By Mark Rushbrook, director of Global Ford Performance Motorsports

I have been captivated by racing my whole life since my dad first turned on the TV to watch the Monaco Grand Prix. It has morphed in to both my passion and now my job – which is the dream scenario for sure. Throughout my early years and ever since, Mustang has been front and center for me, from those early days of watching the legendary Parnelli Jones though to now running our global Mustang race programs on 5 of the 7 continents of the world.

Throughout that period, the way these cars looked either on the TV or in person has been a huge part of why I love Mustang so much.

The term livery typically refers to a unique design or insignia indicating affiliation, often seen on people or vehicles. For enthusiasts like me, it evokes memories of iconic Ford race cars and their storied designs. Many of you might even reminisce about your favorite racing liveries or a memorable driver’s number.

To honor some of the most iconic Mustang sports car racers of the past 60 years, Ford Performance is proud to introduce the new Mustang GT3 IMSA factory race cars, featuring the unique Champion Spirit Livery. This livery is a fusion of art and history, celebrating the colors and designs of eight significant Mustang racers by creating a new, unique livery that encapsulates Mustang's achievements in sports car racing since 1964. Selecting just eight designs from a long list of iconic liveries was a challenging task.

Upon seeing the completed version, I was immediately struck by the rich heritage and champion spirit embodied in Mustang racing. From its first international success at the Tour de France in 1964, just months after its debut, to the unmistakable Motorcraft livery of 1985, where Mustang dominated the IMSA GTO class, this livery represents significant moments in Mustang's history.

The designers adopted an artistic approach to blend different designs, creating a new livery that pays tribute to Mustang's racing legacy while highlighting the Mustang GT3’s power. Each historic livery is depicted as battle-worn, layered into the Mustang GT3's design, signifying its deep-rooted spirit. Every major race win and championship has propelled Mustang forward, and we believe this Champion Spirit will drive Mustang to future victories.

The factory IMSA GTD PRO Mustang GT3s, racing under the Ford Multimatic Motorsports banner, will debut in the Champion Spirit livery at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 10-12) before moving on to their home race at the Detroit Grand Prix (May 31-June 1). They will continue to sport this special livery before returning to their traditional full-season livery at Watkins Glen (June 20-23).

1964 Tour de France Mustangs: Just five months post-debut, Mustangs prepared by Alan Mann Racing ended Jaguar’s five-year winning streak in touring-class races by clinching first and second places in the grueling Tour de France – a 10-day, 3,500-mile series of races and hill climbs. Out of 56 starters, the two Mustangs were among the 19 finishers, securing nine trophies at prestigious European circuits including Le Mans and Monza, driven by Peter Proctor and Andrew Cowan.

1965 SCCA B Production Mustang GT350: In 1964, as part of its Total Performance campaign, Ford turned to Shelby American to help homologate the Mustang for SCCA series racing. The resulting GT350, with its numerous enhancements, dominated the 1965 SCCA B-Production championship under Jerry Titus, winning three consecutive championships.

1966 Shelby American Mustang: The inaugural SCCA Trans-Am Series season in 1966 saw Tom Yeager and Bob Johnson secure Mustang's first Trans-Am victory at the Mid-America 300. Mustang won four of the seven races that season, securing the championship.

1970 Mustang Boss 302: The 1970 season saw the Bud Moore team, with drivers Parnelli Jones and George Follmer, dominate the SCCA Trans-Am Series, winning six races and securing both the manufacturer’s and driver’s championships with the Boss 302 Mustang.

1981 IMSA GTX Mustang: In 1981, Ford Motor Company's racing program saw a resurgence in sports car racing with the debut of the Zakspeed No. 6 turbocharged Miller Mustang, driven by Klaus Ludwig. Despite narrowly missing a win by a tenth of a second in its first race, the Mustang achieved breakthrough victories at Brainerd International Speedway and again at Sears Point in the GTX class, marking the launch of Ford’s renewed effort in sports car racing.

1985 Roush IMSA Mustang: The Roush Mustang GTO ended the 1984 IMSA season on a high note with a victory at Daytona by Willie T. Ribbs and Wally Dallenbach Jr., setting the stage for 1985. That year, the Mustang claimed nine IMSA race wins. John Jones won the driver’s championship, while Lynn St. James secured three victories, becoming the first woman to win in the series and contributing to Ford's manufacturer’s championship win.

1987 Roush IMSA Mustang: During the 1987 Daytona 24-hour race, the No. 11 Roush Mustang, driven by Tom Gloy, Bill Elliott, Lynn St. James, and Scott Pruett, clinched first place in the GTO class.

1997 Mustang Cobra Trans-Am: The 1997 SCCA Trans-Am season witnessed a dominant performance by Ford Mustang. Tommy Kendall, driving the Roush All-Sport Mustang Cobra, notched 11 consecutive victories, while Mike Borkowski won the final two races of the season. Kendall secured the driver’s championship for the third consecutive year.