Ford Motor Company is paying homage to its historic Le Mans-winning 1968 GT40 with the new 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition that features the one of the most famous paint schemes in all of motorsports: Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange.
The 1968 Ford GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. It was sponsored by Gulf Oil and was instantly recognizable due to its Heritage Blue and Heritage Orange color scheme, one that the Ford GT will replicate in 2019 to honor the historic vehicle for its 50th anniversary.
The 2019 Ford GT’s tribute doesn’t stop at the racing livery. The supercar also includes a new seat embossment that is inspired by the 1968 Le Mans-winning GT40.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of global operations, said in a statement that the immense success of the 1968 Ford GT40 warrants the 50th anniversary tribute.
“Many view the Gulf Oil paint scheme as the most famous in motorsports,” Hinrichs said. “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.”
The 2019 Ford GT Heritage edition features 20-inch one piece forged aluminum wheels, carbon fiber A-pillars, orange calipers and silver rearview mirror caps. Inside the vehicle, it is marked by Ebony Alcantara-wrapped seats which also have contrasting blue and orange stitching, as does the steering wheel.
Ravi Chawla, the managing director of Gulf Oil India Ltd., heralded the new Ford GT Heritage Edition and reflected back upon the storied, productive relationship between Ford Motor Company and Gulf Oil.
“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,” Chawla said. “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.”
Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, dating back to 1923. It is often referred to as the “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency” and is one portion of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, with the other two being the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix.