1966 Ford GT Le Mans Win 0002-4288

Three Ford GT40 Mk IIs on a soaking circuit in the closing stages of the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours, the race that ended Ferrari's run of outright wins and delivered Ford a one, two, three.

What Is Happening in This Photograph?

Ford had three Mk IIs still running late on the Sunday and decided to bring them across the line together for the photograph. The cars are grouped on a wet surface with spectators pressed against the barriers on the left. The formation is deliberate, not a battle: the team had told its drivers to hold position.

Why Was 1966 the Race That Mattered?

Ferrari had won Le Mans six years running. Ford's answer was the seven-litre Mk II, and in 1966 it worked. Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon took the win in number 2 after 360 laps and 4,843 kilometres at an average of 201.8 km/h. Ken Miles and Denny Hulme were second in number 1, on the same lap. Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson finished third for Holman and Moody, twelve laps down.

What Were the Conditions Like?

Rain arrived before the start and returned repeatedly. Heavy rain was falling six hours in and again at half past midnight. The wet cut into the power advantage of the big Fords and kept the Ferraris in touch through dusk, and it caused a series of accidents, including a multi-car incident in the Esses. The standing water on the track surface in this frame is the reason the result was closer than the cars' speed suggested.

Who Is This Print For?

This Le Mans print suits Ford GT collectors, endurance racing enthusiasts, motorsport historians, restoration shops and dealership showrooms. The 1966 win is the moment Ford's programme paid off, and images from it carry weight with anyone who knows the story behind it. Choose framed print, stretched canvas, ChromaLuxe metal or Giclée for a study, office, garage or museum display.

Photograph Details

• Event: 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Date: 18 to 19 June 1966
• Cars: Ford GT40 Mk II, seven-litre V8
• Result: First McLaren and Amon, second Miles and Hulme, third Bucknum and Hutcherson
• Winning distance: 360 laps, 4,843 km
• Archive reference: 0002-4288

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.