Mollie Miles, the wife of legendary sports car driver and engineer Ken Miles, was shattered by the sudden and tragic death of her husband. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life of Ken Miles and how his death impacted his family, including Mollie and their son Peter.
Ken Miles’ Death in 1966
Ken Miles, born Kenneth Henry Jarvis Miles, was a British-American sports car racing engineer and driver who passed away on August 17, 1966, at the age of 47. As a race car driver, Ken worked with Shelby American in testing and developing the Ford Mk IIs as its primary test driver.
On the day of his death, Ken was testing the Mk IIs at the Riverside International Raceway in Southern California when the car flipped, crashed, and caught fire as it ejected Miles, who died instantly. After his death, Miles was interred at the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
Mollie Miles Today
After the death of her husband Ken Miles, Mollie chose to live a life of seclusion. There is no information on her current whereabouts, and whether or not she is still alive has remained a mystery. Career-wise, Mollie worked as a driver and wrote racing articles for Roads and Tracks, expressing her gratitude to Ken Miles’ fans all over the world who had continued to send her flowers and messages of support after his death.
Ken Miles’ Son Peter Miles
Unlike his mother, Peter did not disappear from the public eye after his father’s death. Instead, he followed in his father’s footsteps and established a career in the automobile industry. Peter worked at the Troutman and Barnes Customer Car shop under his dad’s friend, Troutman, before moving on to Precision Performance Inc. Over the years, Peter Miles has continued to make headways in his career and is believed to have amassed a considerable fortune in skills and wealth.
Today, Peter Miles lives with his wife in Monterey, California, where he works as the executive administrator of an $80 million vintage car collection owned by Williams E Connor II. He has also published a photo book on the life and death of Ken Miles and provided assistance to the crew of the Ford V Ferrari, a documentary on his father’s life and death.
Ken Miles’ Family
Ken Miles and Mollie Miles shared a mutual interest in and love for cars. They had one child together, their son Peter Miles, who was born on September 28, 1950, and is currently 72 years old. Peter followed in his father’s footsteps and built a career in the automobile industry despite the tragedy of his father’s death.
Ken Miles’ death was a devastating experience for his family, including his wife Mollie and their son Peter. While Mollie chose to live a life of seclusion, Peter continued to follow in his father’s footsteps and established a successful career in the automobile industry. Today, Peter Miles lives with his wife in California, continuing his father’s legacy through his work and publications.
In addition to his successful career, Peter Miles has also played a significant role in keeping his father’s legacy alive. He has been featured in various documentaries and movies, including the 2019 film “Ford v Ferrari,” which was based on the story of his father’s racing career. In the movie, Peter was portrayed by actor Noah Jupe.
Peter Miles also wrote a book about his father, titled “Ken Miles: A Hero of Le Mans,” which was released in 2020. The book features rare photos and personal anecdotes from Peter about his father’s life and legacy in the racing world.
Despite his father’s tragic death, Peter Miles has carried on his family’s passion for racing. He has worked as a driver and mechanic, and has even raced in some vintage car events. He also continues to preserve and showcase his father’s vintage cars, including the iconic Ford GT40 that Ken Miles drove to victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona.
In terms of his personal life, Peter Miles is married to Patti Montgomery Miles. The couple has a daughter named Jamie Miles, who is a school teacher. Jamie is also married and has a child of her own.
Conclusion
Ken Miles was a legendary sports car driver and engineer who left behind a lasting legacy in the racing world. Although his life was cut short by a tragic accident, his memory continues to live on through his family, fans, and the numerous films, books, and documentaries that have been made about him.
His wife, Mollie Miles, and their son, Peter Miles, have both played a crucial role in keeping his legacy alive. While Mollie chose to lead a private life after her husband’s death, Peter has followed in his father’s footsteps and established a successful career in the automobile industry.