Ford’s best selling vehicles might be trucks, but the automaker’s most coveted product is the GT supercar.

All about innovation and performance, the latest generation GT is a vehicle built in very limited numbers. Prospective purchasers had to apply for the privilege to buy one of the iconic Fords. No positive outcome was guaranteed.

But Lee Miller of Calgary Fasteners & Tools was determined to submit an application. He wanted to add a 2018 Ford GT to his family’s collection. Miller believes it was the innovative video shot by his amateur filmmaking co-worker Jason Johnson that helped secure a car.

“I had in my mind what I wanted to do,” Miller says, adding, “But Jason said, ‘No, I think we should do it this way,’ and came up with a script and directed me. It worked out very well, because it became more of a story than just me talking about each individual car in our collection – and that’s what I’d first imagined for the video.”

Miller’s dad, Jerry, started collecting cars in 1995 when he bought a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500. Jerry continued collecting vehicles he’d driven in his youth, and they were mostly Fords.

Before getting too far into Miller’s GT story, however, here’s a little history about Ford and the GT; it’s a relationship that dates back to the early 1960s when a Ford V8 powered a Lola-built Mk 6 racecar. Seeking a measure of revenge on Enzo Ferrari for a failed Ford purchase of the Italian automaker, Henry Ford II brought the battle to the Le Mans racetrack. In pursuit of that goal, in 1963 Lola provided Ford with two of its mid-engine chassis, and the team came up with the GT/101 — 12 prototypes were built.

By 1964, the car was known as the GT40 Mk I and after an unspectacular season, racing legend Carroll Shelby became involved with the project. In 1966, under Shelby’s direction with the GT40 Mk IIs powered by 7.0-litre Ford V8 engines the automaker took first, second and third places at Le Mans. From that victory, Ford again took first at Le Mans — ahead of Ferrari — in 1967 in Mk IV GT40s.

Special delivery, the 2018 Ford GT purchased by the Miller family arrives in Calgary by enclosed hauler. Colin Tyler , Driving

On the ground at its new home, the 2018 Ford GT. Colin Tyler , Driving

There's nothing subtle about the latest Ford GT, including the colour on this one now owned by Lee Miller and his family. Colin Tyler , Driving

Just in case there was any doubt what the car might be, the GT name is subtly displayed in the headlights. Colin Tyler , Driving

After that, Ford walked away from the program and J.W. Automotive – who had initially worked with Ford on the GT40 cars – stepped back in. To meet new rules that restricted engine size, J.W. did what many thought was a backward step by returning to a Mk I small-block powered car with modifications to increase reliability, including cylinder heads developed by Harry Weslake. J.W. Automotive secured Gulf sponsorship, too, and the result was the famous light blue and orange livery of the car raced in 1968 and 1969.

“A very special Mk I GT40, serial # P1075, did the unthinkable,” says GT40 enthusiast Fred Phillips, “when it won Le Mans back to back in 1968 and 1969.”

By the end of the 1969 season, though, it was apparent that the GT40 had become something of an outdated racecar. But that wasn’t the end of the GT40.

In the U.K., British Safir Engineering worked with J.W. Automotive to build 40 Mk V GT40s between 1981 and 2000. Then, Safir GT40 Spares bought from Safir Engineering ‘the complete company, including engineering documents, chassis, parts and the trademark’.

Today, Safir GT40 Spares licenses Superformance in the U.S. to build continuation models of Mk I and Mk II cars.

Ford, however, debuted a concept GT90 in 1995 at the Detroit Auto Show. It remained only a working prototype until a new GT40 Concept was unveiled in 2002. Meant to celebrate Ford’s 100th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of its Le Mans performances, the car’s name was abbreviated to GT and offered for sale between 2005 and 2006.

One of these 21st century GTs had been on Jerry Miller’s wish list, but he put off buying one until 2010 when he bought a 2006 model. Unfortunately, four years ago Jerry died and did not know Ford was working on a new generation GT. That’s why, in May of 2016, son Lee took it upon himself to attempt to secure one for the family collection.

“It’s the pinnacle of Ford,” Miller says of the GT. “If you’re a Ford guy, and Dad was, it’s the car to have.”

Miller found out in July of 2016 his application had been approved. He’d been given the rights to purchase a new 2018 Ford GT.

As part of the package, Miller was offered the opportunity to fly his family in 2017 to the 85 th Le Mans to witness Ford GTs return to the track.

He says, “Getting picked for the car was incredible. Being invited to Le Mans as a guest of Ford was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity, and a Ford fan’s dream come true.”

Miller took delivery of the 2018 GT in mid-May and has big plans – beginning by unveiling it at a Ford GT symposium in support of the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre. The event is being held at the Fred Phillips Collection in west Calgary on June 16.

There, examples of the Mk I and Mk II GT40s and one of the 2005/2006 GTs will be displayed alongside Miller’s 2018 model. There’s much more history to discover about the Ford GT40 and GT cars. At the symposium, a panel of GT authorities including John Sadler, an accomplished racer and co-owner of Safir GT40 Spares, will discuss GT history.

To attend the GT40 symposium, inquire by email to tours@focusauto.com.

Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca