V-8, 7698cc,
Ford GT Mark 2
The 1966 the Mark 2 is Kar Krafts , a division of Ford Motor company, re-engineered GT40 under the direction of Roy Lunn chief engineer. Ford started by putting the works cars out to 3 accomplished teams and asked ACO to enter 13 cars - the ACO politely explained they would accept all cars entered on a fair basis as they had always done in their long history.
in the end the works team have entered 8 cars 3 entered by Carol Shelby winner for Fords of the GT Championship the AC Cobras
3 entered by Holmann and Moody a successful NASCAR team from America
and 2 entered by Alan Mann a British team responsible for developing the Ford racing cars from the UK
Because the all up weight of the car was 2800 plus driver
the first requirement of Shelby was to reduce the the weight of the 7 litre NASCAR based engine. which was 602lbs in NASCAR trim and 550 as used at Le Mans. The carburation decided upon was a 4 barrel Holy producing 485 bhp revs limited to 6200 for the race although capable of over 7000.
the gearbox was a major reason for early failures so Kar Kraft built their own
again with the heavy weight of the 7 litre car causing problems with the suspension it was decided to refine it rather than change it. the braking of the mark 2 has been improved but not solved - it is the cars main weakness and all the drivers have been asked to take care.
The rear body work has been redesigned in a wind tunnel and arrived at Le Mans working perfectly only the rear tab is movable 1.5 to 3 inches depending on driver preference the front is the same as the gt40 but slightly raised to allow more suspension travel for the front wheels.
Le Mans Entry: 1966
ALAN MANN #7, #8
HOLMANN & MOODY #4, #6, #5
SHELBY #3, #1, #2