As part of its corporate centennial celebration in 2003, Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT, a mid-engine supercar inspired by the Ford GT40 racing cars that beat Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans races.
Then, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford’s initial victory at Le Mans in 1966, Ford revealed the second generation of its GT.
A very special example of that second-generation Ford GT is on the docket for GAA Classic Cars’ upcoming auction, scheduled for February 25-27 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Not only is this 2017 Ford GT presented in Heritage Edition livery inspired by that on the winning 1966 GT40 Mark II driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, but the car also is serial number 50, which the consignor secured as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of that victory at Le Mans.
What makes the car even more impressive is that it has been driven only 12 miles since new, barely enough to even accumulate any dirt on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which are held in place by titanium lug nuts.
Turning those tires is a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine linked to a 7-speed paddle-shifted dual-clutch automatic transmission. Stopping the wheels from turning are Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.
The car is equipped with Advancetrac with electronic stability control, electronic active suspension damping, even a push-button system that lifts the front of the car so it doesn’t scrape a curb entering or leaving your driveway.
To enhance performance, the car has a speed-activated splitter, a keel-deployable rear wing and an airbrake.
The interior, also in the black Heritage style, has a Formula 1-inspired steering wheel and carbon-fiber Sparco seats with manual recline, Alcantara-wrapped bolsters and dark stainless matte-painted X-bracing. The seats have 6-point harness anchors and blue Ford Performance seat belts. A tubular-steel roll cage is integrated into the cabin body shell.
The car’s exterior not only has a No. 2 hood and door graphics like the Le Mans-winning race car but an aero-optimized design featuring exposed carbon fiber and titanium exhaust.
To view this listing, visit the GAA website.
Also on the docket for the auction are:
* A 1967 GMC pickup truck formerly owned by Elvis Presley and featured on an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage and autographed by Jay Leno and Blake Shelton.
* A 1960 Chevrolet Corvette given to country music star Faith Hill as a birthday present in 1996 by her husband, country music star Tim McGraw
* A rare and certified big-block 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Pace Car.
