Genuine Ford GT - Chip Ganassi Fireproof Jacket


ChipBeck

GT Owner
Staff member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 13, 2006
5,770
Scottsdale, Arizona
Gentlemen,

During our inaugural trip to Daytona to see the new GT’s race for the first time I thought the Ford driver’s fireproof suits were incredibly good looking. I told DBK that I’d really like to acquire one and Dave told me they weren’t available and are very expensive. Sparco did make them available only to new GT owners and they are expensive (for several reasons). I’ve got the suit and love it but will seldom have a chance to wear it. What I really wanted was the top half of the actual drivers fire suit made exactly the same with all the sewn in logos, action back sleeves, same stitching, and made from the same fire proof Nomex. Such a jacket would be expensive BUT unlike the suit I could wear it a lot. It would look great over a polo shirt with jeans.

Over breakfast with Fred Nader of Sparco (who makes those team suits and many components of the new GT) I pitched my idea. His and Sparco’s initial reaction was muted as there are other Ford GT jackets available. True, but there’s something magic about the real thing. Fred “got it” and pitched the idea to Sparco who made a prototype to show me and to donate at the BJ GT auction. Fred brought it to the GT Forum Barrett Jackson dinner and it was bitchin’. The jacket is made from the same fireproof material and design as the drivers racing suits and includes the sponsor logos.

They will all be custom made for each owner. You’ll be fitted just like for the drivers suit and you can tell them if you want it a bit looser to fit over other clothing or tighter fitting like an actual drivers suit. You can also specify if you want it above your hips like a bomber jacket or at your hips. Ladies jackets will flatter their superior shape. On the back of the collar is the sewn in logo shown below. Added to this logo you can have your name or your car’s serial #, but not both.

There are no patches sewn on to this jacket. All of the Ford and sponsor logos are sewn in. All of the thread used to make the jacket and logos is fire resistant Nomex thread just like the jacket itself.

The project had to be submitted to and approved by Ford and that’s been done. Finally, these jackets will never be sold to the public, never sold at races, never sold on line. They can only be purchased by GT OWNERS (‘05-‘06 & NFGT).

As of right now the only one that exists is the prototype XL and it’s too big for me so the photos below don’t reflect how cool a proper fitting one will be next time you show up at the track or any auto event. You’ll hear, “Where did you get that?!?” a lot! And unless you own a Ford GT, you can’t get one.

They will have them taylored for women as well and girls look even better in driving gear than men do. Because of how they’re built and what they are made of they’re expensive. $1495. But after you’ve worn and enjoyed it for years that will seem like a bargain.

I’m bringing the prototype jacket with me to Daytona so members can check it out and I’ll post ordering info as soon as I have it. All the best.

Chip
 

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dbk

The Favor Factory™
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,187
Metro Detroit
Ahem, Chip - can you buy the suit as worn by the drivers?
 

roketman

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 24, 2005
7,994
ma.
sign me up!
 

KennethClay

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 15, 2012
860
New York
Ahem, Chip - can you buy the suit as worn by the drivers?

+1. The jacket is cool, too, and I look forward to checking it out in Daytona!
 

ChipBeck

GT Owner
Staff member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 13, 2006
5,770
Scottsdale, Arizona
Ahem, Chip - can you buy the suit as worn by the drivers?

Well not exactly because I’m fatter but my suit looks pretty legit to me. It’s even certified by the FIA. What is different?

Chip
 

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Last edited:

dbk

The Favor Factory™
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,187
Metro Detroit
Are all the logos there?
 

ChipBeck

GT Owner
Staff member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 13, 2006
5,770
Scottsdale, Arizona
Ok you got me, the IMSA or WEC logos can’t be purchased or used by anyone who is not actually in the series. I must point out that I didn’t figure that out on my own, I had to contact DBK to find out what was missing.

A very knowledgeable group can be a tough crowd to play to!!

Chip
 

THamonGT

GT
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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Count me in on the jacket!
 

Copenhagen GT

GT Owner
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Jun 5, 2008
1,178
Copenhagen, Denmark
That is a very cool jacket ...
 

Gene Cassone

GT Owner
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Dec 3, 2005
1,002
way upstate NY
Sharp!!! Nice going! Thanks for the effort!!
 

BIGFOOT

GT Owner
Jan 18, 2012
739
Northeast
I might need one of those. Nicely done!
 

CJ428

Farm GT
Mark II Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 21, 2008
1,473
NJ
I'm in for that one
 

Stef

GT Owner
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Apr 5, 2009
1,082
Southern California
Also interested here.
 

timcantwell

Le Mans 2010 Sponsor * Moderator
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Jan 22, 2006
2,634
N.E. OH & Naples, FL
I love it!
 

xrayman396

GT Owner
Dec 8, 2006
109
Bucks County Pa
Now That's Cool! Count me in
 

jaxgt

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jul 12, 2006
2,794
Love it. A 2XL tall would be nice, not that any of the real team drivers are near that size

:)
 

06fordgt

GT
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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Nov 8, 2006
1,908
Toronto Canada
I am in.
 

07XL0027

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
May 20, 2012
1,546
Austin TX
I was fortunate to see the jacket at Chip’s Scottsdale dinner. The white and blue color combo will go perfect with my blue and white ‘05 GT so I’m in for one. I plan on showing the jacket to my significant other while at Daytona. I can’t promise anything but if she wants one then I’ll take two.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Vince H

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 23, 2012
2,417
Southern California
Did someone say jacket? You know I'm all about the jacket. Haha! I'm in.

Vince H
 

Awsum GT

GT Owner '18
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 17, 2005
3,985
Carmel & Cntrl Ca
Ok you got me, the IMSA or WEC logos can’t be purchased or used by anyone who is not actually in the series. I must point out that I didn’t figure that out on my own, I had to contact DBK to find out what was missing.

A very knowledgeable group can be a tough crowd to play to!!

Chip

I actually have several of the IMSA patches. Haven't found any of the WEC patches.