Le Mans 1966: Here's what it actually looked like

A rare color image from the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans showing the No. 1 and No. 2 Ford GT40s.

The 1966 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most important races in Ford’s history. The Ford GT40 finally reached the success that was expected from it, and Ford trampled Ferrari in the most prestigious endurance race of its time. As crazy as the truth of the 1966 Le Mans adventure for Ford was, it was a natural for a Hollywood retelling, which we finally have in Ford v Ferrari.

Our own Mark Vaughn says the movie is about as close as we’re going to get, and he’s right: The movie puts you right into the action and the drama of building a race program and taking it to the top. What it doesn’t show: historical footage.

Here’s your 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans winners: a trio of Ford GT40s.

The No. 2 car driven by Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren technically won the race after traveling farther than the other Fords, despite finishing at the same time. 

Here’s another shot of the Ford GT40s ahead of their photo finish at the 1966 race.

The No. 1 Ford GT40 driven by Ken Miles and Denny Hulme sits behind the No. 2 Ford GT40 piloted by Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren.

The No. 2 Ford GT40 coming out of the Mulsanne hairpin at the 1966 24 hours of Le Mans. 

The No. 2 Ford GT40 sits on pit row ahead of the race. 

The No. 2 Ford GT40 during a pit stop.

Ken Miles, driver of the No. 1 Ford GT40, takes time away from the car during the race.

A rare color image from the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans showing the No. 1 and No. 2 Ford GT40s.

The Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren Ford GT40 running the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Another rare color shot of the Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren GT40 during the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

The Ford support van was able to help keep the Ford GT40s alive during the race and pre-race events.

A trio of Ferraris sitting in the pit row with a Ford GT40 driving past, likely during practice. 

The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans was the playing field for one of the most significant moments in Ford history, which is the focal point of the film Ford v Ferrari.

The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans was the playing field for one of the most significant moments in Ford history, which is the focal point of the film Ford v Ferrari.

A Ford GT40 with its nose removed.

Another shot of the race-winning No. 2 Ford GT40.

The No. 3 Ford GT40 in the 1966 Le Mans race was piloted by Dan Gurney and Jerry Grant. It did not finish the race.

The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans was the playing field for one of the most significant moments in Ford history, which is the focal point of the film Ford v Ferrari.

Ken Miles is strapped into his GT40.

The start of the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans was the playing field for one of the most significant moments in Ford history, which is the focal point of the film Ford v Ferrari.

This gallery features a lot of Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren’s No. 2 race-winning GT40. The photographer also had the foresight to capture drivers like Ken Miles simply experiencing the race.

Check out this short set of images to see what it was really like in 1966 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, ahead, during and after the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And for more on the retelling, check out our interview with stars Christian Bale and Matt Damon and a conversation with director James Mangold.

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