1966 - Color

WILLOW SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - 2025

STANDARD
34” x 77” Unframed 49” x 92” Framed Edition of 20

LARGE
45” x 103” Unframed 60” x 118” Framed Edition of 20

“One of the locations for the Oscar winning movie Ford v Ferrari was Willow Springs racetrack, an hour northeast of Hollywood. When we knew we might have the opportunity to film there, I watched the scenes at the racetrack several times and I recognised that for a single image story to be successful, there had to be a definitive sense of place. The mountainous backdrop to the circuit defines it as much the 1950s buildings scattered around the pit area.

In the movie, Matt Damon plays Carroll Shelby enlisted by Ford to try and compete on the racetrack with Ferrari. The film reaches its climax at Le Mans in 1966 where Shelby’s car gets the better of Ferrari. It seemed appropriate therefore to bring a 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 as our principal prop in this period tableau.

But our ambitions were high and our large cast was led by Cindy Crawford who I knew would own her role as a triumphant racer. She always delivers and has such presence in this photograph. It is always validating to work with her and our commitment to our craft is never higher than on these occasions.

Two days before we shot, I found myself sitting near Christian Bale at a West Hollywood restaurant and I remembered how integral he was to the movie. I knew a Texan model who could play to that vibe and my instincts were to quickly drag him in at the last moment. He slipped in the space behind Cindy and I think he elevates the image. It’s the little things.

Motor racing enthusiasts will also see “The King” Richard Petty behind the car on the right. Richard, who won the Daytona 500 seven times, was a joy to have on set and added to the freewheeling joy of the day.

The title of this photograph is fitting as Cindy Crawford and I were both born in 1966. I show my age, but Cindy certainly does not, as this special picture fully showcases.

I would like to thank the team at CrossHarbor Capital Partners, led by Sam Byrne, for facilitating and encouraging this project and for inviting Richard Perry and Jimmie Johnson. But most of all, thank you to Cindy Crawford for being outstanding in her role.
~ David Yarrow