Introduction
The rivalry between Ford and Ferrari is one of the most famous stories in automotive history. This epic clash, culminating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1966, wasn’t just a battle between two automakers—it was a battle of pride, engineering excellence, and corporate rivalry. The conflict between Ford and Ferrari, which included the legendary role of driver and engineer Ken Miles, became a turning point in racing history. Ferrari, which had long dominated endurance racing, was dealt a significant blow when Ford’s innovative GT40 took the Le Mans crown. The story of Ford’s triumph over Ferrari is a tale of determination, ingenuity, and speed.
The Origins of the Rivalry
In the early 1960s, Ferrari was the undisputed king of endurance racing, particularly at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ferrari had claimed victory in the grueling race from 1960 to 1965, establishing itself as a powerhouse in motorsports. Meanwhile, Ford, the American automotive giant, was known for producing reliable and mass-market vehicles, with little presence in the world of European sports car racing.
The rivalry between the two brands began not on the track, but in the boardroom. In 1963, Henry Ford II, seeking to boost Ford’s image by associating it with high-performance sports cars, made a bid to buy Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Italian company, initially seemed interested in the deal. However, as negotiations progressed, Ferrari balked at the thought of losing control over his beloved racing team, which was part of the acquisition deal.
At the last minute, Ferrari pulled out of the agreement, citing concerns about Ford’s influence on Ferrari’s motorsports division. Enraged by this sudden turn of events, Henry Ford II vowed to beat Ferrari on the track. He redirected Ford’s resources and launched an ambitious program to develop a car that could defeat Ferrari at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans—the world’s most famous endurance race.
Building the GT40
Ford’s quest to beat Ferrari at Le Mans began with the development of the Ford GT40, a sports car designed specifically to challenge Ferrari. Ford hired a team of top engineers and racing experts, including Carroll Shelby, a former Le Mans winner and renowned American car designer, to lead the project.
Shelby and his team worked tirelessly to refine the GT40, addressing its initial shortcomings in handling, aerodynamics, and durability. The car was powered by a massive 7.0-liter V8 engine, which provided it with the speed needed to challenge Ferrari’s finely tuned machines. However, raw power alone would not be enough to win Le Mans—Ford needed to build a car that could withstand 24 hours of high-speed racing on the demanding French circuit.
Enter Ken Miles, a British-born driver and mechanical genius who became a key figure in Ford’s Le Mans campaign. Miles, a talented engineer and race car driver, played an instrumental role in fine-tuning the GT40. He worked closely with Shelby and the Ford team, pushing the car to its limits and providing crucial feedback that helped improve its performance.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans 1966: A Historic Race
The 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 would go down in history as one of the most iconic races of all time. Ford entered the race with three GT40 cars, while Ferrari, having dominated Le Mans for years, was confident in its chances of extending its winning streak. However, Ford had made significant improvements to the GT40, and with drivers like Ken Miles, they were determined to dethrone Ferrari.
As the race progressed, it became clear that Ford’s strategy and engineering were paying off. Ferrari, which had been plagued by mechanical issues, was unable to keep up with the relentless pace set by the GT40s. Ford’s cars were not only fast, but they were also reliable—able to withstand the 24-hour marathon without succumbing to the mechanical failures that had plagued earlier attempts.
Ken Miles, driving one of the GT40s, put in an exceptional performance, leading the race and showcasing his unparalleled driving skills. As the race neared its conclusion, Ford found itself in a dominant position, with all three of its cars poised to finish ahead of Ferrari.
However, the race did not end without controversy. In an attempt to create a dramatic photo finish, Ford executives instructed Miles and the other two GT40s to slow down and cross the finish line together. This move, intended to demonstrate Ford’s overwhelming superiority, resulted in a technicality that cost Ken Miles the individual victory. The race organizers awarded the win to Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, who were driving another GT40, based on the fact that their car had started further back on the grid.
Despite the controversy, Ford’s 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966 was a stunning achievement. The American automaker had dethroned Ferrari, ending the Italian marque’s dominance of the race. This victory marked the beginning of Ford’s four-year winning streak at Le Mans, as the GT40 went on to win the race from 1966 to 1969.
The Impact on Ferrari
The defeat at Le Mans in 1966 was a devastating blow to Ferrari. For years, Ferrari had been synonymous with victory at Le Mans, and the loss to Ford marked the end of an era. Enzo Ferrari, known for his competitive spirit and pride, was reportedly furious over the outcome. The defeat exposed vulnerabilities in Ferrari’s racing program, particularly in terms of reliability and endurance.
While Ferrari continued to compete in motorsports, the dominance it once enjoyed at Le Mans was never fully regained. Ford’s victory had shifted the balance of power in endurance racing, and Ferrari would not win at Le Mans again until 2023, nearly six decades later.
Ken Miles: The Unsung Hero
Ken Miles, despite being one of the key figures behind Ford’s success, never received the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. His role in developing the GT40 and his performance at Le Mans were pivotal to Ford’s victory, but the controversial finish in 1966 denied him the individual win.
Tragically, Miles died later that year while testing a prototype car for Ford. His contributions to Ford’s Le Mans campaign were immense, and in recent years, his legacy has been revived, particularly through the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari, which brought his story and the Ford vs. Ferrari rivalry to a new audience.
Conclusion
The story of Ford vs. Ferrari is one of ambition, rivalry, and triumph. What began as a business deal gone wrong turned into one of the most famous confrontations in motorsports history. Ford’s determination to defeat Ferrari on the track, combined with the brilliance of engineers like Carroll Shelby and drivers like Ken Miles, resulted in one of the most dramatic moments in racing.
For Ferrari, the 1966 defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, marking the end of its dominance at Le Mans. For Ford, the victory was a statement of American engineering and innovation, proving that it could compete with and conquer the best that Europe had to offer.
The legacy of the Ford vs. Ferrari rivalry lives on today, not just as a chapter in automotive history, but as a testament to the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence.
References
1. A.J. Baime. Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.
2. Brock Yates. Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races. Doubleday, 1991.
3. “Le Mans 1966: The True Story Behind Ford vs Ferrari.” MotorTrend, November 2019.
4. “Ken Miles: The Unsung Hero of Ford’s Le Mans Victory.” Car and Driver, October 2019.
5. “How Ford Won Le Mans and Beat Ferrari at Its Own Game.” Top Gear, June 2016.
Bibliography
– Baime, A.J. Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.
– Yates, Brock. Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races. Doubleday, 1991.
– MotorTrend. “Le Mans 1966: The True Story Behind Ford vs Ferrari.” November 2019.
– Car and Driver. “Ken Miles: The Unsung Hero of Ford’s Le Mans Victory.” October 2019.
– Top Gear. “How Ford Won Le Mans and Beat Ferrari at Its Own Game.” June 2016.
