1966 24 Hours of Le Mans - The winning Ford GT40 is being restored
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1966 24 Hours of Le Mans - The winning Ford GT40 is being restored

The RK Motors company bought the Ford GT 40 Mk II that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 with the goal of restoring it. The first car fabricated in the U.S. is intended to be presented at the Pebble Beach, California concours d'

 

Ford announced at the Detroit Motor Show the GT's renaissance in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of its historic one-two-three in La Sarthe. The original version, the No. 2 P/1046 GT was to undergo a 20-month rejuvenation in Charlotte, North Carolina in RK Motors' workshops, to regain its original appearance.

Indeed, after its win in the hands of Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren, the auto developed by Caroll Shelby and entered by the Shelby-American, Inc. team was modified to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1967. Unfortunately, the No. 1046 chassis had an accident following gearbox issues. Thereafter, the car changed hands several times before reappearing at the Le Mans Classic in 2006 for the 40th anniversary of its win.

Looking to Pebble Beach in 2016 for the opportunity to appreciate a legendary American car.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, JUNE 18 & 19 1966, RACE. The No. 2 Ford GT crossed the finish line in first place.

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