Ford Reveals GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition To Celebrate Experimental GT Race Car Prototypes From The 1960s

Ford has revealed the 2022 GT Alan Mann Heritage Editon ahead of the vehicle making its public debut at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. The exclusive model is based on two lightweight GT40 Mk II prototypes that were built by Alan Mann Racing and helped inform the final Mk II that achieved victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. 

“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 programme 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 the 1960s, Alan Mann Racing was one of the more successful British outfits, with it eventually becoming an official Ford-backed team. In 1965-66, Alan Mann Racing used lighter materials to build the AM GT-1 as well as a second vehicle based on the GT Mk I. Although neither of these prototypes won a major race, the vehicles’ innovative use of lightweight materials inspired the construction of the cars that helped Ford win Le Mans in 1966 with the GT Mk II. 

In honour of this, today’s Ford GT supercar boasts a lightweight carbon fibre body cloaked as a GT Heritage Edition for 2022, featuring colours and stripes inspired by the AM GT-1. The limited-edition GT also features a dual over-the-roof racing stripe, Frozen White signature accent stripes and roundels with the number 16 printed on the doors, hood and the underside of the rear wing. Exposed gloss carbon fibre components are a distinct trait of the vehicle, featuring on its 20-inch wheels, side sills, mirrors, front splitter, engine louvres and rear diffuser. 

Following the car’s reveal, Henry Mann, director at Alan Mann Racing, commented, “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.”

 “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.”