The Ford GT was the direct result of the famously inflammatory feud between Ford and Ferrari which made automotive history in the 1960s, and has since been iconized by the 2019 movie, Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Losing market share, Henry Ford II decided he needed a proven champion to re-establish Ford as a player in the sports car market and, in 1962, he approached Enzo Ferrari with an offer to meld the two companies, garnering a world-renowned racing team in the process. Ferrari flirted, and fled. Ford fumed and resolved he would beat Ferrari on the world stage of endurance motor racing.

Ford collaborated with British race car company Lola and, in 1964, legendary driver and constructor Carroll Shelby joined the team. Following two years of grueling trials and tests, and the Ford GT was ready to take on the world, and most specifically – Ferrari. The venue was the 24 Hours of Daytona, the driver was Ken Miles, the car was Ford’s no. 98 GT40, and the win was monumental. Ford compounded its victory at the 24 Hours of Sebring the same year and went on to dominate at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a consummate 1-2-3 win. The Ford GT then won Le Mans in 1967, 1968, and 1969. Ford was victorious and Henry Ford II was vindicated.

Fast forward 50 years and Ford decided to celebrate its total dominance of the golden era of endurance motor racing with the launch of the road-going, race-inspired 50th anniversary Ford GT – and a return to Le Mans in 2016.

The original 1966 Ford GT profile was the baseline used to create the new aerodynamic, carbon fiber monocoque teardrop silhouette, which maximizes downforce and minimizes drag. Extensive work in the wind tunnel helped develop the dramatic buttresses that facilitate air flow to the intakes and increase stability.

Thanks to the 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 EcoBoost engine and seven-speed Getrag PowerShift dual-clutch transaxle, the subsequent GT produced 647 hp with 550 lbs./ft. of torque. Acceleration from 0–60 mph is less than 3.0 seconds, with a top speed of 217 mph, countered by brutish Brembo brakes.

The cockpit-activated race mode increases throttle sensitivity, tightens the shift response, lowers the hydraulically adjustable pushrod suspension, stiffens damper settings, and triggers the rear wing, while traction and stability settings step down a notch. Everything about the new GT was designed not to push the envelope, but to bust right through it. The minimalist cockpit engenders a radical race environment, with a built-in roll cage, steering wheel control center to select ride height and drive mode, and the touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the dash. Carbon fiber seats are fixed to maximize cockpit space, while the steering wheel and pedals are adjustable.

Ford unveiled the 50th anniversary GT in 2015 and went to Le Mans in 2016 where it won 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th positions in the GTE Pro class, once again asserting its dominance in the endurance motor sports arena. When production of the GT began in December 2016, only 1,000 units were on the roster and all had already been sold. Due to the enthusiastic response, Ford added an additional 350 cars in 2018, and 698 in 2019.

This Ford GT was built in 2019 and was special ordered with $75,250 worth of optional extras. The theme of this extraordinary car is “Lightspeed” consisting of a Liquid Blue exterior with Ingot Silver stripes, and it is optioned with an exterior matte carbon fiber package, black Brembo calipers, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The car is essentially as-new in every aspect with 21 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing and complete with the Ford factory build sheet, accessories, Ford car cover and CARFAX Vehicle History Report.

In 1966, the Ford GT became a legend. This delivery-mileage 2019 example of the limited-edition GT is the road-ready reincarnation of the Le Mans champion and is perfectly primed for road or track. It is sure to delight and thrill anyone appreciative of history, legacy, and otherworldly performance.