1966 Ford GT Le Mans 1-2-3 Finish 0002-4289

The chequered flag falling on a Ford GT40 Mk II at Le Mans, June 1966. This is the moment Ford beat Ferrari outright for the first time.

What Is Happening in This Photograph?

The flag marshal is mid-swing on a wet start and finish straight, a Mk II crossing beneath him with a second Ford in shot behind. Photographers crouch along the barrier in the foreground. The pit lane signage of the period fills the background. Everything in the frame is 1966: the advertising hoardings, the straw bales, the crowd standing on the pit roof.

What Was the Result?

Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon won in number 2 after 360 laps and 4,843 kilometres, averaging 201.8 km/h. Ken Miles and Denny Hulme were second on the same lap in number 1. Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson took third for Holman and Moody. It was the first outright Le Mans win by an American manufacturer and the end of six consecutive Ferrari victories.

Why Was the Finish Controversial?

Six hours from the end, Ford decided its three surviving Mk IIs should cross the line together for the cameras. McLaren was told to catch Miles for a dead heat. He arrived six metres ahead at the line, and because his car had started just over fourteen metres further back on the grid it had covered the greater distance in 24 hours. The organisers gave the win to number 2 on that basis. Miles had won Daytona and Sebring that year and was denied the sweep by a public relations decision.

Who Is This Print For?

This 1-2-3 finish print suits Ford GT collectors, endurance racing enthusiasts, motorsport historians, dealership showrooms and corporate interiors. A photograph of three cars crossing together records an outcome rather than a moment, which is why it works particularly well in a boardroom or showroom setting. Choose framed print, stretched canvas, ChromaLuxe metal or Giclée.

Photograph Details

• Event: 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Date: 18 to 19 June 1966
• Winning car: Ford GT40 Mk II number 2, Ford Motor Company and Shelby American
• Winning drivers: Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon
• Distance: 360 laps, 4,843 km, average 201.8 km/h
• Archive reference: 0002-4289

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.