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Details
SOLD ON BEHALF OF THE PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
The first customer Ford GT in the world
2005 FORD GT
Chassis No. 10
Exterior paint colors and options to be selected upon auction close.
Engine: mid-engine, supercharged and intercooled DOHC V8, 5,400cc, 300ci, 500bhp at 6,500rpm; Gearbox: six-speed manual; Suspension: front and rear control arms with coil springs; Brakes: four wheel disc with ABS. Left hand drive.
In the automotive world, there are scant few opportunities to own the very first of a legend. But that is exactly the opportunity presented here, the chance to own the first production 2005 Ford GT offered for sale to the public. Chassis number 10 will be certified by Ford Motor Company as the first 2005 Ford GT sold.
The "world debut" of the new Ford GT came during Ford's Centennial event in Dearborn, Michigan, this past June. There, Ford paraded the "red, white and blue" embodied in production cars #1, #2 and #3 (all Ford-owned 2004 Ford GT production cars) - and its significance was not lost on enthusiasts. For them, the great American supercar traces its roots to the mid-1960s, when Ford fielded a purpose-built, muscular racing car to win Le Mans and other FIA endurance races.
The famed Ford GT project was spearheaded by no less a powerhouse than company Chairman and CEO Henry Ford II. His goal was to change performance car history. Sure enough, the Ford GT dethroned Italian automaker Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, placing 1-2-3 in this most prestigious of all international racing events. Until then, Ferrari had "owned" Le Mans, winning the title the six previous years. Ford went on to win again in 1967, this time with a Ford GT Mark IV driven by Americans A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney. A third Ford GT won again in 1968 and 1969.
To celebrate that great era in history while looking forward to the great years to come, the Ford GT40 concept car was created and unveiled at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. Just 45 days after the concept became an instant sensation, Ford stunned the world again, officially announcing a production version of the car. Much to the delight of supporters of the project, the production version is remarkably true to the design concept, which itself bears a strong resemblance to the original.
Although the new production car and the original race car both share the mystique of the Ford GT name, they do not share a single dimension. The new car is more than 18 inches longer and stands nearly 4 inches taller. Its new lines draw upon and refine the best features of Ford GT history and express the car's identity through modern proportion and surface development.
The car features a long front overhang reminiscent of 1960s-era race cars. But its sweeping cowl, subtle accent lines and high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlamps strike a distinctly contemporary pose.
The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. In the tradition of original Ford GT racers, the doors cut into the roof. Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional cooling scoops that channel fresh air to the engine. The rear wheel wells, filled with 19-inch wheels and tires, define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car's profile at the integrated "ducktail" spoiler.
Interior comfort considerations had two effects on the exterior styling of the Ford GT. To increase passenger headroom, the engineering team wanted to raise the roof height. However, the design team felt the low profile was an essential aspect of the Ford GT design. The engineers and design team fought for each millimeter, finally agreeing to raise the roof 17 millimeters above that of the concept. Then there was the issue of the concept's flush-mounted windows. Engineers knew that fixed windows simply would not be acceptable in a modern supercar, and drop-down windows created a packaging nightmare. A series of elaborate apertures were considered and rejected until the team sectioned the window, preserving the continuity of design and allowing the glass to drop completely into the door, snaking between the hidden side-impact beam and the concave exterior door panel.
The cantilevered doors presented yet another production challenge. Due to their size and shape, the exterior panels were too complex for traditional stamping. Thus, panels were shaped employing a super-plastic forming process that uses air pressure to force heated aluminum panels into a one-sided die. This process also enabled the team to reproduce the sweeping curves and intersecting shapes throughout the rest of the exterior, including the functional heat extractors and air intakes reminiscent of the racecars. Wind-tunnel testing, done on a fiberglass replica of the show car, proved the design had remarkably good internal airflow, but rather alarming amounts of high-speed lift. To preserve the silhouette of the show car, aerodynamic changes were limited primarily to the underside of the vehicle. As a result, a subtle rear spoiler extension, front and side splitters and dramatic venturi tunnels wrapped under the tail are the only visible changes.
The ducktailed rear clip was just as essential to the car's profile, but not as accommodating of current safety regulations. As such, designers crafted a floating bumper - punctuated by massive dual exhaust pipes - that is separate from the rear clip. The result passes federal bumper requirements without altering the tapered rear design. The rear is finished with two large, round taillights with indirect LED brake lamps and centered reverse lamps.
