Ford GT40 McLaren & Amon winners 24 Hours Le Mans 1966 testing photograph

Description

Bovenkant formulier
A superb and rare photo of the magnificent
Ford GT40 Mk II (#2)
of
Bruce McLaren
and
Chris Amon
, photographed during practice before their
WIN
of
the
1966
24 Hours
race of
Le Mans
which was ridden on the
18TH and 19TH of June, 1966
.
McLaren and Amon won the
Prototype Unlimited class
and drove
360 laps
in the 24 hours long race. The car was entered by “
Shelby American Inc. ,
USA
“.
Shelby
also entered the car that finished in 2ND place, also a Ford GT 40 Mk II , which was ridden by Ken Miles and Denis Hulme. The number 3 finisher was also a Ford GT 40 MkII , ridden by Ronnie Bucknum and Richard “ Dick “ Hutcherson. This car was entered by Holman & Moddy USA (Essex Wire Corporation,
USA
) and is
also seen in the background of the photograph
.
This is a very historic photo, as McLaren and Amon just won their
FIRST
of four consecutive
Ford GT40 victories
at the 24 Hours of
Le Mans
between
1966 and 1969
! And – the numbers
1 – 2 – 3
are all Ford GT 40 ‘s!
The
Ford GT40
was a high performance sports car and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969 (in 1967 with a different body, though). It was built to win long-distance sports car races against Ferrari (who won at
Le Mans
six times in a row from 1960 to 1965). The GT40 GT-40P 1075 was the first car to win at
Le Mans
twice (in 1968 and 1969). That car used the Gurney Weslake engine with the special alloy heads made by Weslake. The car was named the GT (for Grand Tourisme) with the 40 representing its overall height of
40 inches
(
1.02 m
, measured at the windshield) as required by the rules. Large displacement Ford V8 engines (4.7 L and
7 L
) were used, compared with the Ferrari V12 which displaced
3.0 L
or
4.0 L
. Early cars were simply named "Ford GT". The name "GT40" was the name of Ford's project to prepare the cars for the international endurance racing circuit, and the quest to win the 24 Hours of
Le Mans
. The first 12 "prototype" vehicles carried serial numbers GT-101 through GT-112. The "production" began and the subsequent cars, the MkI, MkIIs, MkIIIs, and MkVs, numbered GT40-P-1000 through GT40-P-1145, were officially "GT40s". The name of Ford's project, and the serial numbers dispel the story that "GT40" was "only a nickname." The contemporary Ford GT is a modern homage to the GT40.
This is a very nice and very rare
non period
photo that reflects a wonderful era of Ford GT 40 and 24 Hours of Le Mans history in a wonderful way.
This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x
30 cm
).
It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.