Ford published the sketches of an iconic vehicle for its history as is Ford GT40, the brand of the oval triumphed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for four consecutive years between 1966 and 1969.According to the American firm, these illustrations date from June 11, 1963 and are the first to exist of the model.” Looking the other day for the collection of negatives, Ford’s archivists found some of the first sketches of the Ford GT40 design, drawn 57 years ago,” for Ford Performance’s social media.
The broadcast images show three sketches from different angles and also an illustration of several interior components. The Ford GT40 was born from the anger of Herny Ford II (grandson of the brand’s founder) after failed negotiations with Enzo Ferrari to buy his company, but the Italian backed out.
In this way, Henry Ford II gave the order to his sports division to build a vehicle that could dethrone those of the Cavallino Rampante at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
They were tasked with testing the prototype, Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles at Los Angeles International Airport. But Ford sent Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren to the 1965 competition, as Miles didn’t appear to be the ideal driver. The vehicle does not finish the race, although it still scares Ferrari for its maximum speed reached before the break. In 1966 Leo Beebe took over the competition division, intending to continue the program without Miles. After negotiations and talks between Shelby and Henry II, Miles also ends up racing the 24 hours of Le Mans recounting the film Ford v Ferrari: Against the Impossible.Christian Bale plays Miles, who suffered a series of flaws and inconveniences during the race, but was still able to reach Ferrari every time he proposed. They were a series of lap records until he stayed on top, with his teammates escorting him.
Miles came as a leader and with a big advantage. But that difference disappeared. The order was clear: the three Fords had to enter formation, leading to a tie between 1 and 2. Despite effusively showing his disapproval, Miles ended up obeying out of respect for Shelby, so he lifted up and allowed Bruce McLaren to approach. However, he was overtaken by McLaren and some speculation opens up there. One is that Bruce decided to speed up a little more to receive the checkered flag in the first place.
Another speaks that the tiebreaker came in the wake of a rule article that said that, in the event of a tie, the car that had left further back on the grid would win, as it would have traveled more meters in the same time space. Bad tongues say Beebe knew, but did not communicate to Henry Ford II or Carroll Shelby to lead to the victory of McLaren and Amon.Miles, a man disinterested in the studies he quickly learned mechanics. He was born in Birmigham in 1918 and in 1966 was able to keep the glory. He didn’t make it. In 2001 he entered Motorsport Hall of Fame of America, where the names Carroll Shelby, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon also reside.
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