“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.
