The Ken Miles GT40 car was a legendary race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
The GT40 was developed by Ford to compete against Ferrari in endurance racing. It was designed by Eric Broadley and powered by a 7.0-liter V8 engine. The GT40 was first raced in 1964, but it was not until 1966 that it achieved its greatest success.
At the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, the GT40 driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon finished first overall. This was a major victory for Ford and a personal triumph for Miles, who had been instrumental in the development of the GT40.
The GT40 is still considered one of the greatest race cars of all time. It was a technological marvel that helped Ford to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans.
Ken Miles GT40 Car
The Ken Miles GT40 car was a legendary race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. It was developed by Ford to compete against Ferrari in endurance racing and was designed by Eric Broadley and powered by a 7.0-liter V8 engine.
- Iconic: The GT40 is still considered one of the greatest race cars of all time.
- Innovative: The GT40 was a technological marvel that helped Ford to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans.
- Successful: The GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row from 1966 to 1969.
- Beautiful: The GT40 is a stunningly beautiful car that is still admired by car enthusiasts today.
- Expensive: The GT40 is a rare and valuable car that can sell for millions of dollars at auction.
- Historical: The GT40 is a significant part of automotive history and is on display in museums around the world.
The Ken Miles GT40 car is a true icon of the automotive world. It is a symbol of Ford's triumph over Ferrari and a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the engineers who designed and built it.
Personal details and bio data of Ken Miles:
| Name | Born | Died | Nationality | Occupation ||---|---|---|---|---|| Ken Miles | November 1, 1918 | August 17, 1966 | British | Racing driver and engineer |Iconic
The Ken Miles GT40 car is considered one of the greatest race cars of all time because of its many successes on the track. The GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row from 1966 to 1969, and it also won the 12 Hours of Sebring three times. The GT40's success was due in large part to its innovative design and its powerful engine. The GT40 was also driven by some of the best drivers in the world, including Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, and Chris Amon.
The GT40's iconic status is also due to its association with Ken Miles. Miles was a brilliant engineer and driver who played a key role in the development of the GT40. He was also a close friend of Carroll Shelby, the team manager who led Ford's racing program. Miles' tragic death in a testing accident in 1966 only added to the legend of the GT40.
Today, the GT40 is still considered one of the most beautiful and iconic race cars of all time. It is a symbol of Ford's triumph over Ferrari and a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the engineers who designed and built it.
Innovative
The Ken Miles GT40 car was a technological marvel that helped Ford to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. The GT40 was designed by a team of engineers led by Eric Broadley, and it featured a number of innovative features that gave it an edge over the competition. These features included a lightweight chassis, a powerful engine, and advanced aerodynamics.
One of the most important innovations on the GT40 was its lightweight chassis. The chassis was made of aluminum, which made it much lighter than the steel chassis used on the Ferrari. This gave the GT40 a significant advantage in terms of speed and handling.
Another important innovation on the GT40 was its powerful engine. The GT40 was powered by a 7.0-liter V8 engine that produced over 500 horsepower. This gave the GT40 a significant advantage in terms of power and acceleration.
Finally, the GT40 also featured advanced aerodynamics. The GT40's sleek design helped to reduce drag and improve stability at high speeds. This gave the GT40 a significant advantage on the long straights of Le Mans.
The combination of these innovative features gave the Ken Miles GT40 car a significant advantage over the competition. The GT40 was faster, lighter, and more aerodynamic than the Ferrari, and it was this advantage that helped Ford to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans.
Successful
The Ken Miles GT40 car was instrumental in Ford's success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The GT40 won the race four times in a row from 1966 to 1969, a feat that has never been matched by any other car.
- Design and engineering: The GT40 was a technological marvel, featuring a lightweight chassis, a powerful engine, and advanced aerodynamics. These features gave the GT40 a significant advantage over the competition.
- Teamwork: The GT40's success was also due to the hard work and dedication of the Ford team. The team worked tirelessly to develop and improve the GT40, and their efforts paid off with four consecutive wins at Le Mans.
- Drivers: The GT40 was also driven by some of the best drivers in the world, including Ken Miles, Bruce McLaren, and Chris Amon. These drivers were able to push the GT40 to its limits and extract every ounce of performance from the car.
- Strategy: Ford's strategy at Le Mans was also a key factor in the GT40's success. The team focused on reliability and consistency, rather than outright speed. This strategy paid off, as the GT40 was able to complete the race without any major problems.
The Ken Miles GT40 car was a major factor in Ford's success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car's design, engineering, teamwork, drivers, and strategy all contributed to its four consecutive wins at the world's most famous endurance race.
Beautiful
The Ken Miles GT40 car is considered one of the most beautiful race cars of all time. Its sleek design and iconic curves have made it a favorite among car enthusiasts for decades.