The interior design incorporates the novel "ventilated seats" and instrument layout of the original race car, with a comprehensive array of analog gauges and a center-mounted, oversized tachometer wrapped in aluminum bezels. Modern versions of the original car's toggle switches line the panel, controlling the headlights, foglights, dimmer switch, windshield wipers and rear defroster. The centerpiece of the interior is a brushed-magnesium tunnel, which contains the center-mounted fuel tank. A pair of deep bucket seats featuring carbon-fiber shells and leather seating surfaces flanks the tunnel. To provide ventilation, the leather seat cushions are dotted with aluminum grommets similar to those used in the vintage endurance racers. The tunnel supports a polished-aluminum emergency brake handle, rotary climate controls and a six-speed manual shift lever topped with an aluminum knob. The center console, with exposed magnesium supports, houses the AM/FM/CD audio system, starter button, airbag deactivation switch and auxiliary power point.
Looking in through the backlight, one finds the essence of the all-American sports car in Ford's MOD 5.4-liter V8 mounted amidships. The alloy-block 5.4 features aluminum four-valve heads, forged crankshaft, H-beam forged rods and aluminum pistons fed by a supercharger, all combining to make more than 500 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. These figures match or exceed those of the most powerful period GT40, a car that could handily top 200 mph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. The finishing touches include Ford blue cam covers, each featuring an aluminum coil cover imprinted with the words "Powered by Ford."
The power is put to the road through a Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle featuring a helical limited-slip differential.
Instead of steel or honeycomb-composite tubs used in the 1960s, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) developed an all-new aluminum spaceframe as the foundation for the new Ford GT. It features unequal-length control arms and coil-over spring-damper units to allow for its low profile. Braking is handled by four-piston aluminum Brembo monoblock calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine become the car's focal point. Precision-cast aluminum suspension components and 19-inch Goodyear tires - combined with the overwhelming presence of the V-8 engine - create a striking appearance and communicate the performance credentials of the Ford GT.
Only three production versions were produced for the 2004 model year to help celebrate Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary. Limited-production of about one thousand 2005 Ford GT sports cars annually begins in the spring of 2004. While the final MSRP won't be released until just before the car goes on sale, the Ford GT promises to once again beat its Ferrari rival in performance, and value! Regardless of price, there is no doubt that this two-seat, high-performance supercar will become the flagship of the Ford brand, and a prized automotive possession worthy of the Ford GT's heritage.
Available exterior colors:
White (available with Blue stripes option)
Black (available with Silver stripes option)
Blue (available with White stripes option)
Yellow (available with Black stripes option)
Red (available with White stripes option)
Silver (available with Black stripes option)
"Gulf" Blue and Orange special paint option
Additional available option content to be confirmed closer to production.
Sale proceeds over and above the reserve will be donated to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance designated charities which include The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, United Way of Monterey County, The Wheelchair Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County.
The first customer Ford GT in the world
2005 FORD GT
Chassis No. 10
Exterior paint colors and options to be selected upon auction close.
Engine: mid-engine, supercharged and intercooled DOHC V8, 5,400cc, 300ci, 500bhp at 6,500rpm; Gearbox: six-speed manual; Suspension: front and rear control arms with coil springs; Brakes: four wheel disc with ABS. Left hand drive.
In the automotive world, there are scant few opportunities to own the very first of a legend. But that is exactly the opportunity presented here, the chance to own the first production 2005 Ford GT offered for sale to the public. Chassis number 10 will be certified by Ford Motor Company as the first 2005 Ford GT sold.
The "world debut" of the new Ford GT came during Ford's Centennial event in Dearborn, Michigan, this past June. There, Ford paraded the "red, white and blue" embodied in production cars #1, #2 and #3 (all Ford-owned 2004 Ford GT production cars) - and its significance was not lost on enthusiasts. For them, the great American supercar traces its roots to the mid-1960s, when Ford fielded a purpose-built, muscular racing car to win Le Mans and other FIA endurance races.
The famed Ford GT project was spearheaded by no less a powerhouse than company Chairman and CEO Henry Ford II. His goal was to change performance car history. Sure enough, the Ford GT dethroned Italian automaker Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, placing 1-2-3 in this most prestigious of all international racing events. Until then, Ferrari had "owned" Le Mans, winning the title the six previous years. Ford went on to win again in 1967, this time with a Ford GT Mark IV driven by Americans A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney. A third Ford GT won again in 1968 and 1969.
To celebrate that great era in history while looking forward to the great years to come, the Ford GT40 concept car was created and unveiled at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. Just 45 days after the concept became an instant sensation, Ford stunned the world again, officially announcing a production version of the car. Much to the delight of supporters of the project, the production version is remarkably true to the design concept, which itself bears a strong resemblance to the original.
Although the new production car and the original race car both share the mystique of the Ford GT name, they do not share a single dimension. The new car is more than 18 inches longer and stands nearly 4 inches taller. Its new lines draw upon and refine the best features of Ford GT history and express the car's identity through modern proportion and surface development.
The car features a long front overhang reminiscent of 1960s-era race cars. But its sweeping cowl, subtle accent lines and high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlamps strike a distinctly contemporary pose.
