Le Mans 1966

[nobleswood]

Read an artice in Popular Mechanics about the movie coming out November 15th, 'Ford vs Ferrari'. About the genesis of the Ford GT 40.

Googled it & there's a trailer out 

Looking forward to seeing this one. 

[LowRyter]

I am guessing the movie will be a tearjerker.  I want to see it anyway but I am prepared for that after seeing the previews. 

[cliffrod]

I was pleasantly surprised to see the commercial for  "Ford vs Ferrari" yesterday when I came in for lunch.  Hadn't heard anything about it, but it looks like it will be less gear head than warm fuzzy stuff.  Not surprised but that's still a Bummer....

[wirespokes]

It's one of those stories that shows what big money can do. I love the look of the GT40, but from what I've heard it's a bitch to drive and took some pretty talented drivers to bring it in first.

[nobleswood]

I read that in the first two years the Ford team couldn't overwhelm Ferrari with their ability to just throw money at the race. I'm interested to see if that is covered in the movie or just glossed over...

[nc43bsa]

I love the look of the GT40, but from what I've heard it's a bitch to drive and took some pretty talented drivers to bring it in first.

I read somewhere (I can't find it right now) that at racing speed it had negative downforce on the rear of the body.  In other words, the rear got lighter as the car went faster.

Not a recipe for stability.

[oldbike54]

 Ah , the movie about the relationship between Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles . We talked about this before , seems a pretty good subject to make a movie about . Who plays Eric Broadly ?

 Dusty

[nc43bsa]

per IMDb.com:

Julian Miller    ...    Eric Broadley

[oldbike54]

per IMDb.com:

Julian Miller    ...    Eric Broadley

 Thanks . The GT 40 name really came from the LOLA prototype the GT 40 was developed from , which in fact was only 40 inches high , it was smaller than the Ford with a 260 CI Ford , quick little sports racer .

 Dusty

[nobleswood]

I had thought Bruce McLaren was one of the drivers that clinched the trophy in 1966, but his names not mentioned

[Deno]

I think this is based on the book "the Ferrari Ford Wars" or something similar. I listened to it on Audible. If the movie follows the book it will be full of all our heros in the 60's racing world.

[LowRyter]

I had thought Bruce McLaren was one of the drivers that clinched the trophy in 1966, but his names not mentioned

I'd read how Ford Marketing screwed Miles out if the victory, here's the wiki story:

"The McLaren-Amon and the Miles-Hulme cars were running within seconds of each other as the race neared its end, with the Bucknum-Hutcherson car hanging back as insurance. A decision was made in the Ford pits to have the cars finish side by side in what hopefully would be considered a dead heat. All three cars went over the finish in formation, but any chance for a dead heat disappeared when officials discovered a rule that in case of a tie, the car that had started further down the grid had travelled the farther distance. Since McLaren and Amon had started 60 feet behind Miles and Hulme, they were declared the winners. Both New Zealanders who now reside in England, it was the most important victory yet for the two youngsters. McLaren, who builds his own Formula and sports cars, is 28. Amon 22, is the youngest winner in the history of the event. It was a record shattering performance as the winning car covered more miles (3,009.3) at a faster speed (125.38 mph) than any previous entry. It demonstrated that production engines could compete with racing powerplants and that an American-built car could top Europe's best."[1]

Of course Miles came to tragic end during testing the Mk IV IIRC.  That's why I expect the movie to be a tearjerker.

[LowRyter]

I think this is based on the book "the Ferrari Ford Wars" or something similar. I listened to it on Audible. If the movie follows the book it will be full of all our heros in the 60's racing world.

I saw little bit with Matt Damon on Leno, he said Alex played his father Dan Gurney in the movie.  Don't know about AJ.

[nobleswood]

Lowryter,

That would explain the confusion.
Cheers

[Mr Revhead]

I had thought Bruce McLaren was one of the drivers that clinched the trophy in 1966, but his names not mentioned

Probably wont mention all the testing and development McLaren (the team) did on the whole project for several years. Amon was involved in that too.

[hauto]

looking forward to seeing the movie.Does anyone know if there will be enough race scenes to see it in a theater.

[nobleswood]

I just found the full length documentary 'Cobra Ferrari wars' is on youtube. Which will add some more background.

 

[wirespokes]

Thanks for that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOcYYkHFwvU