2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Gulf Oil's first Le Mans victory with the legendary Ford GT40, and they're celebrating the occasion by resurrecting one of motorsport's most famous liveries - but this time the iconic blue and orange is hitting the road and track.
Officially dubbed the Ford GT ‘68 Heritage Edition, Gulf has joined with Ford for a limited run of special GTs with production planed for the 2019 and 2020. The' Heritage Blue' and 'Heritage Orange' paint scheme honours the Gulf Oil-sponsored Ford GT40 that won back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
The ‘68 Heritage Edition follows in the path of two earlier Ford GT Le Mans-inspired models - the 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition honoring the GT40 Mark II driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966 and '67 Heritage Edition celebrating Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt's Le Mans victory a year later.
Read more: Full Ford GT review
Gulf has many oil industry firsts to its name - including being the first company to open a drive-in fuel station - but the GT ‘68 Heritage Edition marks the first time the lubricant & fuel manufacturer has partnered with a global Vehicle Manufacturer to produce a road car production model.
“Many say the Gulf Oil paint scheme is the most famous in motorsports, propelled by the 1968 GT40 that quickly became a global sensation after Ford beat its European competitors not three, but four times in a row,” said Ford executive vice president and president, global operations, Joe Hinrichs.
“We set out to accentuate the new Ford GT’s race-inspired aerodynamic lines with the Gulf colours, while staying true to the original GT40 Le Mans winner.”
The Ford GT ’68 Heritage edition features the famous Heritage Blue exterior with Heritage Orange graphics and is offered with optional exposed carbon a-pillar and #9 graphics on both the hood and doors.
The car sports unique high gloss dark stainless 20-inch one-piece forged aluminium wheels with black lug nuts. Orange calipers and silver rearview mirror caps complete the look.
The Limited-edition Ford GT also features exclusive interior colours, materials and appointments. Ebony Alcantara is used extensively throughout the interior while blue and orange stitching accentuates the seats and steering wheel with a new seat embossment inspired by the original ’68 Le Mans winning car as well as clear & polished anodized paddle shifters.
High gloss dark stainless appliqués are used on the instrument panel, door register bezels and x-brace. The ’68 Heritage edition boasts a unique identification plate plus exposed matte carbon fibre door sills, air register pods and centre console.
Ford won't say how many GT ’68 Heritage edition will be built, except 'limited quantities will be available for the 2019 and 2020 model years and, for 2020, the package will boast an optional No. 6 in honour of the 1969 Le Mans winner.'
Read more: How Kiwi motorsport legend Rod Millen secured NZ's first Ford GT
