Memorable racecars: 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II

Revenge is a dish best served cold, so they say. In the instance of Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari, it followed il Commendatore’s decision to not sell his beloved business to Ford. The Blue Oval served the Maranello manufacturer a chilling dish with a one-twothree finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1966 when a trio of Mk II GT40S crossed the line in formation for a picture-perfect finish. Finally dethroning the Prancing Horse after three years, Ford became the first American company to win the fam‐ ous endurance race. Team Shelby American’s Bruce Mclaren and Chris Amon were declared the winners, with Shelby American’s Ken Miles and Denny Hulme capturing second, and team Holman Moody’s Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson placing third. Thirteen Ford GT40S entered the race to ensure at least one win.

Designated GT40 because of an overall height of just 40 inches (a mere 1,02 m), the Mk I was rebuilt by North Carolinian firm Holman Moody to accommodate the Ford Galaxie-sourced 7,0-litre naturally aspirated V8, producing 362 kw and 644 N.m of torque. With New Zealand driver Bruce Mclaren behind the wheel, the black and silver Le Mans-winning Mk II reached speeds in excess of 330 km/h on the Mulsanne straight. According to Ford, the GT40 Mk II weighed only 1 217 kg.

More than five decades after Ford’s iconic victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Bucknum and Hutcherson’s podium-placing Mk II would fetch $9 795 000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction. That’s a whopping R131 577 214,50. Who said revenge doesn’t pay?