10 Things Every Enthusiast Should Know About The Ford GT

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The Ford GT is a piece of history on wheels. It was born as a tribute to a Ford classic and became a legend of the 21st century with its supercar identity and its warrior racing car style. The last relevant update was the 2020 Ford GT and that could be the beginning of the end of the history of this incredible vehicle, whose origins date back to 2005, but respond to a tradition of more than half a century. However, the Ford Mustang GT will continue its legacy, albeit differently (especially considering the price of the Ford GT).

The Price Of The Ford GT Makes It An Exclusive Vehicle

Owning a car like the Ford GT is not for everyone. Not only because there aren't too many in the world, but because it has a price tag of around $500,000, although that's just to start considering it. Some models, like the 2020 Ford GT can be worth almost $1.5 million, and that's what the farewell edition of this model that will go on sale in 2023 is expected to cost. It is a car that Ford will offer to a very exclusive portfolio of customers, so if you want to get it, you will have to get ready.

The Ford GT's Tradition As A Racing Car

The Ford GT that went on sale in 2005 is a tribute to the Ford GT40 that Ford designed in the mid-1960s to compete with the unbeatable Ferrari cars of that time. The GT40 won the Le Mans race and thus took revenge for a failed operation in which Ford had tried to buy Ferrari, but Enzo Ferrari changed his mind almost at the last minute. When that feat was about to turn forty years old, in 2005, Ford wanted to celebrate it with this car that, in addition to being a luxury car, maintains its racing car imprint.

Related: 10 Fun Facts About The Ford GT40 That You Didn't Know

The GT Continued Competing In Motorsports

Since the appearance of the first generation Ford GT in 2005, different teams used it for races in various categories. However, the highlight came in 2017 when the second-generation Ford GT returned to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and came second in a tight duel with the Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE that won the competition. Although it did not win the competition, it is clear that the potential and competitive tradition of the Ford GT is intact in its 21st-century luxury models.

A Legacy That Is Interrupted, But Never Ends

Beyond the history of the 20th century, the Ford GT we know today went on sale in 2005 as part of the company's centenary celebrations, which had occurred two years earlier. It was produced until 2006, although some special editions continued to go on sale until 2008. Then Ford resumed production of this vehicle in 2017 (with some models competing since 2016 in some races) and continued it for several years. The 2020 Ford GT was the last major update, and it is expected that this year the last of the Ford GTs we'll see driving around will be released. However, given the history of this car, perhaps we will see it again down the road.

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The Ford GT Is A Tribute To The Ford GT40

Ford's idea was to pay homage to its great champion of several decades ago and that's what it did. However, it could not name it the same and that was not a voluntary decision. When Ford stopped producing the GT40, the name was acquired by a brand that made replicas and used it until 1999, when it passed into the hands of a company that sold spare parts for these cars called Safir GT40 Spares, Ltd. In 2002, Ford began negotiations to recover the name and at first, they went quite well, but then decided to keep only the acronym GT and leave the negotiating table.

The Mustang Will Be Left To Carry The 'GT' Legacy

There is a gulf of distance between a Ford GT and a Ford Mustang GT. We're not just talking about price, a field in which the GT is more than ten times the value of the Mustang, but about the style of the car and what they represent in the world of motoring. Both are classics and have their well-earned place in museums, but now the Ford Mustang GT will have the difficult task of being the only Ford to still carry that name. Once the last Ford GT of 2023 goes on sale, there will no longer be another car at Ford that retains that rich history.

Related: The Steeda Q850 Mustang GT Is A Custom Pony Car With Supercar Credentials

The Technical Features Of A Luxury Car That Is Also A Race Car

As might be expected, the Ford GT is a car with exceptional technical features reserved for only a few cars on the market. The second generation, which we have enjoyed in recent years, features a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Turbo engine with 669 horsepower. Its top speed is over 200 mph and it is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The 2020 Ford GT update improved suspension systems, reduced weight, and changed the structure of some materials to optimize performance.

The Ambiguous Design Of The Ford GT

The tradition in which the Ford GT is inscribed and the identity that the brand tries to build through it make it a surprising car in aesthetic terms. It is a very unique two-seater, which gives the feeling of a car destined for the racetrack. The design of the cabin is discreet (although obviously luxurious in terms of performance) and the steering wheel reminds us of the images of great motor racing competitions. However, make no mistake: the Ford GT has all the characteristics of a modern and exclusive car. It is designed to be unique.

Related: The New Ford GT Lego Kit Features Moving Pistons, Independent Suspension

If You Can't Buy The Real Deal, The Lego GT Is For You

The well-known brand of games for children and adults Lego did not want to stay out of this rich tradition built by Ford around its GT model. That's why it incorporated into its Lego Technic catalog the historic car in a blue version of 1466 pieces intended for enthusiasts of the brand and the model. It is a very accurate scale replica that includes the V-6 engine, rear-wheel drive with differential, and doors that can be opened, as well as the hood. It is a good option for those who cannot otherwise access this Ford marvel.

There Are Only A Few Ford GTs In The World

When Ford started production of this car, it made 4,038 units. Special editions of just ten units each stand out: the Ford GT Roush 600RE (2007) and the Ford GT Avro Mirage 720 (2008). For the second generation, Ford planned to build 1,350 units until 2022, but it is already known that we will see at least one more model in 2023. In any case, the units sold or available worldwide do not exceed 10,000 cars, so it is clear that this is an extremely exclusive model. To this could be added the existence of the already legendary Ford GT40, but even so, the number would not grow too much.