Ford closes up GT Heritage Edition specials with homage to the 1964 prototype

As production of the Ford GT nears an end, the Blue Oval has paid homage to the original racers which influenced its conception with a run of Heritage Edition tribute vehicles.

Reflecting the colours of the only surviving original GT prototype – the GT/105 – the Heritage Edition is finished in Wimbledon white and paired with antimatter blue graphics, –including a singular over-the-roof stripe as well as blue wheels.

While it doesn't retain the GT prototype's wire wheels, Ford focused on showing off more of the carbon fibre parts on the Heritage Edition – leaving the front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers and rear diffuser exposed with a gloss finish.

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The white and blue colour theme continues in the cabin, with lightspeed blue Alcantara wrapping the seats and instrument panel, teaming up with Ebony leather on the dash, while the pillars and headliner receive ebony Alcantara.

There's no carbon fibre shortage in the interior either, as it adorns the door sills, lower A-pillars and console – reminding its occupants this is a modern supercar which has conquered Le Mans in racing trim.

Ford's GT program manager, Mike Severson, said paying homage to the original GT racers was important for the history of the nameplate, despite the early cars struggling to find success on track.

“This is the first Ford GT Heritage Edition that goes beyond celebrating race wins – this one goes deep, and honours the earliest of Ford supercar heritage,” said Severson.

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“The Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition is a modern interpretation of the original, with no mistaking what this car is paying tribute to.

“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.

“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.”

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Popularised in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari, the first GTs were designed to beat Ferrari's sportscars at Le Mans, but ultimately suffered reliability issues – leading to the race program moving from the John Wyer-led Ford Advanced Vehicles in the UK to Shelby American, headed up by Carroll Shelby.

Under the control of Shelby's team, and with the help of development driver Ken Miles, the GT40 was crafted into a race winner, taking victory at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967 with Shelby American, before John Wyer operations moved back into Wyer's hands and led to further success at the 1968 and 1969 runnings of the endurance classic.

Reintroduced in 2016 with a twin-turbo V6 engine, the new Ford GT won its class at Le Mans in its debut year, 50 years after Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon took the marque's first win.

The prototype Heritage Edition marks the fourth tribute car Ford has commissioned to honour the original GT – from its first Le Mans win to the second victory in 1967, the ironic Gulf-liveried 1968 and '69 winners and the lesser-known 1966 Daytona 24 Hours winner, as driven by Ken Miles.

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