In 1966, the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race played host to a historic battle between two automotive giants - Ferrari and Ford. Having won the prestigious race six times in a row, Ferrari was the reigning champion, but Ford was determined to end their streak. It was the iconic Ford GT40 Mk.II that would carry the hopes of the American team to victory. The GT40s were fitted with powerful 7-litre V8 engines, making them some of the fastest cars on the track.
The race was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with both experiencing setbacks and lead changes, ultimately leading to an enormous victory for Ford. The victory was not without controversy, as Ford had ordered a staged finish for all three Ford cars. The #1 GT40 piloted by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby was ordered slow down to allow the #2 car to catch up and cross the finish line side-by-side. Based on the position of the cars on the starting grid, car #2 in the end covered more distance and ultimately won, despite car #1 leading the race most of the time.
Even with such a bitter-sweet ending for one of the Ford teams, the win marked a major achievement for the brand and a significant moment in racing history. The GT40s went on to win the next three Le Mans races, cementing their place as one of the greatest race cars of all time. The triumph of the GT40 marked the end of Ferrari's dominance at Le Mans and remains a symbol of Ford's passion for racing. The McLaren / Amon duo had driven a flawless race, proving the GT40's mettle as a true racing legend and securing its place in motorsport history.