Vehicle Description
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"Heritage" Ford GT owned by Motorsport "Hall of Fame" member Chip
Ganassi
First year, 25th Ford GT built, one of the limited edition Heritage
cars in 2017
Special limited-edition celebrating Ford's first 24 Hours of Le
Mans victory in 1966
647 horsepower, 550lb/ft torque 3.5-liter V6 engine, 7-speed
dual-clutch transmission
Same Ford GT platform that won at 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of
Daytona, two-time 2nd place overall in IMSA GTLM class
In the world of motorsport, it is easy to be forgotten among the
hordes of drivers and teams, and pulling off the act of becoming
legendary is often a hard-won battle. However, two names in
motorsport are known for their sheer determination and have gone
down in the record books: The Ford GT and Chip Ganassi. One was an
unlikely racecar designed to beat the likes of Ferrari in 1966 at
the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the other is a Motorsports Hall of Fame
member for his exploits in the motorsports world and as a
championship team owner. Both started with something to prove, with
both proving to the competition that they were not to be meddled
with and cementing themselves in motorsports history. With both of
their legacies intertwined more recently with Chip Ganassi Racing
chosen by Ford to run their new Ford GT in IMSA and select European
races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the two have quite easily
made a name for themselves together and separately.
The Ford GT story follows a 50+ year timeline. The original Ford
GT40s were built to break Ferrari's seemingly unshakable grip on
the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. In the second year they raced, 1966,
they took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at Le Mans, justly proving that
Ford, an American manufacturer, could run with the European
contenders and beat them. The Ford GT name would lay dormant for
almost 40 years, seeing its revival in 2004 with the new Ford GT
road cars. These were developed to be street cars first,
comfortable and easier to drive, with 550 horsepower on tap. Fast
forward to 2015's Frankfurt Motor Show, and the all-new Ford GT is
revealed. It is announced that the Ford GT is set to go racing in
both IMSA and the World Sports Car series, spearheaded by the Chip
Ganassi Racing team. Chip Ganassi is the only team owner to have
won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400, the
Daytona 24 Hours, the 12 hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le
Mans - six of the biggest races in the world. Chip Ganassi racing
has a record of 8 wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, five wins at the
Indianapolis 500 and 12 IndyCar championships in addition to
numerous other wins. Much like the fateful race at Le Mans 50 years
ago with Ford's triumph, Ford's GT under Chip Ganassi Racing took
to 1st in class at the 24 Hours of Lemans in 2016, cementing the
modern car in legend as its predecessor had done before it.
The new 2017 Ford GT application process saw a flooding of
applicants who wanted to purchase the new car, despite only 1,000
being announced to be built. With over 6,500 applications to date,
many went home empty handed. However, Chip being the principal
owner and CEO of Chip Ganassi Racing who represented and supported
the Ford GTs in racing received the 25th car off the assembly line.
Optioned with the $50,000 Heritage '66 Series package, adding the
following: Black leather seats with pillowed inserts, Shadow Black
paint with Silver stripes, white #2 badge on the front hood/door
graphics and forged aluminum alloy wheels, Exterior exposed carbon
fiber package with Gold IP/Seat X-brace finishers and shifters,
Black leather steering wheel, IP, Pillars and headliner, matte
carbon fiber registers, door sills and console, blue seatbelts and
pull strap webbing, and a white #2 interior door accent graphics
with Gold IP badge. Approximately 50 cars in 2017 were optioned
with the Heritage package. A $10,000 Akrapovic titanium exhaust
option was selected, along with Titanium lug nuts. Along with an
indoor car cover and factory-installed 6-point harness anchors,
Chip's Ford GT factory MSRP was $516,000 when completed.
Chip drove the car for only 1,300 miles during his ownership before
the car arrived at Canepa. Knowing Bruce Canepa and being a
personal friend of his, Chip thought that Bruce would be the right
person for his Ford GT when he decided it was time for the next
owner to enjoy it. Upon arrival at Canepa, the Heritage car was
thoroughly looked over from front to back. With paint protection
wrapped on paint surfaces, the deep black paint finish is in same
stunning condition that you'd expect from being in as-new
condition. With only a limited number of these supercars destined
for the U.S., owning and driving one now is a rare experience.
Couple that this design has won major contemporary races, along
with the positive opinions of drivers and fans alike, there is no
better opportunity to own a 2017 Ford GT. There is no more
collectible Ford GT than Chip Ganassi's personal car.