This summer, the three Ford GT Mk IIs that crossed the Le Mans 24hr finishing line (virtually) together in that landmark 1966 race, will appear together once more at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and the Goodwood Revival in September.

Hands up, who loves the 2019 movie Le Mans ’66 starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon? (MEEE!)

Well, these are those three Ford GT cars that were driven by the 2-man teams of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon (Ford), Ken Miles and Denny Hulme (Shelby American), and Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson (Ford) who not only out-classed the longstanding dominant Ferrari team, but then came in together for the controversial finish at Le Mans in 1966.

Why controversial?

Ken Miles was setting new lap records and was significantly ahead before being ordered to slow down and wait for the other Fords so that they could stage a photo-finish, which resulted in him being denied the win despite his dominant performance. He was leading comfortably in the #1 Ford GT (with co-driver Denny Hulme) and was on track for a historic triple crown (Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans), which he never achieved. Although Miles’s car crossed the line by a nose, race officials awarded the victory to McLaren and Amon because their car #2 had started further back and, by running at a consistent speed (including slowing down), technically covered more distance by the time the checkered flag fell on the clock.

Yeah! I know! And so do Ken Miles fans the world over.

Anyway, now, on the 60th anniversary of that legendary race, the three cars – chassis P/1046, P/1015, and P/1016 – will be in action once more. Thanks to the Shelby family, Miller Family Automobile Foundation and Rob Kaufman’s RK Motors

“An intense personal rivalry between three influential figures in the auto industry sparked a fierce competition during the golden era of sports car racing,” says Aaron Shelby, Board Member of Carroll Shelby International and grandson of the automotive icon. “The epic struggle of Ford and Shelby against Ferrari played out at tracks around the globe, culminating at Le Mans in 1966. That incredible race, which continues to resonate with motorsports fans worldwide, shaped Shelby American’s destiny for the next 60 years.”

The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard takes place Thursday 9 – Sunday 12 July.
The Goodwood Revival takes place Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September.

Details and tickets are available on the Goodwood.com website.

I have reviewed the Le Mans 24hr Museum here.