Ford GT Holman Moody Heritage Edition

The presumably final special edition of the Ford GT will make its debut at the New York Auto Show. This mid-engine sports car will be phased out at the end of the year after six years of production. By then, a total of approximately 1,500 units are expected to have rolled off the production line. A few of these can currently still be configured by orderers and can thus become part of the new Holman Moody Heritage Edition. This special edition model attracts attention at first glance due to its paintjob in the color “Holman Moody Gold” in combination with red and white accents. Very similar to this was one of the GT40 race cars in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in the end. The implied starting number 5 on the front, rear wing and doors of the Holman Moody Heritage Edition also matches this. The number is also painted on the carbon elements inside the doors.

Holman Moody was one of Ford’s factory-supported teams back in the days. Together with Shelby American, they had finally exorcised the teething troubles of the GT40 after the unsuccessful races in 1965. For example, they developed a system for changing the brake system for each wheel as a whole in just a few steps. Chassis number P/1016, which later took third place at Le Mans, served as the test car. On eight days in January 1966 alone, this car completed more than 265 laps on a race track. In addition to the brakes, the team also worked on the suspension and tire wear. At times, even an experimental automatic transmission was used. The goal was clear: overall victory at Le Mans. At the New York Auto Show, P/1016 stands next to the first example of the Ford GT in the Holman Moody Heritage Edition.

Images: Ford