- Timeless design: The GT40's design is timeless, and it still looks as good today as it did when it was first introduced in the 1960s. The car's flowing lines and aerodynamic shape are a perfect example of form following function.
- Striking colors: The GT40 was often painted in striking colors, such as red, blue, and white. These colors helped to make the car even more eye-catching and memorable.
- Rarity: The GT40 is a rare car, with only a few hundred examples ever produced. This rarity has only added to the car's appeal and desirability.
- Celebrity status: The GT40 has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, which has helped to increase its popularity and appeal.
The Ken Miles GT40 car is a true work of art. Its beauty is timeless, and it is sure to continue to be admired by car enthusiasts for generations to come.
Expensive
The Ken Miles GT40 car is a rare and valuable car because of its historical significance and its performance on the track. The GT40 was only produced for a few years, and only a few hundred examples were ever made. This rarity has made the GT40 a highly sought-after car among collectors.
In addition to its rarity, the GT40 is also valuable because of its performance on the track. The GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row from 1966 to 1969, a feat that has never been matched by any other car. This success on the track has made the GT40 one of the most iconic race cars of all time.
The combination of rarity and performance has made the Ken Miles GT40 car a very valuable car. GT40s regularly sell for millions of dollars at auction, and the prices are only going up. In 2019, a 1966 GT40 sold for a record-breaking $11 million at auction.
The high price of the Ken Miles GT40 car is a testament to its historical significance, its performance on the track, and its rarity. The GT40 is a true collector's item, and it is sure to continue to be a valuable car for many years to come.
Historical
The Ken Miles GT40 car is a significant part of automotive history because of its success on the track and its role in Ford's victory over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The GT40 won Le Mans four times in a row from 1966 to 1969, and it is still considered one of the greatest race cars of all time.
- Technological innovation: The GT40 was a technological marvel, featuring a lightweight chassis, a powerful engine, and advanced aerodynamics. These innovations gave the GT40 a significant advantage over the competition, and they helped Ford to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans.
- Cultural impact: The GT40's success at Le Mans made it a cultural icon. The car was featured in movies and TV shows, and it became a symbol of American ingenuity and innovation.
- Historical preservation: The GT40 is now considered a valuable historical artifact. Many GT40s are on display in museums around the world, where they can be admired by car enthusiasts and historians alike.
The Ken Miles GT40 car is a significant part of automotive history because of its technological innovation, its cultural impact, and its historical preservation. The car is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the engineers who designed and built it, and it is a reminder of Ford's triumph over Ferrari at Le Mans.
Ken Miles GT40 FAQs
This section addresses frequently asked questions about the Ken Miles GT40 car, providing concise and informative answers.
Question 1: What makes the Ken Miles GT40 so significant?
The Ken Miles GT40 is significant for its groundbreaking design, engineering, and racing success. It was a technological marvel that helped Ford achieve its historic victory over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Question 2: What were the key features of the Ken Miles GT40?
The GT40 featured a lightweight chassis, a powerful 7.0-liter V8 engine, and advanced aerodynamics. These features gave it superior speed, handling, and stability, enabling it to dominate endurance racing.
Question 3: How many Ken Miles GT40s were produced?
Only a limited number of Ken Miles GT40s were produced, making them highly exclusive and sought-after by collectors. The exact number varies depending on the source, but estimates range from 31 to 39.
Question 4: What is the estimated value of a Ken Miles GT40 today?
Due to its rarity and historical significance, the Ken Miles GT40 commands a high value in the collector car market. Values can vary significantly depending on factors such as condition, provenance, and auction trends; however, they typically range from several million to tens of millions of dollars.
Question 5: Where can I see a Ken Miles GT40 in person?
Several Ken Miles GT40s are on public display in museums and private collections worldwide. Some notable locations include the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, and the National Automobile Museum in Reno.
Question 6: How is the Ken Miles GT40 remembered today?
The Ken Miles GT40 remains an iconic symbol of automotive innovation and racing triumph. It is celebrated for its role in Ford's victory at Le Mans, its technological advancements, and its enduring legacy as one of the most successful and recognizable race cars of all time.
In conclusion, the Ken Miles GT40 is a captivating piece of automotive history that continues to inspire and fascinate car enthusiasts worldwide.
Transition to the next article section: For further exploration, discover the captivating story behind the development, success, and legacy of the Ken Miles GT40 in our comprehensive article.
Conclusion
The Ken Miles GT40 car stands as a testament to the ingenuity, passion, and competitive spirit that drive automotive innovation and racing excellence. Through its groundbreaking design, engineering, and legendary victories, the GT40 has cemented its place in history as one of the most iconic and successful race cars of all time.
The car's legacy extends beyond its triumphs on the track. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of collaboration, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and the timeless allure of automotive engineering. The Ken Miles GT40 car continues to inspire car enthusiasts and automotive professionals alike, fostering a deep appreciation for the artistry and science that shape the world of motorsports.
