#and chris amon

[christiangeistdorfer]

IVAN CAPELLI at the beginning of the 1987 FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

[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]

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.

[cazzyf1]

Chris Amon

[eliorosb3rg]

oh the things i would do to have been here

[vintagef1]

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

[physicalvocalist]

Excuse me new followers, but have you seen my hat?

Now you have.

[eliotheeangelis]

the grid poses for a group photo | 1968 german grand prix

featuring: bruce mclaren, denny hulme, lucien bianchi, jacky ickx, chris amon, jo bonnier, jean-pierre beltoise, piers courage, jackie oliver, jackie stewart, jochen rindt and graham hill bullying jo siffert

[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 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.”

Photo: Chris Amon driving his Ferrari 312 at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, 20 July 1968.

[bbbrianjones]

this is why i can't show my favs to some of u

[christiangeistdorfer]

JOCHEN RINDT wearing JACKIE STEWART's helmet during the filming of GRAND PRIX, 1966

[a-la-rascasse]

Chris lights himself a cigarette // late 60s

[loveforcharlesleclerc]

[frenchcurious]

Carroll Shelby avec la Ford GT40 Mk II de Phil Hill & Chris Amon du Shelby-American Inc.@ 24 Heures du Mans 1965. - source Moto Vitelloni - Wheels n' wings.

[crownedstoat]

Chris Amon in the Matra MS120B at Monaco