Popular legend has it that Ford decided to develop a car to win LeMans in order to end the dominance of Ferrari at the famous 24 hour race after Enzo Ferrari terminated an attempt by Ford to buy his company at the 11th hour in 1963. At the time Ford in the USA appeared to crave the recognition success in major international motorsport would bring to the huge car company, so the idea that the GT40 program was solely due to a wish to beat Ferrari is perhaps an urban motorsports legend! However, Ford did indeed end Ferrari's dominance of the French race, which they had won every year except 1959 from 1958-1965.
The GT40 (so named as it was only 40 inches tall!) was developed in England from a Lola design for a mid-engined GT car, combined with a large capacity Ford V8. In the MkII, the engine was around 7 litres in capacity, giving the car huge torque and power, plus reliability as the American V8 was relatively uncomplicated for it's time. The GT40 appeared ready to win LeMans in 1965, but failed to do so, but the Blue Oval had to wait only 12 months for it's first win at the event. In 1966, GT40s finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd, ending Ferrari's winning streak in no uncertain terms!
This particular car was driven by New Zealanders Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, and beat the 2nd placed GT40 driven by Englishman Ken Miles and New Zealander Denny Hulme by only 20 meters! This was the distance between the cars on the starting grid hence even though both cars passed the finish line together, the McLaren/Amon car had covered an extra 20 meters over the course of the 24 hours! Ford had intended to stage a dead heat finish for the top three finishing GT40s, but Miles and Hulme came off the worse for this decision as they had been in the lead on the final lap and had slowed down to let the black No2 car catch up for the "dead heat" finish. Needless to say Ken Miles who had been driving the car at the finish was less than pleased! Overall though Ford were delighted with their dominant result!
Exoto make this outstanding model of the '66 LeMans winning GT40. Just like the New Zealand rugby team, it is painted "all black" with super looking silver stripes. Engine, brake, interior and body detail are all first rate on this model. At first Exoto only released this model as part of a three car set, which included the 2nd and 3rd placed GT40s from the '66 LeMans. As they are all superb models I felt it was worth getting the set, despite the cost which was not inconsiderable! I think it is now available on it's own (but at Exoto's ever increasing prices!) as of the end of 2005. LeMans winners in 1:18th are must haves for me so this model was destined for my collection "cost no object"! Highly recommended!
93.75%
