Car Feature: 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition

Recently we were alerted to one of the rarest collector cars of the modern era by our friends at Auctions America. The Ford GT Heritage Edition was released in 2006 to celebrate Ford’s centennial and pay homage to the blue oval’s racing heritage at the same time. We love the car because of the original GT40’s unusual background. Anyone that has followed the lineage of the Ford GT would have to respect the purpose and place in history that these cars hold. The Ford GT Heritage Edition represents the greatest automotive rivalry of all time: the feud between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari.

Ford Versus Ferrari (Heritage of the GT40)

In February of 1963, Enzo Ferrari let Henry Ford II know that the Ferrari business was for sale. Enzo was interested in selling the car business but retaining control over the racing program. Ford II liked the thought of having the company’s image enhanced by owning the glamorous Italian sportscar company. Ford went to Maranello, Italy with the final papers to seal the deal but Ferrari would not sign the papers because he didn’t like the clause that required him to request money for the racing operations from Ford. 

Upon his return back to the states, Henry Ford issued a statement to the rest of his company. “We’ll beat his ass. We are going to race him.”

2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition. All photos from Auctions America

Ford decided to beat Ferrari at the place that Ferrari held sacred: the prestigious and grueling 24-Hours of Le Mans, in the prototype class. This represented the pinnacle of motorsports and the place that Ferrari had won from the very first Le Mans race. Ferrari had won this specialized class form 1960 through 1963. In fact, they held the top 6-positions in 1963.

While Carroll Shelby attacked the GT class with his Cobras, Ford’s GT40s went directly after Ferrari in the Prototype class. 

Ford entered three GT40s in 1964’s prototype class with all three dropping out due to mechanical problems. Ferraris took the top three spots. The next year saw six of the upgraded GT40s drop out for mechanical issues with Ferrari taking the checkered flag.

Henry Ford II sent a one-line message to his team for 1966, “You’d better win” – signed Henry Ford II.

Race day came and ironically, Henry Ford II was the grand marshal of the race. A record crowd was on hand to watch the GT40s finish 1-2-3 in the prototype class making them the first American automaker ever to win Le Mans. The feat was repeated in 1967 and again with privateers in 1968 and ’69. Ferrari hasn’t had another Le Mans victory since.

The Heritage Edition

Inspired by the conquering GT40 racecars that beat Ferrari at LeMans and won the famed 24-hour race four years in a row, the new GT was much more than a mere design resemblance. It was a supercar capable of lightning-fast sprints to 60 mph in well under four seconds, yet tremendously competent in every other discipline, cornering and braking included. On top speed alone, it surpassed even the Porsche Carrera GT and Mercedes-McLaren SLR, setting new lap records on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife.

The bodies on all of the new Ford GTs are plastic composite, not aluminum like the originals, but the shape is very much the same. The panels were largely hand assembled and as a result, panel alignment is exceptional, the finish on the paint is show-quality from the factory. The Heritage cars also had an optional $1400 numbers package that included roundels on the doors, hood and deck lid where an owner could install his own numbers.

This “Heritage Edition” Ford GT is outfitted with the blue and orange paint scheme worn by the cars of the John Wyer racing teams of the 1960s and ‘70s. Ford’s special limited-edition ‘Heritage’ paint scheme recalled that famous JW Automotive/ Gulf Oil livery of the LeMans-winning GT40. This striking machine is finished in Heritage Blue with Epic Orange stripes and White roundels, and displays the number “6” in honor of the number carried on the 1969 Ickx/Oliver LeMans car, which was the last victory at Le Sarthe for the legendary GT40.

The GTs were produced in four distinct stages, with initial assembly at Norwalk, Ohio’s Mayflower Vehicle Systems, paint by Saleen at the Saleen Special Vehicles facility in Troy, Michigan, engine assembly at Ford’s Romeo, Michigan engine plant, followed by engine and transmission installation, plus interior finishing, at Ford’s Wixom, Michigan plant. Interestingly, the Ford GT was the last vehicle project at Wixom.

Only 343 GT Heritage Editions were produced under production code GL PO, making this 2006 GT Heritage the one to own for posterity. Not only is the Ford GT an homage to a great chapter in racing history, but for the true fan, the only one to own is one wearing Gulf livery.

Specs:

  • One supercharger compressor
  • Engine: 5.4 liter V8 engine
  • Bore: 90.2 mm/Stroke: 105.8 mm
  • Compression Ratio: 8.4:1
  • Double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
  • Fuel: Premium unleaded fuel 91 octane
  • Fuel consumption: City 13 mgp, highway 21 mpg and combined 16 mpg
  • Multi-point injection fuel system
  • Fuel tank: 17.4 gallon main 
  • Power: 550 HP SAE @ 6,500 rpm; 500 ft lb @ 3,750 rpm
  • Four disc brakes with four-wheel ABS. 

  • Rear limited slip differential
  • Wishbone front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

  • Dimensions: lenth: 182.8-inches/width: 76.9-inches/height: 44.3-inches/wheelbase: 106.7-inches 
  • Curb weight: 3,351-lbs
  • Rockford Fosgate audio system with AM/FM and CD player
  • Driver front airbag , passenger front airbag with occupant switch off
  • Racing driver and passenger ventilated seat
  • 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
  • Seating: two seats
  • Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment

Drivetrain

The GT’s 550 horsepower comes from a supercharged 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 with a six-speed gearbox, producing 550 brake horsepower and a throaty, muscular exhaust note. Ford engineers designed the engine bay to be not only functional, but beautiful as well. The aluminum space frame is exposed and finished to show standards with a uniform finish. The supercharged engine features Ford Blue valve covers with “Ford Racing” emblems. Each hand-built engine also features a small plaque signed by the engine builders, a personal touch present on high-end cars.

Final Details

With meticulous ownership from new and only 80 miles driven, this remarkable Ford GT is for all practical matters, a new car. It is factory-equipped with all four available options, including the $5,000 painted stripes, the $4,000 McIntosh CD stereo system, the $3,500 lightweight BBS forged aluminum wheels, and the $750 color-matched Brembo brake calipers.

Only 4,038 total examples were produced, with approximately 550, 1,900, and 1,600 built during 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Demand outstripped supply, with early cars selling for substantial premiums over the MSRP. This one is expected to cross the Auction America block between $360,000 to 400,000 at the gavel. 

About Auctions America

Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time vehicle specialists, who offer over 140 years of combined experience buying, selling, racing and restoring collector vehicles, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. The company’s established roster of annual events are held in some of the country’s leading automotive destinations including Auburn, Indiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Burbank, California. To learn more about Auctions America, visit auctionsamerica.com

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
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