The 24 Hours of Le Mans’ storied 100-year history has seen its fair share of cars with memorable liveries, but surely none ranks quite as highly as the Duck Egg Blue and Marigold of the Gulf Oil International corporation.

The striking colour scheme has graced everything from the Porsche 917 K raced by Steve McQueen’s character in Le Mans to the Aston Martin DBR9 which triumphed at La Sarthe in 2008. Ask any dyed-in-the-wool motorsport buff which cars first spring to mind when thinking about the Gulf Oil warpaint, however, and we highly suspect that the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s and Mirage M1s of the John Wyer Automotive Engineering outfit in the late-1960s will come the response.

Naturally, when Ford took the decision to create a modern-day tribute to the GT40 in advance of the marque’s centenary in 2003, the expectations were high. That the resulting supercar was a genuine rival to the Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was no understatement.

With its stunning body, nostalgic styling touches such as the ‘ventilated seats’, 5.4-litre supercharged V8 and all-aluminium spaceframe chassis, the Ford GT was entirely befitting of its predecessor – and indeed Ford’s 100th-anniversary celebration. So pleased was its maker that a 13,000 US-dollar Heritage Edition option was offered, comprising a stunning blue-and-orange painted livery inspired by the historic Gulf colours. Just 343 owners specified the option, making the Ford GT Heritage Edition exceptionally rare compared to its ‘standard’ counterpart.

The Ford GT we’re thrilled to be presenting is chassis number 401066, the 188th of the 343 Heritage Editions produced. In addition to the colour scheme, optional extras ticked on the order sheet included the desiragble McIntosh stereo and CD player, brake calipers painted grey and the lightweight forged aluminium wheels. It left the line on 2 May 2006 and was delivered new to the Courtesy Ford dealership in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Unusually, this Ford was subsequently imported to Europe, where it’s remained to this day. Chassis 401066 was acquired by its fourth and current European custodian in 2014. Besides its rarity as a Heritage Edition, this GT is notable for its exquisite condition and beguiling originality – perhaps unsurprising given the mere 3,070 miles showing on the odometer.

The striking exterior bodywork is entirely blemish-free and the Ebony leather interior shows virtually zero signs of wear. Accompanying the car is a copy of its original Ford window stickers, its manufacturer certificate and a Gulf-inspired car cover. It also benefits from a recent comprehensive service with GT101, Europe’s leading specialist for these GTs and the company responsible for importing a great number of them from the US.

On this side of the Atlantic, the Ford GT is an incredibly rare proposition. Chassis number 401066 presents someone with an opportunity to acquire a highly original and ultra-low-mileage example of what is not only a remarkably competent supercar, but a magnificent homage to what is one of motorsport history’s greatest hits.

Price Upon Application