FORD GT PAYS HOMAGE TO ITS ORIGINS WITH LIMITED-RUN HERITAGE EDITION CELEBRATING 1964 PROTOTYPES
08/16/2021
Ford
As a tribute to the Ford GT supercar, the prototype vehicle that gave life to the program more than a half-century ago, Ford is introducing the 2022 Ford GT '64 Prototype Heritage Edition. The limited-edition vehicle is inspired by the 1964 Ford GT prototype that debuted at the New York International Auto Show on April 3, 1964 and went on to become America's only Le Mans-winning supercar.
"This is the first Ford GT Heritage Edition that goes beyond celebrating race wins - this one goes deep, and honors the earliest of Ford supercar heritage," said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager. "The Ford GT '64 Prototype Heritage Edition is a modern interpretation of the original, with no mistaking what this car is paying tribute to."
The Ford GT '64 Prototype Heritage Edition is sharing the spotlight at Monterey Car Week, with the only remaining 1964 Ford GT prototype, GT/105, still wearing the original livery.
Limited-edition run honoring the five original GT prototypes
The Ford GT '64 Prototype Heritage Edition supercar wears Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics, including an over-the-roof triple racing stripe. Exposed carbon fiber components are prominent, including 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbon fiber wheels, a touch unique to Ford GT, as well as an exposed carbon fiber front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers and rear diffuser finished in gloss. Brembo(R) brake calipers lacquered in silver with black graphics, plus black lug nuts further modernize the aesthetic.
Carbon fiber carries into the cabin as well, with carbon fiber door sills, lower A-pillars and console, along with matte carbon fiber registers. Lightspeed Blue Alcantara(R)-wrapped carbon fiber seats feature silver stitching, while seating surfaces and head restraints are embossed with the GT logo. The instrument panel is wrapped in Ebony leather and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, while pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony Alcantara. Antimatter Blue appliques on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace are coordinated with the unique wheels. The steering wheel is finished in Ebony Alcantara with black stitching, while dual-clutch paddle shifters are clear and polished.
"There are a lot of milestone moments in the history of Ford GT that we've celebrated, but the team was unanimous in believing the original prototype was the right vehicle this time around," Severson said. "That 1964 prototype unleashed the creative genius of the Ford Advanced Vehicles team and paved the way for the Ford GT program. It put all of this in motion."
Original Ford GT prototypes underscore ingenuity and speed
With the objective of beating Ferrari(R) and winning Le Mans, Ford began development of its own race car in 1963, and less than a year later, the Ford GT prototype (chassis GT/101) was revealed at the 1964 New York International Auto Show.
Five GT prototypes were built - the first Ford models to use deep aerodynamic analysis to optimize high-speed performance. These are some of the most significant cars produced by Ford, marking the foundation for the GT program that culminated in the company's 1-2-3 sweep at Le Mans in 1966. The cars symbolize the groundbreaking engineering that continues at Ford with the 2022 Ford GT Heritage Edition.
Of the five Ford GT prototypes built, chassis GT/105 is the only one to survive and wear the period-correct livery.
Chassis GT/101 and GT/102 were scrapped after Le Mans and Monza crash testing, but that testing was critical in making significant improvements to GT/103, GT/104 and GT/105. Marking the first GT victory, GT/103 won at Daytona(R) in 1965 with Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby behind the wheel, while GT/104 placed third with Bob Bondurant and Ritchie Ginther. Both GT/103 and GT/104 have been repainted and are exclusive displays at the Shelby(R) Museum in Boulder, Colorado.
Building on the Heritage Edition series
The Ford GT Heritage Edition series has celebrated landmark moments, and of course Le Mans-winning titles. To date, the new 2022 Ford GT '64 Heritage Edition marks the sixth in the ultra-limited-production series. These include:
2021 Ford GT '66 Daytona Heritage Edition
Honoring the Ford GT MK II No. 98 race car
In production
2020 Ford GT '69 Gulf Livery Heritage Edition
Honoring the Ford GT40 MK I No. 6 race car that was victorious at 1969 Le Mans
Only 50 built
2019 Ford GT '68 Gulf Livery Heritage Edition
Honoring Ford GT40 MK I No. 9 race car that was victorious at 1968 Le Mans
Only 50 built
2018 Ford GT '67 Heritage Edition
Honoring Ford GT40 MK IV No. 1 race car that was victorious at Le Mans in 1967
Only 39 built
2017 Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition
Honoring Ford GT40 MK II No. 2 that Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon drove at 1966 Le Mans
Only 27 built
2006 Ford GT Gulf Livery Heritage Edition
Commemorating GT40's back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans titles in 1968 and 1969
Only 343 built
The 2022 Ford GT is available to order for approved Ford GT customers. Production is scheduled to begin in January. Click here for more information.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company's Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles: Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 182,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.