Carroll Shelby was an all American hero. The big Texan won Le Mans, and he created the best Mustang, not to mention the Cobra. But it was his gesture to a couple of Kiwi’s in 1966 which gets my tick.
Shelby was charged with leading Ford’s campaign to dethrone Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and with an all kiwi line-up of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon in the #2 car, Shelby made the call to paint the car black with two silver stripes. It’s not known who decided to add the Silver Fern and NZ on the right hand side, but bravo to them.
Ford’s failed ‘photo-finish’ which still today casts a shadow of controversy over the victory in some quarters, was explained by Amon as a red herring.
"The sign came out to ease, we were about 52 seconds in front. Bruce slowed down four of five seconds a lap, but (Ken) Miles absolutely ignored it."
Based on that, the backfiring photo finish provided some justice to the #2 car. Now, after a lengthy restoration, chassis no. P/1046 will return to Le Mans this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ford 1-2-3 finish.
It will be lauded as an all American celebration – but centre stage will belong to a car painted in New Zealand colours.
Newshub.