1966 Daytona 24 Hour Race 0001-4483

This official archive photograph captures a driver belted into the cockpit of a Ford GT40 at the 1966 Daytona 24 Hours, photographed through the open door with the wood-rimmed steering wheel, full gauge cluster and gated shifter in clear view. Ford's Mk II cars finished 1-2-3 at Daytona in 1966, the opening statement of the season in which Ford also swept Le Mans.

What Does This Photograph Show?

The driver sits low and reclined in the GT40's tub, harness over the shoulders, wearing a dark open-face helmet and light driving suit. He has turned to face the photographer, giving the frame the character of a portrait rather than a technical record.

Because the door is raised, the cockpit is unusually well documented: the wood-rimmed steering wheel on its polished boss, a bank of gauges across the centre of the dash, switchgear to the right and the gear lever with its exposed linkage at the driver's hip. Behind the car, crew and photographers stand under an open paddock canopy.

Why Was the 1966 Daytona Race Important?

The Daytona Continental 24 Hours in February 1966 was the race at which Ford's endurance programme finally delivered. The Mk II cars filled the first three places, proving the 427-powered cars could last as well as lead.

That result set up the rest of the year. In June 1966 Ford took a 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans, ending Ferrari's dominance and starting a run of four consecutive Ford victories there.

What Was It Like Inside a GT40?

Cockpit details visible in this photograph:

• Extremely low seating position dictated by the car's 40-inch overall height
• Wood-rimmed steering wheel, standard practice for the period
• Full analogue instrumentation grouped across the centre of the dash
• Open gear linkage and exposed pedal box
• Roof-hinged door cut into the roofline to make entry possible at all

Who Is This Print For?

This GT40 cockpit print suits Ford collectors, GT40 enthusiasts, endurance racing followers, restoration shops, offices and garages. As vintage Ford racing wall art an interior study appeals to viewers who already know the car from the outside. Choose framed, canvas, metal or Giclée formats for a home office, study, museum display or Ford wall decor programme.

Photograph Details

• Event: Daytona Continental 24 Hours, cockpit study
• Date: February 1966
• Location: Daytona International Speedway, Florida
• Car: Ford GT40
• Race result: Ford Mk II cars finished first, second and third overall
• Archive reference: 0001-4483

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.