1966 Ford GT40 - 1966gt40fordfa170451
by Frank J Benz
Title
1966 Ford GT40 - 1966gt40fordfa170451
Artist
Frank J Benz
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
1966 Ford GT40
Henry Ford II wanted to have a Ford racing at Le Mans dating back to the early 1960s. Henry Ford II wanted to have a Ford based full fledged racing car that would be able to go out and beat the pants off of the Ferrari brand on the automotive world endurance race tracks and the Ford GT40 gave Henry Ford II just what he wanted - a winner ! 1966 Daytona 24 Hour race, first, second and third place - 1966 12 Hours of Sebring, first, second and third place - 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, first, second, and third place. A fantastic start that was the beginning of a historic championship winning automobile.
The Ford GT40 got its name as being a Grand Touring (GT) race car with the overall height of the car measured at the windshield at 40 inches. The height of the vehicle, 40 inches, is required by the rules. The early cars were just named Ford GT (1964-1965), and the GT40 name was utilized as part of Fords project or ready the race cars for international endurance racing and Fords desire to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and defeat the Ferraris. The GT40 has won more prestigious race events than any other model road race car in history.
The GT40 did win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four consecutive times from 1966 to 1969. The Ford/Shelby Chassis on the GT40 that won in 1968 and 1969 was the first car in the history of the Le Mans race to win that historic race more than one time with the same chassis. The 1966 victory had the Ford GT40 finishing in first, second and third place. Henry Ford II was present at Le Mans in 1966 when the GT40 provided Ford with the very first overall Le Mans win for an American manufacturer as well as the first win for an American manufacturer at a major European race since a Duesenberg won at the 1921 French Grand Prix with Jimmy Murphy at the wheel. The Shelby American Incorporated racing team won the 1966 Le Mans endurance race by covering 3,009.356 miles at an average speed of 130.98 miles per hour for the 24 hour time span.
Automotive photos look great displayed in a den, family room, office, garage, auto service shop waiting rooms, tire stores, parts stores, hot rod shops and upholstery shops. If you are not interested in one of these photos for yourself do not forget about your friends or other family members that have an interest in the automotive field. Photos make marvelous gifts and are suitable for numerous occasions ! ! !
Uploaded
April 5th, 2017
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