Intro
What can be said about the Ford GT that it hasn’t already said itself? Manufactured to celebrate Ford’s 100th anniversary and designed to pay homage to one of the greatest endurance racing cars of all time, the Ford GT has confidently blazed its own trail since the first design sketches were put to paper. While many famous classic cars have been updated for modern-day re-releases, the Mk 1 Ford GT (2005-2006) stands head and shoulders above the rest for staying true to the old design cues while tastefully reviving a 1960’s race icon for the modern era. The Ford GT is a motorsport legend that changed the way the world perceived American cars.
Interior
Both outside and in, the GT shows the true colours of its racing heritage. The cockpit of the vehicle is very clearly designed to accommodate the driver in every way possible. Everything from the gauges to the gear lever is angled towards the driver’s seat. Vented racing seats firmly keep the driver in place while providing an excellent driving position and a relatively unobstructed view. The aforementioned gear lever has a satisfying short throw and is surprisingly easy to shift as you can work your way through the gears with just one finger. Below the black and white gauges, many of the car’s functions are operated with bold metallic switches, just like the layout on the GT40’s from the ’60s. Typically lots of plastic on the interior of a vehicle is a bit of a disappointment but in this case, its something to be very excited about. Plastic shipping covers can still be found on the wheel, running boards, floors and seats as this car has been preserved in brand-new condition and only shows 4km on the odometer. A true time-capsule, this might be the lowest mileage 2006 Ford GT on the planet!
Exterior
If the format allowed it, here is where we would put a video clip of a standing ovation and leave it at that. What Camillo Pardo was able to accomplish by not letting artistic ego get in the way, was and still is a truly stunning homage to an iconic racecar that deserves nothing less. The story of the partnership between Carrol Shelby and Henry Ford II is a truly amazing slice of automotive lore that you have surely heard already. Many gearheads consider Shelby to be an American hero for what he was able to create out of the Lola race car Henry Ford handed him. A huge part of the evolution from the Lola to the GT40 was a focus on improved airflow. For the redesign, Camillo Pardo expanded on this idea and turned up the aggression, giving the GT larger ventilation and an even larger, wider stance than its predecessor. Without changing much else Pardo was able to bring a 60’s race car back to life on the streets of the 21st century, a feat that has proved this car’s design will stand the test of time for decades to come. Once again, the quality of this particular GT can not be understated. While this car is most certainly at home on the race track, the absolute immaculate quality of this delivery mile vehicle would prove to be a centrepiece for any museum or private collection as well.
Mechanics
The 2006 Ford GT gets its power from a 5.4L supercharged V8. Many dismiss the engine, saying it's taken from a Ford Lightning, and while they share many similarities when comparing the engines side by side there are actually many stark contrasts. For starters the GT engine was all aluminium. It also had more valves, dual fuel injectors, a dry sump system and piston skirt oil squirters. This amounted to a 5.4L longitudinal rear mounted V8 with a power output of 550 hp at 6,500 rpm and 500 lb/ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. This makes the Ford GT capable of doing 330 km/h (205mph) with a 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) in just 3.8 seconds.
Conclusion
While this car is perfectly capable of speaking volumes for itself, it’s also the type of vehicle that inspires conversation. So very infrequently are we the customers given the chance to enjoy the manifestation of truly radical concepts like the Ford GT. In a world where practicality and emissions controls continue to tighten their chokehold on automotive regulations, cars like the Ford GT are a supercharged blast of fresh air. Inspiring emotions that are akin to listening to The Stooges for the first time, the Ford GT is a blue collar working-class hero, built to do battle with the blue-blooded automotive aristocracy
