A special runout version of Ford Motor Company’s GT supercar is being built to honour the man who played a key role in its early success at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Each Ford GT ‘Alan Mann Heritage Edition’ is finished in a red and gold colour scheme that includes a dual over-the-roof racing stripe, Frozen White signature accents and roundels with the number 16 for the doors, bonnet and rear wing’s underside.
Gloss carbon fibre elements are joined by lightweight multi-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels that partially conceal Brembo brake calipers that are lacquered in black and set off by red graphics.
The use of carbon fibre is repeated on the inside, with the material appearing on the dashboard, the lower console and door sills. Ebony Alcantara-wrapped carbon fibre seats feature gold and red accent stitching, while the embossed seats and head restraints carry the GT logo.
The instrument panel, A pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony leather and Alcantara and the dual-clutch paddle shifters behind the steering wheel are finished in exterior-matching Alan Mann red paint.
The striking livery has been inspired by Alan Mann Racing’s lightweight experimental GT cars from the mid-Sixties – prototypes that are credited with having played a significant role in the development of the race-ready model.
The story goes that in 1965 and 1966, Alan Mann Racing used lighter materials to create ‘AM GT-1’, along with a second car that was based on the GT Mk1.
While neither prototype won a major race, the use of lightweight materials was adopted by Ford and helped the Blue Oval in its efforts to win Le Mans using the GT Mk2 in 1966.
The Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition is also significant for the fact it brings the curtain down on an 8-year production cycle of the twin-turbocharged, 3.5-litre V6 flagship model.
“Whether it’s going like hell at the racetrack or out-innovating the competition, the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition honours the vehicles that helped lead Ford to its wins,” said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager.
“With its red and gold livery, this Ford GT is inspired by Alan Mann Racing’s contribution to our Le Mans-winning story,” added Severson.
The 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition marks the seventh in the ultra-limited-production series. The others include:
- The 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition that honours the earliest five original Ford GT prototypes;
- The 2021 Ford GT Heritage Edition inspired by the No. 98 Ford GT Mk2 co-driven by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby to Ford’s 1-2-3-5 domination at Daytona in 1966;
- The 2020 Ford GT ’69 Heritage Edition built to to celebrate the No. 6 Ford GT40 Mk1 that was victorious at Le Mans in 1969;
- The 2019 Ford GT ’68 Heritage Edition that pays homage to the No. 9 Ford GT40 Mk1 that was victorious at Le Mans in 1968;
- The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition that honours the No. 1 Ford GT40 Mk4 that was victorious at Le Mans in 1967;
- The 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition built to celebrate the No. 2 Ford GT40 Mk2 co-driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966;
- And the 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition that commemorates GT40’s back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans titles in 1968 and 1969.
