Ford GT40 Mk II 'X-1' Roadster(diecast 1:18, Exoto Racing Legends)

Racing results, appearances and notable drivers

The Ford GT40 Mk II X-1 Roadster scored one of its key results at the 12‑hour Sebring race in 1966. Raced by Shelby American, the car won with drivers Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby — a result that proved the Mk‑II drivetrain’s durability and the brakes’ endurance. That same year the Mk‑II generation played a major role in Ford’s historic Le Mans 1‑2‑3 victory, with drivers like Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon taking overall honors. Drivers such as Denny Hulme and Ken Miles also stood on the podium at Le Mans that season. The GT40 Mk II X-1 Roadster itself campaigned mainly as an open prototype on North American endurance events and doubled as a testbed for aero and tire work — including collaborations with Goodyear.

Other famous names in the program included Dan Gurney, Pedro Rodríguez and Richie Ginther. The 1966 season showed that the combo of a 7‑liter engine, a strong gearbox and efficient cooling gave Ford the edge over European rivals. The GT40 Mk II X-1 Roadster followed a different aero approach from the coupes but gave teams easier access to the mechanics and better visibility for drivers. Mk‑II hardware was later used in follow‑on developments, while Mirage prototypes also borrowed the GT chassis. The successes of the GT40 Mk II X-1 Roadster are tightly linked to Ford’s overall program that beat Ferrari and reshaped endurance racing in both North America and Europe.

Paint, visible details and how the model is executed

The model shown in 1/18 scale by Exoto Racing Legends wears a dark blue paint with a pair of narrow white double stripes running down the center over the nose, cockpit and tail. A white GT side stripe with a “FORD” script runs along the flank. The front has the teardrop‑shaped headlight lenses, secured hood fasteners and that characteristic air‑flowing snout. The flanks feature recessed radiator inlets and the bulging fender edges behind the doors are well defined. The wheels are multi‑piece, with dark centers and polished rims; the three‑wing center nuts stick out slightly. The tires carry the Goodyear name in white, matching period photos. In the cockpit you’ll notice the low windscreen frame with finely modelled rivets and the simple rollover protection behind the seats. The rear, with its short fin and engine cover, follows the roadster spec. The proportions feel right and show how incredibly low the real car was — the actual vehicle was only about 1 meter (3.28 feet / 39.37 inches) tall. For collectors: the parts are neatly fitted, the white stripes run clean and the clear lenses are free of visible flaws. The diecast replica is a solid display piece for a shelf or for subtle weathering work. As part of Exoto Racing Legends’s line it clearly references the real car without unnecessary extras, giving collectors like “Phat‑T” a faithful representation of the Ford GT40 Mk II X-1 Roadster in 1/18 scale that captures its historic tech and racing look.