Though the GT40 was aging by 1969, its day wasn't done, as Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver proved by winning Sebring in this small-engined Mark I. Then they did it again at Le Mans, the second victory in a row at the Sarthe for JW Automotive's immortal chassis 1075, and Ford's fourth. Photo: Pete Lyons - www.petelyons.com
Fast Lines

The 40’s 40th

Just after 4:00 pm on the rainy Sunday of June 19, 1966, a trio of squat, massive, 427-engined American coupes splashed by a Frenchman waving a giant, sodden checkered flag, and thereby rumbled into international immortality.

Pete Lyons
Pete Lyons

We mark several towering milestones this year, but one of the tallest is the 40th anniversary of the Ford GT40’s first victory at Le Mans—its first of four.

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Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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