The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. In the tradition of original Ford GT racers, the doors cut into the roof. Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional cooling scoops that channel fresh air to the engine. The rear wheel wells, filled with 19-inch wheels and tires, define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car's profile at the integrated "ducktail" spoiler.
Interior comfort considerations had two effects on the exterior styling of the Ford GT. To increase passenger headroom, the engineering team wanted to raise the roof height. However, the design team felt the low profile was an essential aspect of the Ford GT design. The engineers and design team fought for each millimeter, finally agreeing to raise the roof 17 millimeters above that of the concept. Then there was the issue of the concept's flush-mounted windows. Engineers knew that fixed windows simply would not be acceptable in a modern supercar, and drop-down windows created a packaging nightmare. A series of elaborate apertures were considered and rejected until the team sectioned the window, preserving the continuity of design and allowing the glass to drop completely into the door, snaking between the hidden side-impact beam and the concave exterior door panel.
The cantilevered doors presented yet another production challenge. Due to their size and shape, the exterior panels were too complex for traditional stamping. Thus, panels were shaped employing a super-plastic forming process that uses air pressure to force heated aluminum panels into a one-sided die. This process also enabled the team to reproduce the sweeping curves and intersecting shapes throughout the rest of the exterior, including the functional heat extractors and air intakes reminiscent of the racecars. Wind-tunnel testing, done on a fiberglass replica of the show car, proved the design had remarkably good internal airflow, but rather alarming amounts of high-speed lift. To preserve the silhouette of the show car, aerodynamic changes were limited primarily to the underside of the vehicle. As a result, a subtle rear spoiler extension, front and side splitters and dramatic venturi tunnels wrapped under the tail are the only visible changes.
The ducktailed rear clip was just as essential to the car's profile, but not as accommodating of current safety regulations. As such, designers crafted a floating bumper - punctuated by massive dual exhaust pipes - that is separate from the rear clip. The result passes federal bumper requirements without altering the tapered rear design. The rear is finished with two large, round taillights with indirect LED brake lamps and centered reverse lamps.
The interior design incorporates the novel "ventilated seats" and instrument layout of the original race car, with a comprehensive array of analog gauges and a center-mounted, oversized tachometer wrapped in aluminum bezels. Modern versions of the original car's toggle switches line the panel, controlling the headlights, foglights, dimmer switch, windshield wipers and rear defroster. The centerpiece of the interior is a brushed-magnesium tunnel, which contains the center-mounted fuel tank. A pair of deep bucket seats featuring carbon-fiber shells and leather seating surfaces flanks the tunnel. To provide ventilation, the leather seat cushions are dotted with aluminum grommets similar to those used in the vintage endurance racers. The tunnel supports a polished-aluminum emergency brake handle, rotary climate controls and a six-speed manual shift lever topped with an aluminum knob. The center console, with exposed magnesium supports, houses the AM/FM/CD audio system, starter button, airbag deactivation switch and auxiliary power point.
Looking in through the backlight, one finds the essence of the all-American sports car in Ford's MOD 5.4-liter V8 mounted amidships. The alloy-block 5.4 features aluminum four-valve heads, forged crankshaft, H-beam forged rods and aluminum pistons fed by a supercharger, all combining to make more than 500 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. These figures match or exceed those of the most powerful period GT40, a car that could handily top 200 mph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. The finishing touches include Ford blue cam covers, each featuring an aluminum coil cover imprinted with the words "Powered by Ford."
The power is put to the road through a Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle featuring a helical limited-slip differential.
Instead of steel or honeycomb-composite tubs used in the 1960s, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) developed an all-new aluminum spaceframe as the foundation for the new Ford GT. It features unequal-length control arms and coil-over spring-damper units to allow for its low profile. Braking is handled by four-piston aluminum Brembo monoblock calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine become the car's focal point. Precision-cast aluminum suspension components and 19-inch Goodyear tires - combined with the overwhelming presence of the V-8 engine - create a striking appearance and communicate the performance credentials of the Ford GT.
Only three production versions were produced for the 2004 model year to help celebrate Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary. Limited-production of about one thousand 2005 Ford GT sports cars annually begins in the spring of 2004. While the final MSRP won't be released until just before the car goes on sale, the Ford GT promises to once again beat its Ferrari rival in performance, and value! Regardless of price, there is no doubt that this two-seat, high-performance supercar will become the flagship of the Ford brand, and a prized automotive possession worthy of the Ford GT's heritage.
Available exterior colors:
White (available with Blue stripes option)
Black (available with Silver stripes option)
Blue (available with White stripes option)
Yellow (available with Black stripes option)
Red (available with White stripes option)
Silver (available with Black stripes option)
"Gulf" Blue and Orange special paint option
Additional available option content to be confirmed closer to production.
Sale proceeds over and above the reserve will be donated to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance designated charities which include The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, United Way of Monterey County, The Wheelchair Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County.