How fast was the Ford GT in 1966?
The 1966 Ford GT was a high-performance sports car that set the racing world ablaze with its incredible speed and power. Developed as a direct competitor to the dominant Ferrari race cars of the era, the Ford GT quickly established itself as one of the fastest and most capable vehicles on the track.
Top Speed and Acceleration
The 1966 Ford GT was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine that produced an impressive 485 horsepower. This allowed the car to reach a top speed of 215 mph (346 km/h), making it one of the fastest production cars of its time. The GT's acceleration was equally impressive, with the car able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.
Dominating the Racetrack
The Ford GT's incredible speed and handling made it a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack. In 1966, the GT won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, defeating the previously dominant Ferrari race cars. This victory cemented the Ford GT's status as one of the greatest race cars of the 1960s.
Legacy and Impact
The 1966 Ford GT's success on the racetrack had a lasting impact on the automotive industry. It demonstrated that American manufacturers could compete with the best of Europe, and paved the way for future high-performance sports cars from Ford and other domestic automakers. The GT's legacy continues to be felt today, with the modern Ford GT supercar drawing inspiration from its iconic predecessor.
How fast was Ken Miles going when he died?
200 miles per hour
After almost a day of testing at Riverside International Raceway in the very hot Southern California desert, Miles approached the end of the track's one-mile (1.6 km) downhill back straight at top speed—over 200 miles per hour (320 km/h)—when the car suddenly flipped, crashed, and caught fire.
How much is a 1966 Ford GT worth?
How much is a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I worth? The value of a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $5,050,000 for a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I in good condition with average spec.
Did Ken Miles win Le Mans in 1966?
Miles won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966, and he placed second at Le Mans. Miles died in a crash while testing Ford's J-Car later that year. British-born Ken Miles was a gifted race car engineer and driver.
How fast were race cars in 1966?
1966 Indianapolis 500
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |
| Average speed | 144.317 mph (232.256 km/h) |
| Pole position | Mario Andretti |
| Pole speed | 165.899 mph (266.989 km/h) |
What is the top speed of the 1966 Ford GT40?
The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph. The GT40 has a lightweight construction, featuring a monocoque chassis made of aluminum and a body made of fiberglass. The total weight of the car is just 2,205 lbs, which enables it to handle brilliantly on the track.
What did Carroll Shelby think of Ken Miles?
A singular character – "Ken was very unique for me. It seemed like he created a hell of a lot of controversy before he came to work for me at Shelby American. But I always got along with Ken just fine." A generous spirit – "Ken was a world-class and the best test driver I ever knew.
How many gears did the 1966 GT40 have?
four speed
Interestingly, the Mark IIs only used four speed manual transmissions, as the bigger engine put out so much torque that a five-speed gear box was considered unnecessary. The photo finish of three GT Mark IIs at the 1966 Le Mans race.
How fast did the original GT40 go?
Thanks to its streamlined aerodynamics, the car proved to be fastest in the field at Le Mans in 1967, achieving 213 mph on the 3.6-mile Mulsanne Straight.
How fast did the Ford GT40 go at Le Mans?
213 mph
Thanks to its streamlined aerodynamics, the car proved to be fastest in the field at Le Mans in 1967, achieving 213 mph on the 3.6-mile Mulsanne Straight.
What was the fastest lap time at Le Mans 1966?
3 minutes, 30.6 seconds
Hill's record was broken repeatedly with Gurney establishing the quickest lap of 3 minutes, 30.6 seconds. Miles was right behind at 3:31.7. The fastest Ferrari time was 3:33. There were disappointments during the race but things generally went well.
