2019 Ford GT gets a racing paint job worthy of a legend

If this paint job looks familiar, then you might be a racing fan.

Ford has just released a special version of the 2019 Ford GT called the Heritage Edition, and it's wearing one of the most iconic paint schemes in racing history: Gulf Oil. 

The original Ford GT race cars wore the Gulf Oil livery, the most notable of which was chassis number 1075 which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 50 years ago in 1968. The chassis repeated the feat by winning again in 1969, making it one of the very few to have won the "48 hours of Le Mans".

"Many view the Gulf Oil paint scheme as the most famous in motorsports," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, global operations. "The 1968 GT40 quickly became a global sensation after beating its European competitors on the track four times in a row, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of its win, we’re paying fresh tribute to the original with a new heritage limited edition."

The special Gulf Oil tribute package for the Ford GT Heritage Edition features the blue and orange hues of the original. The scheme also includes exposed carbon fiber A-pillars and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. Orange calipers and silver rear view mirror covers round out the exterior design.

For the 2019 model year (2018 release) Ford GT Heritage, it will feature the #9 graphics on the hood and doors; the number of the car that won Le Mans in 1968. For the 2020 model year (2019 release) the number will be changed to #6 which was the number used by the same car in 1969.

Inside, Ford made some exclusive touches to make the GT Heritage unique amongst its peers such as ebony alcantara leather on the seats, intrument panel, pillars, headliner and steering. Ford also used blue and orange stitching as accents. The seat "embossment" is also inspired by the winning 1968 car, while there are other extra visual enhancements like carbon fiber door sills, air register pods and center console.

Like previous heritage models, this Ford GT will feature unique serialized (numbered) identification plates.

The Gulf Oil livery is perhaps one of the most recognizable in motorsport history. The livery was also used by other marques sponsored by Gulf Oil such as the Aston Martin DBR9, the classic Porsche 917K, and will even be used in a modern Formula E car.