Ford’s 1966 Le Mans GT40s enjoy a rare reunion at the 2026 Festival of Speed

12th July 2026

Adam Wilkins

It is one of the most famous race finishes in history. On its third attempt at winning the Le Mans 24 Hours, Ford finally topped rival Ferrari in 1966 — and in compelling style. Three GT40s crossed the line in formation for a photo finish that locked out all three steps of the podium.

That historic moment has been recreated here on the Hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, with the very same cars that were there in La Sarthe for that history-making moment.

Seeing all three cars together in one place is a rare treat. Witnessing them driving in formation is all the more special, so it was a real pinch-yourself moment when they ascended the Hill in formation.

Sixty years ago, Ford turned up in La Sarthe primed for victory. No fewer than eight GT40s started the race, three apiece from Shelby America and Holman & Moody, and Alan Mann Racing fielded two cars. There was an element of team orders, the Shelby team being the de facto works entry, but ultimately the main aim was to beat Ferrari.

Festival of Speed

Le Mans ‘66: The story of Ford’s legendary triumph

To that end, 20 tons of spares and equipment and more than 100 crew members were shipped from New York to France in preparation for the race. Very little was left to chance.

It was with agreement of the organisers that Ford orchestrated a photo finish with the leading cars, the first two cars genuinely in close proximity on the road and the third placed car 12 laps down. It was the Shelby-entered car of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon that crossed the line, followed by team-mate Ken Miles and Denny Hulme. Completing the podium were Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson in their Holman & Moody car.

Whatever the circumstances, that famous finish line scene has become one of motorsport’s most enduring images. While the Ford Motor Company is and was mighty, it nonetheless had the feeling of an underdog victory. Here was a company that made Anglias and Cortinas beating a fabled supercar manufacturer on the track.

The three cars have recently come under the same ownership of the Miller Family Automobile Foundation, which previously owned the first and third placed cars. They will return to West Sussex again for September’s Goodwood Revival presented by Dunlop, so if you missed them at the Festival of Speed there’s another chance to get an impression of what it would have been like to stand at the finish line of 1966’s Le Mans 24 Hours. We can’t wait to see them again soon.