Amalgam Ford GT40 - 1969 Le Mans Winner 1:18 SCALE

• As raced in 1969 at Le Mans by Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver
• Each model hand-built and assembled by a small team of craftsmen
• 1:18 scale model, over 22 cms/8.8 inches long
• Made using the finest quality materials
• Over 800 hours to develop the model
• Precisely engineered parts: castings, photo-etchings and CNC machined metal components
• Built with the assistance and cooperation of the Ford Archive and Heritage department, and Gulf Oil International
• Officially licensed 24 Hours of Le Mans product

The Ford GT40, born from Henry Ford II’s rivalry with Ferrari, became one of the most iconic racing cars of all time. Developed between 1964-69, the GT40's journey was marked by early instability and mechanical struggles. Despite Ford’s wealth, the company had little racing expertise, so they partnered with British designer Eric Broadley and engineer Roy Lunn to create the car. The first GT40 debuted in April 1964 but suffered early setbacks at Le Mans and other events.

Carroll Shelby’s involvement in 1965, replacing the engine with a 7.0L V8, led to the car’s first win at Daytona. By 1966, the GT40 became a legend, dominating the Le Mans podium with a 1-2-3 finish, marking Ford's first victory there. The GT40 won Le Mans for four consecutive years, crushing Ferrari’s dominance.

This 1:18 scale model replicates the GT40 #1075, driven by Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver, which won Le Mans in 1969. In one of the closest finishes in history, Ickx held off Porsche’s Hans Hermann by just 120 meters after a tense final sprint, securing Ford’s fourth consecutive victory at Le Mans.

Even more impressively, the car that crossed the line victorious was not a new car made for that year. In fact, it was the exact chassis that won Le Mans the previous year in the hands of Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi. Ickx dedicated the team's victory to previous winner Bianchi, who had been killed earlier in the year. Ickx also emerged the victor after starting the race with a one-man protest against the ‘Le Mans start’, after the death of Porsche privateer Willy Mairisse the previous year, by walking to his car and taking his time doing up his belts.

Note: This is a 'Kerbside' model and does not feature any moving parts.