Shleby collectables

enry Ford II wanted the Ford Motor Company to race at Le Mans from the early 1960s. Winning races promoted car sales, as the racing circuit was followed by the younger crowd of car enthusiasts.

The GT-40 MK I first raced in May 1964 at Nurburging and onto Le Mans, but the cars retired early due to mechanical problems. After a series of unfavorable results, Carroll Shelby was asked to join the program. As an accomplished race car driver, the team manager, Shelby knew how to get results. The Shelby American team made its first entry at the 1965 Daytona 2000, but also had a series of setbacks in 1965. The experience gained from past difficulties enabled the 7.0-liter V-8-powered GT-40 MK II to dominate races in Riverside, Daytona, and Sebring which all lead to the grand finale at the grueling Le Mans 24 hour race in 1966, where the GT-40 swept the podium with a 1-2-3 finish.