🌝 Did Ford Win Le Mans In 1966
Jeff B. #8 Dec 1, 2003. Surtees left Ferrari in '66, not '67. And Ford had the quick-change pads and rotors in '66. The winning GT40 at Le Mans in '66 required two changes of front pads and one change of rear pads. Front rotors were changed once, rear rotors lasted the entire race (according to Ford GT40 SAE Papers).
The GT40 was developed by Ford to beat Ferrari and win the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans - and, on its second attempt in 1966, a GT40 did just that. Privateer racing team owner Alan Mann was involved with two versions of the GT40: the small block 4.7-liter MK I, and the big block 7-liter MK II, the car that won Le Mans in 1966.
After the death of Walt Hansgen in a J-car while testing at Le Mans in April, Ford decided to shelve the J-car and focus on the proven Mk IIs. Little development was done for the rest of the 1966 World Sports Car Championship season. In August 1966, Shelby American resumed testing and development work with Miles as primary test driver.
That’s why number one driver John Surtees would bemoan the fact that the Scuderia’s Formula 1 programme only really got going after June; and that’s why Ford, seriously cheesed at being jilted by Ferrari, moved heaven and earth to win at Le Mans: all the better to kick Enzo’s butt, which eventually it did in 1966.
How Much Is A Ford GT. The 1966 Ford GT cost around $10-12 million. The Ford GT40 MK2 used by Ken Miles in 1966 24 hours Le Mans is about $1.87. The 1965 GT40 is approximately $16,250; the Ford GT supercar is still the most expensive, costing about $400,000.
Celebrating after the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bernard Cahier // Getty Images Those who knew him only after he went to work for Shelby knew a different Miles, with a mature tolerance that hadn't
Now, in time for the 50 th anniversary of Ford's first win at the Circuit de la Sarthe, chassis P/1046 heads off for a 20-month restoration. A victory for Ford at Le Mans in 1966 was all but given. Though the racing program was shadowed by the tragic death of Walt Hansgen in April testing, the Ford GT40 Mk IIs had been developed to a point
Bruce McLaren was the first guy that Ford, generally, turned to when it came time to develop a Le Mans car—all the way back in 1963. In ‘66, McLaren and teammate Amon were struggling with
4Kf8.
did ford win le mans in 1966