Review by CoMod Joerg of the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Ford GT40 Mk. II "No.5", 1966 (23762)
1966 was the truly big year for the GT40 MKII, and Ford won the World Championship. But what exactly happened at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the real-life 7-liter V8 prototype of the golden GT40 model was driven by drivers Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum?
This car had little to do with the actual outcome of the race, as it suffered from a faulty clutch and was 12 laps down, but it completed Ford's triple triumph. The real miraculous transformation from water to wine... err... from second to first, was achieved by Henry Ford's team management. He had the two leading cars cross the finish line almost simultaneously, neck and neck. And all for a great publicity photo. This was done, however, in the knowledge that there could be no dead heat (i.e., two cars could be counted as winners). This caused confusion after the checkered flag, as each of the two teams considered themselves the winner. According to the regulations, however, the second team to cross the finish line at the same time was counted as the winner. Both cars had the same average speed, but the car of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon had started at a distance of 20 m from the GT40 with starting number 1, according to its starting number 2, and had therefore completed 360 laps + 20 m in the 24 hours!
That was a bad move, because the runner-up, Ken Miles, could have won all 24-hour races of the 1966 World Championship.
Optics:
I already wrote extensively about the actual model in the article about the new release of the mold. So, here's a brief summary: The car appears true to the original and is detailed. I particularly like the gold paintwork with the pink and red identification markings much better in person than in various online pictures.
Technology:
In the guide keel and pickup area, the modified guide keel with the extended rotation angle is installed in the “old chassis”.
Driving behavior:
The new guide keel significantly improves handling. Tight corners, in particular, are less daunting, as the vehicle is no longer as likely to lock up due to the guide keel. Smooth and fast driving is truly enjoyable with this vehicle.
Until then,
CoMod Joerg
1966 was the truly big year for the GT40 MKII, and Ford won the World Championship. But what exactly happened at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the real-life 7-liter V8 prototype of the golden GT40 model was driven by drivers Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum?
This car had little to do with the actual outcome of the race, as it suffered from a faulty clutch and was 12 laps down, but it completed Ford's triple triumph. The real miraculous transformation from water to wine... err... from second to first, was achieved by Henry Ford's team management. He had the two leading cars cross the finish line almost simultaneously, neck and neck. And all for a great publicity photo. This was done, however, in the knowledge that there could be no dead heat (i.e., two cars could be counted as winners). This caused confusion after the checkered flag, as each of the two teams considered themselves the winner. According to the regulations, however, the second team to cross the finish line at the same time was counted as the winner. Both cars had the same average speed, but the car of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon had started at a distance of 20 m from the GT40 with starting number 1, according to its starting number 2, and had therefore completed 360 laps + 20 m in the 24 hours!
That was a bad move, because the runner-up, Ken Miles, could have won all 24-hour races of the 1966 World Championship.
Optics:
I already wrote extensively about the actual model in the article about the new release of the mold. So, here's a brief summary: The car appears true to the original and is detailed. I particularly like the gold paintwork with the pink and red identification markings much better in person than in various online pictures.
Technology:
In the guide keel and pickup area, the modified guide keel with the extended rotation angle is installed in the “old chassis”.
Driving behavior:
The new guide keel significantly improves handling. Tight corners, in particular, are less daunting, as the vehicle is no longer as likely to lock up due to the guide keel. Smooth and fast driving is truly enjoyable with this vehicle.
Until then,
CoMod Joerg
