The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans produced one of the most discussed finishes in endurance racing history, and the Ford GT40 Mk II No. 2 sits at the centre of it. Spark Model's resin 1:43 replica documents the Shelby American entry that Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon took to the top step of the podium, wearing the light blue and white Ford livery with the number 2 on white roundels.
The GT40 Mk II: Ford's 7.0-Litre Weapon
Developed jointly by Ford Advanced Vehicles and Shelby American, the GT40 Mk II replaced the earlier 4.7-litre unit with a 7.0-litre (427 cu in) Ford V8 producing approximately 485 bhp. The objective was straightforward: defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. The Mk II's enlarged displacement gave it a decisive power advantage over the Ferrari prototypes it faced in June 1966, and the car's low, aerodynamic body — just over four metres in overall length — kept it planted across the Mulsanne Straight at speed.
One Finish Line, Two Stories: The 1966 Le Mans Decision
Ford GT40s finished first, second and third overall in 1966, ending Ferrari's run of six consecutive overall victories. The No. 2 car was declared the winner over the No. 1 car of Ken Miles and Denny Hulme on the basis of starting position: both cars crossed the finish line in a staged dead-heat, but because McLaren had started further back on the grid, he had technically covered marginally more distance. Miles, who had led for most of the race's 24 hours, was relegated to second. That decision has fuelled debate among historians and collectors ever since, making the No. 2 car one of the most layered subjects in Le Mans lore. Chris Amon, widely regarded as one of the sport's finest drivers of the era, never claimed another Le Mans victory despite multiple podium-level performances.
Spark Model in 1:43 Resin
Spark Model produces this Ford GT40 Mk II No. 2 as a 1:43 scale model in resin. Resin construction allows Spark's pattern-makers to hold fine surface and panel detail that die-cast tooling at this scale cannot easily achieve, including the GT40's low roofline, cooling vents and race number placement. The light blue and white Shelby American livery with No. 2 roundels is reproduced as worn at Le Mans in 1966.
In the Display Cabinet: Building the 1966 Le Mans Story
The No. 2 car pairs naturally with the Spark companion piece representing the Ford GT40 Mk II No. 1 of Ken Miles and Denny Hulme, which finished second in the same race — together they recreate the famous dead-heat finish that has defined the 1966 narrative. Adding the No. 5 GT40 Mk II of Bucknum and Hutcherson completes the podium sweep. For collectors following Bruce McLaren's career beyond Le Mans, or those building around the broader Ford versus Ferrari rivalry immortalised in the 2019 film, this 1:43 resin model is a cornerstone piece.
