The Ford GT began life as a concept car designed in anticipation of the automaker's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. At the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new GT40 Concept car. The chief designer of the GT worked under the guidance of J Mays. Carroll Shelby. Three pre-production cars were shown to the public in 2003 as part of Ford's centenary celebrations, and delivery of the production version called simply the Ford GT began in the fall of 2004. The Ford GT was built as part of the company's 100th anniversary celebration, the left headlight cluster was designed to read "100"