Ken Miles’s son Peter worked for custom and fabrication shops before becoming the crew chief for Ivan Stewart’s desert racing Toyota truck.
Kenneth Henry Jarvis Miles was an English sports car racing engineer and driver best known for his motorsport career in the U.S. and with American teams on the international scene.
Miles raced Bugattis, Alfa Romeos, and Alvises with the Vintage Sports Car Club.
He moved from England to the United States in 1952 and settled in Los Angeles as a service manager for Gough Industries.
Due to his great skill and talent, both as a driver and mechanical engineer, Ken became a significant member of the Shelby/Cobra race team in the early 1960s.
Tragically, at the age of 47, Ken lost his life on August 17, 1966, while testing the new Ford J-Car at California’s Riverside International Raceway.
Peter Miles Followed His Father’s Footsteps And Contributed To Filming Of Ken’s Documentary “Ford Vs Ferrari”
Peter Miles, 76, the son of legendary race car driver Ken Miles, is involved in the automotive world but did not pursue a professional career in racing like his father.
After Ken’s tragic passing in 1966, his 15-year-old son Peter carried on his passion for cars.
He served as a mechanic and became an executive at Kar Kraft, a company involved in Ford’s racing program.
#ThowbackThursday
— Gordon Mettam (@GordonMercedes9) December 28, 2022
Peter Miles. Look familiar? Son of Ken Miles, here with Henri Pescarolo and with Kens' Grandaughter 🏁 pic.twitter.com/ovXxT9bMYl
Over the years, he has shared stories about his father and contributed to projects that honor Ken Miles’ legacy, including appearances in documentaries and events related to Ford’s racing history.
In 2019, he contributed by helping film his father’s documentary, “Ford Vs Ferrari.” He consulted with actor Christian Bale, who played Ken in the movie.
Peter gave Christian information about his father from press clippings and magazine articles. He also showed him some personal photos and shared audio recordings.
He also met Caitriona Balfe, who played Peter’s mother. He gave snapshots of his mother and described her as best he could.
Miles also attended the “Ford Vs Ferrari” premiere and a private screening with Christian Bale.
However, the movie does not include what happened to Peter after his father Ken’s death.
He considered keeping his father’s legacy alive and started working in the automotive industry.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ken Mile was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2001 and the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2020.
- In 1965, Ken shared a Ford GT MK II with Bruce McLaren at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but retired with gearbox trouble. Earlier in the year, with McLaren, he finished second at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
- While in the military, Ken served in North West as a tank commander, and the experience is said to have fuelled a new love in Miles for high-performance engineering.
- Actor Noah Jupe portrayed the role of Peter Miles in the documentary movie, “Ford vs Ferrari.”
