Yes. Ken Miles, who is portrayed by Christian Bale in the film, died two months after the 1966 Le Mans. He was killed during a freak accident while test driving the Ford J-car, which was to be the successor to the Ford GT40 Mk II.
Is Ford vs Ferrari ending true?
Though, admittedly, it is fitting as the conclusion of a story that’s all about corporate meddling. The real life Le Mans ’66 ended with a historic finish: Ford trounced the frontrunner Ferrari as all three Ford cars crossed the finish line in a dead heat.
Did Ken Miles actually win Le Mans?
British-born Ken Miles was a gifted race car engineer and driver. Through his work for Carroll Shelby, Miles got involved in Ford’s GT racing program. 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.
Did Shelby really take Ford for a ride?
No. Carroll Shelby never bet Henry Ford II his entire business so that Ken Miles could drive at Le Mans. Ford’s right hand Leo Beebe (portrayed by Josh Lucas) did object to risks that Ken Miles took on the track, but the tension between Shelby and Beebe in the movie is significantly dramatized.
Is Ferrari or Ford accurate? – Related Questions
How many GT40 are left?
Of the five initial GT40 prototypes, only three remain today, and the other two are currently in the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas.
Who owns the GT40 that Ken Miles drove?
The Ford GT40 that Ken Miles originally drove in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is currently on display at the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the model driven by winners Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren is owned by Rob Kauffman—a private collector that owns RK Motors in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Was Carroll Shelby there when Ken Miles died?
August 17, 1966
Ken Miles / Date of death
How much money did Carroll Shelby make?
Shelby’s story, you can probably piece together that with his personal success came a great deal of wealth. When he died in 2012, Shelby had a net worth of around $40 million, and a small chunk of that wealth went into a 23 car collection.
When did Shelby join Ford?
He began his involvement with Ford Motor Company in 1962 by installing Ford 260/289 V-8 engine in British sports car called the AC that Shelby renamed the Cobra. Shelby’s Ford-powered car went on to win the FIA Manufacturers Grand Touring World Championship in 1965 – the only American car company to ever do so.
Does Ford compete in Le Mans?
Ford Mustang Headed Back to Le Mans – This Time, with the All-New Seventh-Generation. DETROIT, Sept. 14, 2022 – The Ford Mustang, fresh off its seventh generation unveiling, will soon return to Le Mans.
Did Chevy ever win Le Mans?
In 2005, Corvette C6. R won the American Le Mans Series championship during its first season.
How much is the GT40 that won Le Mans worth?
Ford v Ferrari left many gearheads with an insatiable desire to experience the all-American power that Christian Bale’s Ken Miles felt during his legendary run at 24 Hours of Le Mans. One wealthy buyer gets to do just that after buying the final, street-legal version the Ford GT40 for a whopping $3.5 million.
How much is a 1966 Ford GT40 worth?
Ford GT’s are known to be pretty expensive when they hit the market. Seeing as it won so many titles and has an immense history, you won’t be shocked to find out that they sell for just shy of $10 million.
What is the most expensive car ever sold?
What is the most expensive car ever sold? The most expensive car ever sold is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which sold for $143 million in 2022.
What is the fastest Ford?
The 2022 Ford Mustang GT500 is one of the most exhilarating muscle cars on the road today, and it’s easy to see why. It boasts a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that doles out 760 hp and 625 lb. -ft of torque, making it the most powerful street-legal production car Ford has ever built.
Was the GT40 ever sold to public?
Ford GT40s at Public Auction
The highest price ever paid for a Ford at public auction was $11 million for a 1968 Ford GT40 Lightweight at the RM Monterey 2012 sale.
What does GT40 stand for?
The GT stands for Grand Touring, and the 40 refers to its overall height in inches. It was produced from 1964-1969, and has since become an American racing icon. In the early 1960s, Henry Ford II is jonesing for a Ford at Le Mans (France), the world’s most famous race.
Is the Ford GT40 street legal?
The GT40 was designed exclusively as a race car, but some examples were built in road-legal spec. This green-painted unit is one of them, and it looks like it just left Carroll Shelby’s shop back in 1966.
How much is a 1967 Ford GT40 worth?
Vehicle Valuation Analysis
| Bodystyles |
Median Sale |
| Coupe |
$528,000 |
| Coupe |
$3,520,000 |
How much is a Superformance GT40 mk1?
Pricing on the Superformance GT40 cars starts at $125,000, minus such parts as the engine and transaxle and installation. The average cost for a completed GT40 MKI is $180,000 and runs as high as $300,000 for special editions such as the 50th Anniversary Gulf Heritage GT40 P1075 Toolroom copy.