After its infamous failed bid to take over Ferrari, the Ford Motor Company, under personal direction from Henry Ford II, resolved to humble founder Enzo Ferrari in the crucible of endurance motorsports, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford proceeded to assemble the world’s best drivers and automotive engineers to build, using any means necessary, a racing machine capable of dethroning the world-renowned Italian company.

The resulting GT40 program would propel Ford to dominant, humiliating victories over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969. The GT40 also kept Ferrari from the winners’ circle at Kyalami in 1967 and 1968, at Sebring in 1966, 1967 and 1969, as well as Daytona in 1965 and 1966—where Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby famously completed a stunning defense of the GT40 Program’s inaugural victory.

THE GT RECLAIMS LE MANS

Debuting at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, 50 years after the GT40 first won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford unveiled the new GT—a long-awaited, roadgoing follow-up to their most famous creation.

Just 17 months following this debut, the model had already won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In second place? Ferrari. With their new GT, Ford proved that they could still produce a world-beating, mid-engine supercar using cutting-edge design, engineering, and construction.

A strong emphasis on low weight and aerodynamic efficiency dictated the GT’s futuristic bodywork, with flying buttresses that ingeniously channel air to mechanical components while maximizing downforce. An adaptive suspension can lower the ride height by a full two inches, while the self-adjusting rear spoiler raises itself to improve aerodynamics. In a remarkable exhibition of both the model’s racing pedigree and Ford’s efficient design capabilities, the GT utilizes a fixed driver’s seat with adjustable pedal box and steering wheel—a configuration almost exclusively reserved for endurance racing cars which share multiple drivers over the course of the same event.

The GT is powered by a 660-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine paired to a seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain permits a sprint past 60 mph from standstill in less than three seconds, and a top speed of 216 mph. Anchored by Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers and huge 15.5-inch rotors up front, the GT also employs hydraulic power steering, making for a supercar which provides immediate feedback to the driver.

Demand for Ford’s newest supercar was insatiable from the outset. Ford implemented a rigid application process for the privilege of buying one, handpicking loyal Ford enthusiasts and mandating that they keep their cars for an extended period. Applications quickly outnumbered available chassis allotments by nearly tenfold at the model’s official launch. Ford slated only 1,350 GT examples through the 2022 model year, with production handled by Multimatic of Markham, Ontario, Canada. Thus, the current GT is far rarer than the previous, with nearly 2,700 fewer examples scheduled than the 2005–2006 GT model. On account of this very limited production run, many Ford VIPs were still left without GT allocations; this is no more apparent than with limited edition GT sub-models like the 2019 “Interim” Lightweight, 2020 Carbon Series, or the always sought-after Heritage Edition GTs.

THE 1966 DAYTONA HERITAGE GT

This 2021 Ford GT is one an exclusive 50 examples built in the Daytona 1966 Heritage Edition configuration to commemorate the #98 GT40 Mk II race car (chassis P/1015) of Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby, which won the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona. Miles’ and Ruby’s triumph was especially notable for the GT40 program, as it represented the model’s first victory in a 24-Hour race, as well as its first defense of a previous victory; in 1965, Miles and Ruby had led a trio of GT40s to a 1-2-3 sweep at Daytona, which was then still run as a three-hour race.

Like the Miles/Ruby GT40 Mk II to which its design pays extensive homage, this special GT is finished in a stunning Frozen White base coat garnished with contrasting, asymmetrical Race Red elements which feature significantly upon the front fascia, roof, rear wing, and doors. A set of prominent #98 roundels and light alloy wheels complete the 2021 Heritage Edition GT’s striking and especially exclusive composition.

This example was special-ordered by the consignor and further specified with additional Heritage Edition extras including the gloss carbon fiber exterior trim package, six-point harness anchors, Race Red brake calipers, Heritage steering wheel, titanium tow hook, Heritage Gold wheels, and carbon fiber mirror caps. An accompanying window sticker shows that this superb suite of complementary equipment brought this car’s original MSRP to $995,300. This exceptional GT is notably the first of only three 2021 Heritage Edition examples delivered new to Canada, and it is said to be the only one of those three which was specified with gold wheels and red calipers.

On par with its exterior treatment, the interior of this Heritage Edition GT features generous appointments of Alcantara trim—prized in motorsports for its light weight and grippy texture. The fixed-position seats are wrapped in red Alcantara and fronted by an F1-inspired steering wheel, likewise wrapped in Alcantara. The car’s minimalist digital instrument cluster continues the racing them and is juxtaposed by matte carbon-fiber trim and a stalkless steering column with anodized red aluminum shift paddles.

Now showing fewer than 785 kilometers (~488 miles) from new at time of cataloguing, this scarcely used “as-delivered” 2021 Heritage Edition GT is accompanied by its manuals, window sticker, a serialized indoor car cover, Ford Performance GT battery tender, and order kit.

Coveted by many but only owned by a select few, these Heritage Edition GTs were the exclusive purview of Ford’s highest echelon of company VIPs. This one-owner, 2021 Heritage Edition GT represents the first chances for most collectors to acquire one of Ford’s most legendary supercars in a rarely seen specification, with fantastic optional extras and a striking, historical color scheme which pays tribute to one of the marque’s most important motorsport victories.