To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The
Elkhart Collection event, 23 - 24 October 2020.
Estimate:
$400,000 - $450,000
- Originally owned by "the Great One," Wayne Gretzky
- Includes copy of his original California registration
- One of only 343 Heritage editions produced for 2006
- Highly desirable, fully equipped four-option example
- Two owners from new with only 880 miles
- Accompanied by window sticker, manuals, air compressor, car
cover, and bag
As part of the Ford Motor Company centennial celebration, Ford
debuted the retro-styled GT. A modern homage to Ford's racing
heritage, the GT celebrated the highly successful GT40 program of
the 1960s, which won Le Mans an impressive four consecutive years
from 1966 to 1969. Exceedingly popular since its debut, the GT went
into production for the 2005 and 2006 model years, during which
time just 4,033 examples were produced.
In addition to the stunning design, the Ford GT featured impressive
performance. Powered by a 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 engine featuring a
Lysholm twin-screw supercharger, the GT is rated at 550 hp and 500
foot-pounds of torque. The engine is paired to a Ricardo six-speed
manual transmission featuring a helical limited-slip differential.
This driveline allows the Ford GT to achieve a 205 mph top speed
and 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds. These extraordinary performance
figures put the car in competition with other supercars of the
time, such as the Porsche Carrera GT and the Mercedes-McLaren SLR.
For the final model year, 2006, Ford introduced a limited
production Heritage edition. Finished in Heritage Blue with Epic
Orange stripes, the cars featured four white roundels to which the
owner could add a number of their liking. The rare livery was
inspired by the double-Le Mans-winning GT40 of 1968 and 1969 which
famously featured Gulf Oil sponsorship.
This 2006 Ford GT Heritage edition is a four-option example and
features the Gulf Oil-inspired Heritage racing livery, grey-painted
brake calipers, forged alloy BBS wheels, and the McIntosh AM/FM
radio with CD and subwoofer. Of the 2,011 Ford GTs produced for
2006, only 343 Heritage editions were produced for that single
year. This example holds the unique honor of having been owned new
by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and thus wears his iconic #99. A
copy of this California registration accompanies the car confirming
Mr. Gretzky's ownership. It is presumed that Mr. Gretzky enjoyed
the car for about seven years before it was acquired by the current
owner. Over the course of its life it has covered only 880 miles
and remains in original condition throughout. The GT is accompanied
by the window sticker, Ford GT certificate, manuals, air
compressor, front license plate bracket, and car cover with duffle
bag.
The Ford GT is an exceptional example of Ford's "pace car for an
entire company." This highly desirable, four-option Heritage
edition is a fine example, one made a bit more special by the fact
that it was first owned by hockey legend and all-time great Wayne
Gretzky.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.
