Ford offers Gulf livery on 2019 GT

“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, and in honour of the 50th Anniversary of its win, we’re paying fresh tribute to the original with a new heritage limited edition.”

While production will be limited, Ford hasn’t put a cap on numbers and, unusually for a limited production variant, the Heritage Edition will be offered over two model years - 2019 and 2020 - reflecting the two years that GT40 #1075 won at Le Mans. The Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange paint scheme is a close match to the Gulf Powder Blue and Marigold that graced the winning GT40 in 1968 and has adorned dozens of race cars since, as well as thousands of non-official tributes.

An optional carbon-fibre accent package for the interior and exterior features a ‘9’ race number on the bonnet and doors, with a ghosted version of the same on the interior door panels. This reflects the race number that #1075 wore in 1968. That package will be offered on MY19 GT Heritage Editions, while a ‘6’ race number package will be available for MY20 GT Heritage Editions, in tribute to the number that #1075 wore when it won the 1969 Le Mans.

The MY19 GT Heritage Edition also features silver-finished mirror caps, orange brake calipers and unique 20-inch, one-piece forged aluminium wheels finished in “high-gloss dark stainless” with black wheel nuts. Inside, the GT Heritage Edition is swathed in ebony-coloured Alcantara, with contrasting blue and orange stitching on the seats and steering wheel. The seats also feature special embossing on the headrests.

The same high-gloss dark stainless finish on the wheels is added to the instrument panel applique, door bezels and interior cross-brace, while the paddle shifters feature a clear and polished anodised finish. Matte carbon fibre features on the centre console, door sills and air register pods, while each GT Heritage Edition will add a serialised identification plaque on the dash.

Pricing for the Gulf-liveried GT Heritage Edition has not been revealed, but should be around US$500,000. Like all other versions of the modern GT, the Heritage Edition will not be sold in Australia.