June 18-19, 2006 40th Anniversary of Le Mans 1-2-3 Victory

[AtomicGT]

June 19th 2006 is the 40th anniversary of the GT40 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans. 8 GT40s were entered, Shelby American sponsored the cars #2, black GT40 driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon (both New Zealanders), finisihing first. Shelby American also sponsored car #1, the first use of the Gulf Stream colors at Le Mans, driven by Ken Miles (British-American) and Dennis Hulme (Australian) placing second. The 3rd place finishing GT40 was sponsored by Holman-Moody, driven by Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum. Dan Gurney and Gerry Grant drove another Shelby American sponsored GT40, car # 3, red, white stripes. They had engine trouble on the last lap and Dan Gurney pushed the car across the finish line and took 15th place. All GT40s were Mark II. Ferrari 275 GTB/C I believe finished 8th that day, and Ferrari basically never recovered at Le Mans.

1st Place Le Mans 1966 - Shelby American Ford GT 40 Mark II
Winning Time: 130.982 mph / 210.795 kph
Laps 347 Lap Distance 8.364 miles Total Distance 2906.226 mi
Drivers Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon (New Zealand)


So it is because of Henry Ford II, Ford Racing, Lola Racing and Eric Broadly (who designed the Lola sports car later converted to the Ford GT40), Carroll Shelby, Shelby American, Holman-Moody, and the drivers that produced the upsetting Ford-American 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans June 19th, 1966 that we are fortunate to drive the new Ford GT. So here is a glass for a toast to these giants. We should all remember them on June 19th, 2006!!! :cheers

So fire-up your GT on the 19th of June and cross some imaginary finish line in their memory! :thumbsup

 

[AtomicGT]

Here are the 1-2-3 GT40 finishing cars at Le Mans 1966.

 

[Pipelion]

Eric,

I thought it was Henry Ford the III, but you are right, it was H. Ford II.

So when did the Gulf GT40 win in the "heritage paint"? ie; the
three Gulf cars, one that won with the "smile"? Also the arrow, and the stripe ran too. I realize the arrow (number 11), got stuck in the sand. DNF

Allan

The same car won two years at Lermans chassis number 1075.

 

[AtomicGT]

Allan,

It may have been Jacky Ickx/Jackie Oliver in 1969 (car 1075), and Pedro Rodriguez/Lucien Bianchi in 1968 (car 1075). These cars were John Wyer Automotive Engineering cars. These were probably Gulf Stream Heritage colors.

In 1969, GT40 took 1st and 3rd. 3rd place was a car driven by David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood. Both the 1st place and 3rd place GT40s were John Wyer Automotive Engineering cars. Since both were the same engineering, they were probably the Gulf Stream colored cars.

Gurney won in 1967 in a Red GT40 Mark IV. There are some interesting web sites I can find and attach later. :biggrin

Here is a website with all the information on Le Mans. Just click the year link to the left and all the data comes up.

http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/lemans.html

 

[AtomicGT]

Allan,

1966 Le Mans Race

1st Ford GT40
2nd Ford GT40
3rd Ford GT40
4th Porsche 906 LE
5th Porsche 906 LE
6th Porsche 906 LE
7th Porsche 906 LE
8th Ferrari 275 GTB/C
9th Alpine A210 Renault
10th Ferrari 275 GTB/C [9035]

Ferrari sucked big time on this day!

However,

Le Mans 1965 was a different story

1st Ferrari 250LM
2nd Ferrari 250LM
3rd Ferrari 275 GTB/C
4th Porsche 904/6
5th Porsche 904/6
6th Ferrari 250LM
7th Ferrari 365P2
8th Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe [CSX2299]

Now it makes a little more sense as the defending Le Mans Champion Producer, Ferrari, from the 1965 sweep of Lemans, was swept out the door by the GT40 in 1966 !!! Rock on Henry Ford II ! :cheers

 

[Pipelion]

Eric,

Thanks, and you are right, to point out, what a big deal that was for the Ford GT. Tray(3) magnifeque.

Allan

 

[AtomicGT]

Allan

here is a pic of Ickx/Oliver Le Mans 1969 heritage colors

 

[AtomicGT]

Allan

Your's truly, Henry Ford, II, taken I believe after the start of the " 34emes - Grand Prix d'Endurance du Mans " June 18th, 1966. This would be 24 hours before three of his GT40s came across the finish line 1-2-3 :wink