AFX has done a fantastic job of capturing the 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV, its lines, appearance and stance. I haven’t even started talking about the liveries! From the first release in 2022, AFX nailed the paint schemes and picked up right where they left off for 2023. Part of what I like writing about AFX’s latest releases has been the history behind the cars. Let’s learn a bit about the two newest cars from AFX and the story behind their liveries.
AFX Cat # 22014 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV (J-6) Yellow/Black #2
As part of their Shelby American entries, the Ford J-6 was assigned to Bruce McLaren and Mark Donohue. The pair clinched the pole for the 1967 Le Mans, dominating the qualifying. J-6 lost time in the pits after the rear body panel blew of the car as it sped down the Mulsanne Straight. McLaren and Donohue finished fourth behind the race winning J-5 driven by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt. Foyt bought the J-6 in 1972. It passed through several owners and in 1990 was restored to its original yellow and black livery wearing number 2 as it appeared at Le Mans, its only race.
AFX Cat #22048 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV (J-8) Black/White #4
The Ford J-8 was the second car entered at the 1967 Le Mans by Holman Moody. The dark blue and white #4 was driven by Lloyd Ruby and Denis Hulme. Hulme set the race lap record for the event at 3:23.6 and the record stood until 1970. The J-8 fell out of the race after 7 hours when Ruby securely planted the car in a sand bank and could not be recovered. Kar-Kraft retained the car until they donated it to the Harrah Collection in Nevada. When the museum closed in 1985, the J-8 was sold to a private collector.
Here’s the packaging for the AFX latest release.
The Ford Mk. IV has a perfect record in racing. It won every race in which it was entered, although just two events, Sebring and Le Mans in 1967. Two Mk. IVs ran at Sebring, while four Mk. IVs (two for Holman-Moody, two for Shelby American) ran at Le Mans. Now is your chance to capture that excitement and competition from 1967 on your race track. These releases from AFX are available in January 2023 from your favorite hobby shop or on-line web store today.