2005 Ford GT

The Ford GT

The small group of modern supercars capable of exceeding 200 mph is an exclusive club, and very few members claim the pedigree of the Ford GT, which was unveiled in concept form at the Detroit Motor Show in 2002. The GT was, of course, a tribute to Ford’s Le Mans-winning GT40, which won the famed endurance race four consecutive times in the late 1960s.

One month after the Detroit debut, Ford brass met with Steve Saleen, the Southern California-based tuner whose Saleen Mustangs had been so successful in recent years. With an agreement to move forward with the project, Saleen assigned his finest engineer, Neil Hannemann, to supervise build of the initial prototypes, which were completed in time for Ford’s 100th anniversary celebration in June 2003.

A supercharged 5.4-liter aluminum V-8 was fitted behind the driver’s seat, providing 500 hp and 500 lbs./ft of torque, which propelled the GT to 60 mph from standstill in just 3.5 seconds. The GT’s interior was as much a throwback to the original race car as the car’s exterior styling, with a similar dashboard design and seats ventilated with grommeted holes. A short-throw shifter provided quick navigation of a long-legged six-speed gearbox that truly capitalized on the V-8’s potential.

Entering production in late 2004, the GT initially experienced a significant price markup at dealerships, the first suggestion of its long-term collectability. Just 4,038 examples were eventually produced before the model was discontinued two years later. A stunning and aesthetically faithful tribute to the legendary GT40, the Ford GT is one of a few true American supercar classics, delivering overwhelming performance while challenging the best European designs with its heritage-rich styling.

This Car

This minimally used Ford GT is finished in Centennial White paint and is appointed with a black leather interior. It was desirably optioned at the factory with lightweight BBS forged aluminum wheels, gray-painted brake calipers, and racing stripes. Also equipped with air-conditioning and a McIntosh sound system with CD player, four-channel amplifier, and a subwoofer, this arresting Ford GT was previously owned by well-known collector Richard Sher of Connecticut.

More recently acquired by the consignor, this beautiful Ford displays less than 600 miles, suggesting that it offers an invigorating future of exuberant high-torque motoring. This GT is ideally suited for Ford commemorative events and supercar gatherings, and would complement the most distinguished collections, particularly assemblages of American muscle or modern exotic performance machines.