The story of the Ford GT is as legendary as it is deeply personal for those who have been part of it, a saga that bridges fierce rivalries, engineering excellence, and unforgettable experiences. In the early 1960s, Ford Motor Company set its sights on acquiring Ferrari. This deal would have secured Ford’s place in elite European racing circuits, but when Enzo Ferrari pulled out at the last minute, it sparked a rivalry that changed the course of automotive history. Determined to surpass Ferrari on the racetrack, Ford developed the GT40 to take on Ferrari at the world’s most grueling race: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1966, after years of development, Ford achieved the unthinkable—taking first, second, and third place at Le Mans, cementing the GT40 as an American icon.

Ford’s victories at Le Mans from 1966 to 1969 propelled the GT40 into racing lore and set the foundation for the Ford GT, a street-legal version released in 2005 to bring the GT40’s power and prestige to everyday drivers. Then, in 2017, Ford announced a limited run of 500 new GT models. I remember scrolling past the ad—this new Ford GT, an updated, fiercely beautiful take on the original legend, and I was captivated. By then, I was back in the U.S., rebuilding after a painful breakup and moving to the Pacific Palisades. It was 2016, and I was going through a rough time, adjusting to life back stateside while trying to keep my mind off the heartbreak. When I saw Ford’s announcement, it got my attention. I was ready to take a chance on acquiring it.

The application process for the new Ford GT wasn’t typical—it wasn’t enough to have the means to buy the car. Ford wanted applicants who could represent the brand in the public eye, and they specifically asked about social media presence. At the time, I had a substantial following on the live-streaming platform Meerkat, For me, live streaming had been a creative outlet, and here it was, opening a door into an unexpected world. So I filled out the form, mentioned my social media presence, and answered a few questions, including whether I’d owned a Ford before. Then came the final part: a one-minute video explaining why I wanted the car.

I didn’t go all-out with production. Instead, I opened my laptop, looked into the webcam, and spoke candidly. I told them that I wasn’t famous, that I wasn’t a celebrity. But I shared a different kind of dream—that I wanted to represent something unique in this industry. I wanted to show young people of color that they, too, could aspire to own something as extraordinary as this car, an American racing icon. Historically, the image of high-end sports car owners has been predominantly white, and I saw an opportunity to broaden that image. My message was simple: I wanted the car not just for myself but as a way to inspire others who might see a bit of themselves in me.

I submitted the video and promptly forgot about it. Then, over the next several months, I noticed videos from other applicants, some with elaborate production values and emotional appeals. I saw videos from people who’d pulled out all the stops to make their case, from sheikhs to wealthy collectors to one woman shedding tears over her late father’s love for Ford. I began to feel like my humble webcam video didn’t stand a chance. Months later, I heard that Ford had begun sending out three types of emails: a congratulatory email, a second-chance standby email, and, for most of the 6,500 applicants, a rejection email thanking them for their interest. That’s when I remembered my own inbox, buried under emails I hadn’t looked through in months. There it was—an email from Ford with the word “Congratulations.” I read and re-read it, thinking it couldn’t be real until I saw others online posting similar emails with identical wording. That’s when it hit me: I’d been selected.

The following year, I moved back to Europe but continued to work through the final steps with Ford, selecting colors and options with the concierge. Ford sent a carbon-fiber kit containing color samples and miniature replicas to help me choose. I went with a non-standard color design—black, why? Well, because black is beautiful. Finally, I received the long-awaited email from Ford’s concierge, signaling the start of production and inviting me to visit the factory. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the trip, but Ford kept me in the loop, sending photos of the car during different stages of assembly, including a high-quality portrait of the finished masterpiece.

In 2019, I took delivery of the car in Los Angeles, where I watched it roll off the truck. Ford sent a specialist who spent nearly two hours walking me through the car’s features, teaching me everything from how to unlock it if the power went out to how to handle its unique driving dynamics. I left the car at the dealership for a double wrap, preserving its paint before finally taking it home. That first drive was a nervous thrill; it was a culmination of everything I’d gone through to get there, from heartbreak and rebuilding to a chance that started with a one-minute video.

Owning this Ford GT is more than just a thrill—it’s a piece of history that I get to be a part of. Ford’s story began as an act of defiance against Ferrari, a way to make their mark on a world that wasn’t theirs by default. In a similar way, my journey to the Ford GT wasn’t straightforward, nor was it something I took for granted. Every drive is a reminder of what’s possible when you seize the opportunities life presents, even when they’re unexpected. For me, this GT represents resilience, not just Ford’s but my own.

---

The film Ford v Ferrari brought the Ford GT’s remarkable legacy to a global audience, with Matt Damon and Christian Bale capturing the bold spirit and relentless drive behind Ford’s historic 1966 victory.