NEW 2019 FORD GT HERITAGE EDITION HONORS MOST FAMOUS PAINT SCHEME IN MOTORSPORTS

•New 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition celebrates 50th anniversary of the 1968 and 1969 Le Mans-winning GT40 with limited-edition Gulf Oil tribute racing livery – auto racing's most famous paint scheme

•Unique Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange paint scheme led to other similarly painted cars across many race series globally over the past half-century

•Interior of new 2019 Ford GT features exclusive colors, materials and appointments, including a seat pattern reminiscent of the 1968 GT40 Le Mans winner's

•Ford GT Heritage Edition will have a unique two-year run, with optional exposed carbon fiber accents featuring No. 9 graphics for 2019 and No. 6 graphics for 2020

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 24, 2018 – The new 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition honors the legendary American Gulf Oil-sponsored Ford GT40 by featuring the most famous paint scheme in motorsports – plus a set of additional exclusive touches.

'Many view the Gulf Oil paint scheme as the most famous in motorsports,' said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, global operations. 'The 1968 GT40 quickly became a global sensation after beating its European competitors on the track four times in a row, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of its win, we're paying fresh tribute to the original with a new heritage limited edition.'

Known among racing enthusiasts as chassis No. 1075, the 1968 GT was one of just a few individual cars to achieve repeat victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For the first time, an optional package provides exposed carbon fiber accents for both the interior and exterior of the Ford GT Heritage Edition. For 2019, the package features the No. 9 graphics on the hood and doors, as well as a ghosted image on the interior door panels. For 2020, No. 6 honors the same car that went on to win Le Mans in 1969 with a different number.

The Heritage Edition features exposed carbon fiber A-pillars and sports unique 20-inch one-piece forged aluminum wheels in high-gloss dark stainless with black lug nuts. Orange calipers and silver rearview mirror caps complete the look.

Ebony Alcantara wraps the seats, instrument panel, pillars, headliner and steering wheel. Contrasting blue and orange stitching accentuates the seats and steering wheel, with a new seat embossment inspired by the original 1968 Le Mans-winning car as well as clear and polished anodized paddle shifters.

High-gloss dark stainless appliqués accent the instrument panel, door register bezels and x-brace to round out the interior.

Much like previous heritage models, the Ford GT Heritage Edition features a unique serialized identification plate, plus exposed matte carbon fiber door sills, air register pods and center console.

'We are delighted to partner with Ford to help the Gulf-themed Heritage Edition Ford GT become reality. The Ford Marque has played a major role in creating Gulf's place in motoring and motorsporting legend and the same is true in reverse,' enthused MD of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, Ravi Chawla. 'Every Gulf outright victory at Le Mans has been Ford-powered and of course Gulf Ford GT40s took the latter two wins of Ford's four consecutive victories at Le Mans from 1966-1969. What could be more fitting than both brands coming together to produce this fantastic motor car – the modern spiritual successor to the amazing Gulf-Ford GT40s that took Le Mans and World Championship honours.'

by Ford

Coupe
Chassis number: 2FAGP9CW3KH200230

The first generation of the Ford GT was produced from 2003 to 2006, and the second generation from 2016 to 2022. Both recalled the company's historically significant GT40, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on four occasions (1966 to 1969), including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966. The first generation GT was a worthy successor to the Le Man- winning GT40, and the second generation boosted the bar even further, as it was an actual Le Mans car for the road, developed with the objective of winning the famed 24 hour endurance race.

The second-generation GT, Ford's latest supercar, utilized a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, an aerodynamically efficient carbon-fiber body, and a twin-turbocharged 647 horsepower Ecoboost engine. Chip Ganassi Racing-entered models clinched first and third in class at Le Mans, coincidentally marking half a century since the original GT40's historic victory. This accomplishment spurred massive interest from collectors around the world, and nearly 6,500 applications were submitted for the pleasure of owning one of the 1,350 examples built before production concluded at the end of 2022.

Ford's Concierge Service tailored the vehicles to the requests and wishes of the new owners, adding personalized selections from an array of options, paints, and interiors. Among them was the limited-production Heritage Editions that offered paint schemes inspired by the most famous successful competition GT40s of the 1960s. The Heritage Edition became available to buyers in 2019.

Finished in Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange, the '68 Heritage Edition livery paid homage to the Gulf Oil-sponsored GT40 number 1075. Heritage cars received orange brake calipers, exposed carbon fiber A-pillars, silver rear-view mirror caps, and unique 20-inch one-piece forged aluminum wheels finished in a high-gloss dark stainless finish with black lug nuts. The interior was given Ebony Alcantara with stitching in contrasting blue and orange thread. High-gloss dark stainless appliques mirrored the wheel finish, and carbon fiber elements were applied to the doors sills and register pods.

The Heritage edition was exclusive with a mere fifty examples produced for 2019.

This particular example was delivered to a collector in the GT's home state of Michigan. It wore a Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange paint scheme with '68 Heritage roundel graphic package. It was further fitted with optional six-point racing harness anchors, titanium lug nuts, and titanium Akrapovič exhaust system.

Upon being delivered through Village Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, this vehicle was promptly protected with a professionally installed full-vehicle XPEL clear bra. Currently, this time capsule has 58 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan