How do you pay homage to one of the most legendary cars in the long history of a storied marque? When the first Ford GT appeared in 2004, its objective was to deliver a car that could live up to the era-defining legacy of its 1960s ancestor. And, perhaps surprisingly, Ford managed to do it with a beautifully engineered, fast, and good-looking homage to the GT40 which could claim its own place in history. Come 2016, Ford had to do it all again with the second-generation GT. Like its predecessors, that car did not disappoint on road or track. And, in a relatively short period of time, the 2005 and 2017 Ford GTs have managed to become highly regarded cars coveted by collectors.
2005 Ford GT
Estimate: $450,000 - $500,000 USD
As the true heir to the legendary GT40 from the mid-60s that knocked Ferrari off the endurance racing pedestal at Le Mans, this Ford GT is one of the truly iconic American supercars. It certainly paid respect to its predecessor and more, going on to become one of the most respected supercars of its generation. Its looks and performance made it an instant classic, but the GT has also earned a reputation for not batting an eyelid at being used every day, making it the ideal daily driver.
This Mark IV Red example, sporting a very special license plate, has an immaculate history record that includes only one owner from new, in addition to only 2,322 miles on the odometer. This wide-hipped supercharged V-8 beast was hailed as a sensation when launched and understandably so, considering it had a manual gearbox and came with a timeless design. Offered with special touches, such as the factory optioned MacIntosh stereo as well as the doors, which involve a cut out of the roof when opened. This feature paid homage to the original GT40, which originally had this to help drivers like Bruce McLaren and Ken Miles get in and out over the large sills of the MKII with greater ease.
2017 Ford GT
Estimate: $980,000 - $1,180,000 USD
The second-generation Ford GT was built by Ford less to pay homage to the GT40 and more so to go racing; specifically, to win the 24 hours of Le Mans, 50 years after the original GT40 won there for the first time in 1966. With features like two enormous flying buttresses down each side of the car to aid aero, enormous Brembo carbon ceramic brakes sitting behind the carbon fibre spokes, and an F1-style wheel with all the controls at the reach of a finger, everything about this car is built for maximum performance.
The example seen here in gorgeous Liquid Red Tri-Coat paint has a mere 137 miles on the clock, highlighting that it is being offered in as-new condition, with its build photos and documentation to match. Offered with its racing-style 7 speed dual-clutch transmission, and over $60,000 worth of options, this is truly one of the finest examples of this highly revered modern-day supercar. Opportunities to acquire a single-owner example with so few miles are few and far between, and serial number H109 could be your chance to add one to your collection.
But why add just one when you could add both remarkable examples to your garage. Make the most of the opportunity to bid on each of them online at RM Sotheby’s online auction, Sand Lots, happening between 25 May and 1 June.
