Ford Motor Company has unveiled a tribute to Alan Mann Racing’s 1966 Ford GT lightweight experimental prototypes, the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition. This limited-edition version of the supercar celebrates the role the prototypes played in the history of the development of the legendary Ford GT.
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 fibre body cloaked as a GT Heritage Edition for 2022 in colors and stripes inspired by the AM GT-1.
Commenting on the announcment, Ford GT program manager Mike Severson said: “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 “With its red and gold livery, this Ford GT is inspired by Alan Mann Racing’s contribution to our Le Mans-winning story.”
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 fibre 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 modernise the aesthetic.
Carbon fibre carries into the cabin, appearing on door sills, console and registers. Ebony Alcantara®-wrapped carbon fibre 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 fibre 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.
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 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-litre 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 honour 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 colours 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.”
The Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition is the 7th ultra-limited-production series adds to the growing list of nods to Ford’s motoring racing heritage. Previous Limited Editions include the Ford GT Heritage Edition inspired by 66 Daytona 24hr and the Ford GT Heritage Edition homage to 1964 GT prototypes.
The 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition is available for approved Ford GT customers, with first deliveries taking place this quarter.
