola Cars owner and chief designer Eric Broadley and dispatched British engineer Roy Lunn back to the UK to take a key role in the project. Overseen by American designer Harley Copp, the team of Broadley, Lunn and ex-Aston Martin team boss John Wyer began working on the new car at the Lola Factory in Bromley. At the end of 1963, the team moved to Slough, at the newly established Ford Advanced Vehicles HQ, under the direction of Wyer. Bruce McLaren, of McLaren Automotive, was hired to evaluate a prototype in August 1963 and then work progressed swiftly, though it was barely finished in time for its unveiling. The first GT40, the GT/101 (the “GT40” moniker came later and was taken from the car’s height: it stood at 40 inches tall at the top of the windscreen), was revealed in England on 1 April 1964 and soon after exhibited in New York. Purchase price of the completed car for competition use was £5,200 (or £103k in today’s money).

Le Mans testing a few weeks later revealed severe instability issues at high speed; the GT40 could do 200mph (321km/h) but wanted to get airborne above 170mph (273km/h). It’s first outings at the Nürburgring, Le Mans and Reims, despite its incredible reputation, were all DNFs. By the end of the year, Wyer, though still building GT40s, handed the job of racing them to the legendary American ex-racer Carroll Shelby. Shelby replaced the 4.2L engine with a 7.0L beast that he already used to great effect in the Cobra, matched to a new ZF transmission. Armed with its new power unit, the GT40 scored its first win at Daytona 1965 before claiming second place at Sebring. Le Mans, though, was a disaster, with all five entries failing to finish due to mechanical issues.

1966 marked the beginning of the GT40 legend. A 1-2-3 victory at Daytona was quickly followed by another victory at Sebring. However, it was the Le Mans crown that Ford coveted. Ford assembled an army for the race that year: nine cars, over 100 personnel with 21 tonnes of spare parts. Ford defeated Ferrari in style, dominating the podium with the top three finishers and becoming the first American manufacturer to emerge victorious at Le Mans. Le Mans wins followed for the GT40 for three more years, establishing the GT40 as one of the most iconic race cars of all time. Ferrari have not won at Le Mans since.

[Model information forthcoming]

The Ford GT40 1966 Le Mans Winner is limited to just 199 pieces.