1966 Le Mans 0001-4463

Three Shelby American Ford Mk IIs lined up on the pit road at Le Mans in 1966, numbers 1, 2 and 3 nose to tail before the start.

What Is in This Photograph?

An elevated view down the line of cars from behind. Nearest the camera is the white number 1 car, its rear bodywork filling the foreground with the roundel, the twin intake scoops and the exhaust exits all clearly visible. Beyond it stands the black number 2 car, then number 3. The pit counter, the timing tower and the grandstands run away to the left, and the terracing is dense with spectators. Period trackside advertising lines the wall. A marshal in dark uniform stands at the rail in the right foreground.

Which Cars Are These?

Shelby American's entry for 1966. Number 1 was the Ken Miles and Denny Hulme car, number 2 the Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon car that was credited with the win, and number 3 the third of the team's Mk IIs (1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sports Car Digest). Eight seven-litre Mk IIs started the race in total, run by Shelby American, Holman and Moody and Alan Mann Racing, all prepared to the same specification (Motor Sport).

Why Is a Pre-Race Photograph Worth Having?

Because it is the only point at which the whole effort is visible and intact. Within twenty-four hours these three cars had produced a win, a disputed second place and a retirement, and the line-up as it stands here never existed again. Images of cars at rest before a race read very differently from action photography: they are about anticipation rather than speed.

Who Is This Print For?

This Le Mans print suits Ford GT collectors, endurance racing enthusiasts, motorsport historians, dealership showrooms and study interiors. Three identified cars in one frame make it a stronger single statement than any individual car portrait, and the vertical composition suits a narrow wall. Choose framed print, stretched canvas, ChromaLuxe metal or Giclée.

Photograph Details

• Event: 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1966
• Vehicles: Three Shelby American Ford Mk IIs, race numbers 1, 2 and 3
• Moment: Pit road before the start
• Setting: Circuit de la Sarthe, pit counter and grandstands
• View: Elevated, from behind the line of cars
• Archive reference: 0001-4463

This archival photograph is made available through Fordimages.com, the official Ford archive imagery licensee operated by Richard Weedn LLC. Each image is digitally restored before printing and handcrafted to order.

Available as:

• Framed Print — museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, hanging hardware included
• Stretched Canvas — hand-stretched over 1.25-inch pine bars, heavy cotton poly matte finish
• ChromaLuxe Metal Print — image infused directly onto sheets of alloy metal for maximum vibrancy and durability
• Giclée Art Print — 260gsm satin finish paper, finest archival inks, white border

Made in the USA or Europe depending on your location.

About the Artwork

Artwork in this collection comes from the Ford Motor Company Archives, The Henry Ford Museum, the Carroll Shelby Archives, and the collections of acclaimed photographers and painters from around the world. Reproduction rights are reserved by the respective copyright owners.

Our framed prints feature a black, hand-stained solid wood frame with a white mat, museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, and hanging hardware. The frame features a slim 0.8-inch face and projects 1.3 inches from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary shadow-box effect. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our stretched canvas prints are produced on acid-free, pH-neutral, and fade-resistant canvas. Each canvas is hand-glued to solid wood stretcher bars and stretched over 1.25-inch-thick pine bars. Mounting brackets are included. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our Giclée prints are produced using premium 200gsm semi-gloss paper and high-quality archival inks. Each print includes a white border around the perimeter.

For the 40 x 60 size, we use 250gsm museum-quality archival paper with an off-white, uncoated finish.

The listed size refers to the overall paper dimensions. The image is printed proportionally within the selected paper size. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

ChromaLuxe prints use a state-of-the-art coating process that infuses the image directly onto sheets of alloy metal. The result is photography with an exceptional combination of vibrancy, clarity, and durability.

Each print arrives ready to hang. An alloy subframe on the back allows the artwork to float away from the wall for a sleek, modern appearance. This is the finest-quality print we offer. Made in the USA.

All images are digitally restored before printing. Production location varies by product and destination. Shipping is calculated at checkout.