Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. Keen to celebrate its rich racing history, Ford unveiled the new Ford GT at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Developed in secret, Ford’s intention from the start was to return to Le Mans in 2016, seeking a class win 50 years after Ford swept the podium at the infamous 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40. While the 2005 Ford GT was a retro-inspired homage to the original GT40, the new Ford GT was designed with motorsport at its core, utilizing cutting edge design and advanced materials throughout its construction. As for its maker's racing aspirations, the new GT did not disappoint. At Le Mans on 19th June 2016, the number '68' Ford GT of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing driven by Hand/ Müller/ Bourdais finished first in the LM GTE-Pro class, their victory marking 50 years after Ford's first Le Mans win in 1966 with the original GT40. Technologically a far cry from its predecessors, the new Ford GT features a 3. 5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 Ecoboost engine fitted with upgraded turbos, an aluminium intake manifold, unique camshafts and a bespoke dry-sump lubrication system. Despite its relatively small displacement, power was rated at an impressive 647bhp for the standard car. In 2020, for the Heritage Editions, the engine was revamped with gallery-cooled pistons and high energy ignition coils, boosting output by 13bhp to 660bhp. The new tuning also yielded a broader torque band while overall torque output remained the same. Redesigning the rear distinctive rear flying buttress air ducts and fitting larger intercoolers increased airflow by almost 50% while a new titanium exhaust system by Akrapovič shed 4kg. The power is fed to the road via a lightning fast 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission. The chassis is a radically designed carbon fibre monocoque with lightweight aluminium front and rear subframes. Each body panel is made of carbon fibre with a distinctive aerodynamic channel running from the rear of the doors to the rear of the car with active aerodynamics and adjustable driving modes/ ride height to ensure the car is always properly set up for road or circuit use. The factory claimed a sub-three seconds 0-60mph time and a top speed of 216mph (347km/ h), which makes the Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes a necessity rather than a luxury. Ford's new supercar had been created with GT racing in mind, hence the presence of an integral roll cage and a host of other competition car technologies. Yet despite its state of the art track-focused suspension, the GT has a ride quality rivalling that of a luxury saloon. Such was the excitement and popularity of the new GT, the planned 1, 000 road models had all been sold before deliveries commenced in 2017. This model year 2020 Ford GT is one of 50 Heritage Edition examples built in commemoration and as tribute to the legendary GT40 P/ 1075, the car that won the 1968 and 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans with its unmistakable Gulf Oil blue and orange livery, arguably one of the most celebrated colour combinations/ liveries in history. The modern interpretation is Heritage Blue with Competition Orange stripes and heritage roundel graphics over a black Heritage interior to match the original GT40. The 2019 model featured a large No. 9 graphic on the doors and hood, and this, the 2020 model featured a large No. 6, representing the 1969 Le Mans-winning GT40. Inside the car features a host of unique elements such as the Alcantara-trimmed interior, including seats, dashboard, headliner, and steering wheel, blue and orange contrast stitching, mirroring the car’s exterior as well as a unique chassis plate, signifying its limited-production number, this being L249. The interior is optioned with the Heritage package and the fixed Sparco seats are trimmed in black leather and Alcantara upholstery with patterned seat inserts. Gulf-inspired blue and orange stitching is present on the seats and steering wheel. Exposed carbon fibre is visible on the door sills, dashboard, and centre console and the fixed-position driver's seat is compensated by an adjustable pedal box and steering column. Additional appointments include air conditioning, an infotainment system with a touchscreen and 6-point harness anchors. Externally the car features race-tuned suspension with adjustable Track Mode which drops the car by nearly 2" for better aerodynamics and handling, a deployable rear wing, front splitter and rear diffuser which optimize downforce at high speeds. The car sits on staggered-width 20" forged aluminium wheels, shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. Braking is handled by orange-painted Brembo 6-piston monoblock callipers over monstrous 15. 5" carbon-ceramic discs up front, with 4-piston callipers over the 14. 1" units at the back. Ordered new and first registered in the UK on...
