#Chris Amon

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

FORD GT40

The Ford GT40 is a legendary car born out of a grudge, fueled by ambition, and ultimately crowned with victory on the world's most prestigious racing circuits. Its story begins in the early 1960s when Henry Ford II, commonly known as "Hank the Deuce," sought to challenge the dominance of European manufacturers in endurance racing, particularly at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1963, Ford attempted to buy Ferrari, which was then the dominant force in endurance racing, having won Le Mans multiple times. However, the negotiations soured, and Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Italian marque, walked away from the deal at the last minute, leaving Henry Ford II furious.

Determined to beat Ferrari at its own game, Ford set out to build a car that could dethrone the Italian racing giant. He tasked his engineers with creating a car that could win Le Mans, a feat no American manufacturer had accomplished at that time.

The result was the Ford GT40, a sleek and powerful racing machine designed to take on the best Europe had to offer. The GT40's name was derived from its height, standing at only 40 inches tall. It featured a lightweight chassis, advanced aerodynamics, and a powerful V8 engine.

The GT40 made its debut at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, but mechanical issues plagued the team, preventing them from finishing the race. Undeterred, Ford continued to refine the car, and in 1966, their efforts paid off.

That year, Ford entered a fleet of GT40s at Le Mans, with drivers like Bruce McLaren, Ken Miles, and Chris Amon behind the wheel. The race was a fierce battle between Ford and Ferrari, with both teams pushing their cars to the limit.

In the final hours of the race, Ford emerged victorious, securing a 1-2-3 finish with the GT40 taking the top three spots. It was a historic moment for American motorsport and a symbolic triumph over Ferrari.

The GT40 went on to win Le Mans for the next three years, cementing its place in automotive history as one of the greatest racing cars of all time. Its legacy continues to inspire car enthusiasts and racing aficionados to this day, a testament to the vision and determination of Henry Ford II and his team.

[bluesourkiwi]

GPDA Meeting, 1969 South African GP

[frenchcurious]

Chris Amon (Scuderia Ferrari - Ferrari 312-67 #0003) Grand Prix de Monaco 1967. © David Phipps - Motorsport. - source Carros e Pilotos.

[christiangeistdorfer]

CHRIS AMON, JACKIE STEWART & JACKY ICKX joking around during the 1968 FRENCH GRAND PRIX

[eliorosb3rg]

chris amon and jackie stewart, italian gp 1966

[vintagef1]

"We've had so many great memories at Zandvoort throughout the years! 😊" - august 20, 2024 📷 @.f1 / instagram

[cazzyf1]

Chris Amon

[a-la-rascasse]

Chris lights himself a cigarette // late 60s

[loveforcharlesleclerc]

[crownedstoat]

Chris Amon in the Matra MS120B at Monaco

[blackswaneuroparedux]

If he became an undertaker, people would stop dying.

F1 World Champion Mario Andretti on Chris Amon

Christopher Arthur Amon MBE (1943-2016) was a brilliant New Zealand motor racing driver. He was active in Formula One racing in the 1960s and 1970s, and is widely regarded as one of the best F1 drivers never to win a championship Grand Prix. His reputation for bad luck was such that former Ferrari Technical Director Mauro Forghieri stated that Amon was "by far the best test driver I have ever worked with. He had all the qualities to be a World Champion but bad luck just wouldn't let him be.”

Chris Amon shows how to slide a Ferrari on a wet track at the Canadian GP in 1967 - current Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc, should take notes.

[klemcoll]

A Ferrari at Druids

We think that this is a superb photo, probably taken during practice for the Brands Hatch 1000 Km. race (sometimes also referred to as the BOAC 1000) which took place on April 12, 1970. The car is a Ferrari 512S shown braking for Druids Corner at the top of the hill which is about a half mile after the Brands Hatch start/finish line. Behind the Ferrari is the downhill right hand sweeper called…

[motorsportsminiatures]

[frenchcurious]

Bruce McLaren & Chris Amon - Shelby American Inc. - Ford GT40 Mk II #1046 - les Vainqueurs des 24 Heures du Mans 1966. © François Bruère. - source Carros e Pilotos.

[christiangeistdorfer]

various drivers at the 1970 INTERNATIONAL TROPHY RACE

CHRIS AMON, BRUCE MCLAREN, JOCHEN RINDT, GRAHAM HILL & JACK BRABHAM

[eliorosb3rg]

chris amon, the 1967 french gp