In 1966, Ford did the unthinkable, breaking Ferrari's winning streak at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and becoming the first American manufacturer to have won a major European race since the 1921 French Grand Prix. Not merely a win, it was an outright stomping, with Ford clinching all three spots on the podium. The car that did it was as beautiful as it was brutal: the GT40 Mk II, forever immortalized in its vibrant baby blue and orange JW Automotive/Gulf Oil livery.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Ford reprised this landmark car with the GT40 Concept at the 2002 North American International Auto show. Less than two months after the unveiling, the production version was announced, while a pre-production model was shown to the public in 2003 as part of the company’s centenary celebrations in Dearborn, Michigan. Delivery of the full production version began in the fall of 2004. It was to be called, simply, the GT due to issues over naming rights. In the end, the new name was more fitting anyway: The GT40 moniker referenced the original car’s impossibly low height of 40 inches, while the succeeding GT was slightly larger in every dimension.

Though strikingly similar in appearance to the GT40 Mk II, the Ford GT’s state-of-the-art aluminum space frame and bodywork shared nothing with its forebear in terms of construction. Mounted between the cabin and rear axle was an all-aluminum, supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 engine capable of 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Performance was ferocious: 0–60 in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph—in league with far costlier contemporary supercars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and Porsche Carrera GT, and handily outgunning its closest competitor, the Ferrari 360 Modena.

As a sendoff in 2006, Ford added a special limited-edition paint scheme to the GT that recalled the famous JW Automotive/Gulf Oil livery of the Le Mans-winning GT40 Mk II. Officially known as the Heritage Paint Livery Package (68G), the option comprised Heritage Blue Clearcoat with Epic Orange racing stripes on the hood, roof, and decklid, along with white vinyl roundels on the doors, hood, and decklid. Just over 4,000 Ford GTs were built from 2004 to 2006, with demand far outstripping production from the very outset. The Heritage package was available only for the 2006 model and was installed on just 343 cars at a cost of $13,000.

One of these rare and beautiful beasts is offered here. Its original window sticker indicates that the car was delivered new to Wayland Ford in Wayland, Michigan. In addition to the Heritage Paint Livery Package, it was also fitted with the McIntosh high-end audio system, lightweight forged aluminum wheels, and gray painted brake calipers—all incredibly desirable factory options.

Acquired by the consignor in 2012, this highly coveted Ford GT Heritage Edition is now offered with its original window sticker and service invoices from 2019, indicating routine maintenance. It is without question one of the most sought-after examples of the first-generation GT, thanks to its desirable factory options and rare livery celebrating the landmark GT40 Mk II’s historical achievements in motor sport.