1966 Le Mans FORD GT40 MkII Slot Car Racing in H:O scale

Many people avoid H:O or 1:64th scale slot car racing because the cars aren't accurate enough for them.   However, there are always exceptions to every rule, and these Mega G AFX slot car representations of the Ford GT Mark II are certainly amongst them.  They look like the real thing and are painted and decalled to represent significant real cars.  For those of us old enough to remember motor racing in the sixties they are a must have!   If you are lucky you can pick them up new for about US$30 each.

Five Ford GT40 MkIIs line up on the grid

The first Ford GT40s appeared at the Le Mans test days in April 1964 and first raced in the Nurburgring 1,000kms at the end of May where theyproved competitive with the Ferraris but retired.  Three cars were then entered for the Le Mans 24 hours where Ford was obsessed with beating Ferrari having failed to buy them.  Remember that Ferrari were almost unbeatable at Le Mans at this time having won in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963. Again, although competitive all three cars retired.  Thus work began on improving the original Ford GT40 and also work started in early 1965 on the MkII.  The MII had a 7 litre engine compared to the 4.7 litre engine of the original Ford GT40.   It also had a different nose, distinctive intakes for the engine and was considerably beefed up everywhere.

1965 proved a more successful year than 1964 with Ford winning the Daytona Continental 2,000Kms and finishing second to Chaparral at Sebring.   However all six cars failed to finish Le Mans.   Thus more modifications were made to the MkII for the 1966 season.

1966 at last saw Ford achieve its objective with a dominant win at Le Mans.  However, the icing on the cake was that they scored 1,2,3 victories at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans!   This gave them the Manufacturers championship as well.

Slot Car re-construction of the 1966 Le Mans finish (yes, I know the 3rd car isn't right and I didn't simulate the rain!)

The finish to the 1966 Le Mans was staged by Ford so that they could have a great photo of all their 3 cars finishing at the same time.  Unfortunately this robbed Ken Miles and Denny Hulme of the victory they deserved in the No1 car.  If it hadn't been for this, Ken Miles would have won the triple Crown of Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans in one year.  Sadly, it was not to be and in August 1966 Ken Miles died in a race at Riverside.  Incidentally, although he lived in California from the early fifties and was a mainstay of Carroll Shelby's American team, Ken was born in England.

Le Mans start, anyone?

There were only 13 Ford GT40 MkIIs built in real life and today one of these would cost you a small fortune.  A slot car is a more reasonable option.  Many are available in all scales and there are many available in H:O scale or of course why not paint the one you want.   The five you see here are:

Light Blue No 1 - The second placed car in the 1966 Le Mans 24 hours driven by Ken Miles and Denny Hulme.  This car, entered by Shelby American, was leading until the staged finish.

The Miles/Hulme car from above

Black No 2 - The All Blacks winner of the 1966 Le Mans 24 hours driven by the New Zealanders Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.  Again this was entered by Shelby American.

All Black winner of the 1966 Le Mans 24 hours

Red No 3 - This was the 3rd Shelby American car at the 1966 Le Mans and was driven by the Americans Dan Gurney and Jerry Grant.  Dan Gurney was both the fastest qualifier and took fastest lap in the race with this car.  However, it eventually retired.

Pretend you are Dan Gurney in the No3 car

Gold No 4 - This was the lead Holman and Moody entered car and was driven by Paul Hawkins and Mark Donohue.  Unfortunately, although fast, it retired after 12 laps.

Mark Donohoe's No 4 car

Dark Blue No 6 - This was another Holman and Moody entered car.  Driven by Lucien Bianchi and Mario Andretti, it retired after 97 laps.

Mario Andretti's car roars down the long straight

The Number 4 and 6 cars have clear bodies and clever cardboard inserts to show more detail.  I use these for racing whilst the other 3 remain on the shelf and for photo shoots.

See who wins on your track.  McLaren or Miles?