2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition
Mar 03, 2022 - 4 minute read
It is hard to tell who is the shining star of the Ford GT Heritage Edition series. The Ford GT is America’s only Le Mans-winning supercar.
Is it from 2006? The Ford GT Heritage Edition is perhaps the most desirable version, it utilizes the Gulf livery so famously used on the John Wyer GT40s which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
In 2020 the First-ever Daytona-inspired Ford GT Heritage Edition was introduced. The Heritage Edition joined the storied Ford GT supercar family is a tribute to the winner of the 1966 Daytona 24 Hour Continental, where Ford achieved its first 24-hour endurance win, which is captured in the 2019 film “Ford v Ferrari” – or “Le Mans ’66,” as it is known in Europe.
And recently as a tribute to the Ford GT supercar, the prototype vehicle that gave life to the program more than a half-century ago, Ford is introducing the 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition. The limited-edition vehicle is inspired by the 1964 Ford GT prototype that debuted at the New York International Auto Show on April 3, 1964 and went on to become America’s only Le Mans-winning supercar.
“This is the first Ford GT Heritage Edition that goes beyond celebrating race wins – this one goes deep, and honors the earliest of Ford supercar heritage,” said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager. “The Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition is a modern interpretation of the original, with no mistaking what this car is paying tribute to.”
Now it is only fitting as a tribute to Alan Mann Racing’s 1966 Ford GT lightweight experimental prototypes, Ford is introducing the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition. The limited-edition vehicle celebrates the role the prototypes played in the history of the development of the Ford GT.
“Whether it’s going like hell at the racetrack or out-innovating the competition, the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition honors 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.”
In 1965-66, Alan Mann Racing used lighter materials to create AM GT-1, along with a second car, based on the GT Mk I. While neither prototype won a major race, the use of lightweight materials was similar to what helped Ford win Le Mans with the GT Mk II in 1966.
This spirit continues in today’s Ford GT supercar, with its lightweight carbon fiber body cloaked as a GT Heritage Edition for 2022 in colors and stripes inspired by the AM GT-1.
Limited-edition run pays tribute to the original
In addition to wearing unique Alan Mann red exterior paint with gold graphics, this limited-edition GT includes a dual over-the-roof racing stripe, Frozen White signature accent stripes and roundels with No. 16 on the doors, hood and underside of the rear wing.
Exposed gloss carbon fiber components are prominent, including on the 20-inch wheels, front splitter, side sills, mirrors, engine louvers and rear diffuser. Brembo® brake calipers lacquered in black with red graphics, plus black lug nuts further modernize the aesthetic.
Carbon fiber carries into the cabin, appearing on door sills, console and registers. Ebony Alcantara®-wrapped carbon fiber seats feature gold and red accent stitching, while embossed seating surfaces and head restraints carry the GT logo. The instrument panel is wrapped in Ebony leather and Alcantara, while pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony Alcantara.
Gold appliqués on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace are paired with the matte carbon fiber registers, door sills, lower A-pillars and console. The steering wheel is finished in Ebony Alcantara with black stitching, while dual-clutch paddle shifters are finished in exterior-matching Alan Mann red.
Honoring early Ford GT racing efforts
Wrapping up its final year of production, the 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition pays tribute to Alan Mann Racing and the support the team provided from England in 1965. Lessons learned from Alan Mann Racing improved the capabilities of the Ford GT40 and led to its third- and fourth-fastest times in the 1966 Le Mans trials.
Ultimately, the Le Mans committee chose to run the heavier and more powerful 7.0-liter V8 race cars for the rest of the 1966 season, which culminated in a 1-2-3 podium sweep for Ford at Le Mans, ending the run of the English team’s lightweight version.
“It’s a great honor for Alan Mann Racing and the Mann family to celebrate the epic motorsports heritage of Ford GT with this fantastic limited-edition car,” said Henry Mann, director, Alan Mann Racing Ltd. “To see the red and gold colors of our team’s livery come back to life, and to debut this new GT alongside one of our original GT40s in Chicago, will be a magical occasion.”
Further building on the Heritage Edition series
The Ford GT Heritage Edition series celebrates the supercar’s landmark moments including, of course, its Le Mans-winning titles. The 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition marks the seventh in the ultra-limited-production series. These include:
2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition honoring GT roots and the earliest five original Ford GT prototypes
2021 Ford GT Heritage Edition honoring No. 98 Ford GT Mk II co-driven by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby to Ford’s 1-2-3-5 domination at Daytona in 1966, kicking off a magical season for the Ford GT40 Mk II
2020 Ford GT ’69 Heritage Edition honoring No. 6 Ford GT40 Mk I that was victorious at Le Mans in 1969
2019 Ford GT ’68 Heritage Edition honoring No. 9 Ford GT40 Mk I that was victorious at Le Mans in 1968
2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition honoring No. 1 Ford GT40 Mk IV that was victorious at Le Mans in 1967
2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition honoring No. 2 Ford GT40 Mk II co-driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966
2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition commemorating GT40’s back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans titles in 1968 and 1969
The 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition is available for approved Ford GT customers, with first deliveries taking place this quarter. If you would like to learn more about the Ford GT please contact J.C. Lewis Ford at 912.210.5677.