Ford is celebrating its legendary beginnings—the 1964 Ford GT prototypes that led to the creation of America’s only Le Mans-winning supercar that set historical wins from 1966 to 1969, and in 2016.
This prototype paved the way for the Ford GT program, and unleashed the creative genius of the Ford Advanced Vehicles team. As a tribute to the GT supercar, Ford has recently launched the 2022 GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition that honors the earliest supercar heritage, going beyond celebrating race wins.
Ford GT program manager Mike Severson said that the team was united in believing the original prototype was the perfect vehicle to put on the spotlight this time. It stirred the motion for the GT program.
With a modern interpretation of the original, there is no mistake what the car is paying homage to. Dressed in Wimbledon White paint, Antimatter Blue graphics, and a triple racing stripe over the roof, the exterior is extremely striking. The Heritage Edition model also receives exposed carbon fiber features, mirror stalks, side sills, front splitter, engine louvers and rear diffuser in gloss finish, and 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbon fiber wheels. Further modernizing the aesthetic are Brembo brake calipers coated in silver with black graphics, and black lug nuts.
A Glimpse at the Original Ford GT Prototypes
Ford began the development of its own race car in 1963 with the objective of winning Le Mans and beating Ferrari. In less than a year, the company revealed the Ford GT prototype (chassis GT/101) at the New York International Auto Show in 1964.
Deep aerodynamics analysis was used in building the first GT prototypes, optimizing high-speed performance. These are some of the most significant cars created by Ford that sparked groundbreaking engineering continuing to date. Chassis GT/105 is the lone prototype to survive and wear the period-correct livery. Meanwhile, after Le Mans and Monza crash testing, Chassis GT/101 and GT/102 were scrapped—but this testing was vital in making significant advances to GT/103, GT/104, and GT/105.
In 1965, GT/103 marked the first GT win at Daytona with Lloyd Ruby and Ken Miles behind the wheels, while tandem Bob Bondurant and Ritchie Ginther placed third with the GT/104. Both models have been repainted, and are currently on exclusive displays at the Shelby Museum in Colorado.
Marking the sixth in the ultra-limited-production series, the new 2022 Ford GT ’64 Heritage Edition can now be ordered by approved Ford GT customers. Production will start in January next year.