An anxious Henry Ford II (far right) waiting for the Ford GT40s to make their last run up the pit straight at the close of the '66 race.
The powerful, seven-litre V8-powered Ford racers were not guaranteed victory that day. GT40s had competed in 1964 and 1964, showing incredible potential but being dogged by mechanical issues that knocked them out of contention. Yet Ford and legendary names of motorsport – including the creator of the Shelby Cobra, Carroll Shelby – teamed to come back in 1966 with a vengeance. A new version of the GT40 – the Mark II – was entered for the 1966 race.
Having already won the 1966 Daytona and Sebring endurance races in America , Ford was confident of breaking its Le Mans jinx. More than a dozen Ford GTs were entered, driven by such famous pilots as Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, Mark Donohue, Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Guy Ligier, Peter Revson and Jacky Ickx.
After the trials of 24 hours, including mechanical breakdowns and inevitable crashes, three Ford GTs were leading the field. The victory went to Shelby American's black No. 2 car, driven by McLaren and Chris Amon. It edged another Shelby entry, the light blue No. 1 car of Ken Miles and Denny Hulme. Third place went to Holman Moody's gold No. 5 car, driven by Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson.