The 1966 Ford-Ferrari battle at Le Mans can be seen on the big screen. Mose Nowland was there, building engines for GT40s, in 1966 – and again in 1967 when Ford won a repeat victory. Today he’s a dedicated volunteer in our Conservation Department. In this video, he shares his memories of one of racing's greatest rivalries.

The Ford Mark IV was built to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, it accomplished that goal in 1967, beating the second-place Ferrari by 32 miles at a record-breaking average speed of 135.48 miles per hour. The Mark IV combined a sophisticated chassis with a big engine based on Ford's V-8 for stock car racing.

The 1967 win was unlike any other. The Mark IV was built in Michigan. Carroll Shelby’s racing team was based in Los Angeles. A.J. Foyt hailed from Texas, while Dan Gurney called California home. An American car, from an American team, piloted by American drivers -- it added up to an all-American victory in Europe’s most prestigious endurance race.