The GT is a modern take on a 60s racing icon, one that humbled Ferrari at Le Mans. It returned around the turn of the century to celebrate Ford’s centenary
by Daud Gonzalez, on
If you’re going to celebrate a birthday, how would you do it? Ford decided for their 100th anniversary they needed something special. So special, that they revived a name that had been absent for 36 years: the GT40. The end result was the Ford GT, the first true street-legal supercar from the blue oval ever.
Using the pedigree and heritage of their Le Mans-winning GT40, the Ford GT is essentially the modernized vision of the iconic racing car. With only 4,038 of these American legends made, seeing one in the flesh is a true rarity.
The first-gen Ford GT was a success and inspired Ford to create a second generation for the 2017 model year. Although the second-gen Ford GT is a technological marvel, it doesn’t hug the heartstrings like its predecessor. The first-gen Ford GT is like being in a 1960s dream where the sound of a V-8 rumbling heart, was the only thing that mattered.
TopSpeed daily videos
2005 FORD GT PERFORMANCE AND CAPABILITY
When the car that beat Ferrari at its own game is your inspiration, you know it’s going to be good. The Ford GT hearkens back to a simpler time. A time when a supercharged V-8 in the back of a race car for the road was okay and fit the Ford company narrative. After leaving a strong impression as a concept model at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Ford decided to turn that dream into a reality.
They had to work countless hours to get the original GT40 V-8 engine to be fast enough to break 200 MPH on the Mulsanne Straight. Yet, the first-gen Ford GT could do 205 MPH in its production trim. The key to that insane capability is a supercharged Modular V-8 engine. This fire-breathing marvel is an important part of what makes the Ford GT so special.
With forced induction and a 5.4-liter displacement, the GT made 550 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 500 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 RPM sent shivers down your spine even at half-throttle. A big reason why the first-gen Ford GT became the icon it is today is the way it presented that power. A six-speed manual was the only way it would remain worthy of the original race car.
There was no question that the car was fast in a straight line. Its 3.5-second 0-to-60 time was fast in 2004 and still is today. Yet, it was the experience of driving the car that earned it critical acclaim. The engine sits right behind your head visible through the rear glass. It intimidates you to give it life as it idles rumbling with menace.
Foot to the floor, the Ford GT takes you to a different universe. You may be doing 100 MPH, but it feels like 200 MPH. Triple-digit speeds are too easy to achieve and there is no incentive to drive it any other way. How could you drive a Ford GT in stealth mode? On the freeway, everybody with eyes will notice the GT whether you care about cars or not.
Hands down a driver’s car in the rawest sense. They kept all the things that made the original race car special while also making it livable. Although just like a race car, it probably won’t be the car you chooe to drive every day. Yet, when you do, it will be the best choice you’ve ever made.
| Engine | 5.4-liter Modular Supercharged V-8 |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 550 @ 6,500 RPM |
| Torque | 500 lb-ft. @ 3,750 RPM |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission |
| Drive Layout | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.5 seconds |
EXTERIOR DESIGN
It is impressive how faithful the first-gen Ford GT is to the original GT40. From a distance, the two are almost identical. The whole point of the original GT40 was that it is 40 inches in height. A roof that low could never work for a production car.
Thus, the Ford GT needed to make some compromises to make it a legitimate road car. At 44 inches roof height, Ford considered calling the Ford GT the GT44. Yet, that never happened. Even at its increased size, the roof sits almost 4.5 lower than a 2022 Mazda Miata. It is difficult to describe, just how small and low this car looks in the modern automotive landscape.
Anyway, the GT is primarily a purpose-driven car in design. Its proportions are undeniable and scream performance. The first model year Ford GT featured a mesh front grill that made it look like it came straight off the track. Later years featured an updated front fascia which made it look cleaner.
The iconic optional $5,000 racing stripes have become a desirable detail over time. The capless fuel filler and air intake ducts all flow along the body in a seamless fashion. The modernized projector headlights and LED circular taillights are a beautiful touch. Look closely and you’ll find the layout within the headlight cluster that reads 100. One of the few cars that its design alone begs you to drive and drive it fast.
| Standard Colors | Centennial White Clearcoat |
|---|---|
| Mark II Black Clearcoat | |
| Mark IV Red Clearcoat | |
| Midnight Blue Clearcoat Metallic | |
| Quick Silver Clearcoat Metallic | |
| Speed Yellow Clearcoat |
| Length | 182.8 in |
|---|---|
| Width | 76.9 in |
| Height | 44.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in |
| Track Width | 63.0 in (front) / 63.7 in (rear) |
| Cargo Space | 1 cu-ft |
INTERIOR DESIGN
The first thing that catches your eye as you open the door of the Ford GT is the seats and center console. You’ll appreciate that the cabin is a cleaner modern version of the original race car. Though not a luxurious interior by any means, its functionality is indisputable.
The seats are the same style as the original GT40 with embossed aluminum inserts. Impressive in design as they are in comfort, the GT ensures driving pleasure. Yet, this time around the seat is carbon fiber, something that didn’t exist in 1960. With the distinctive doors that also form part of the roof, you can scrape the asphalt with your hands, while sitting down. It is a cockpit in a true sense where its form follows function.
An impressive magnesium cover for the transmission tunnel immediately draws your eyes. The beautiful aluminum shift knob and A/C control dials match the silver coloration. A simple head unit is the only digital display in the car. Above it, a bright red push-to-start button begs “push me”.
Aluminum race switches for all extra features such as lighting span the bottom of the instrument cluster. Comparing a GT40 interior side by side, you’ll notice the uncanny similarities. A display of seven analog gauges from RPM to Boost Pressure reminds you of its race heritage. The speedo is actually the farthest from the driver’s direct line of sight. Ford thought, “don’t worry about the number, keep accelerating.”
2005 FORD GT PRICE, AVAILABILITY, AND OWNERSHIP
At the time of launch, the Ford GT sold for $139,995 MSRP. A limited Gulf Oil-inspired livery came as part of the $149,995 MSRP Heritage Edition. Even when these cars were new, they were an instant hit. Many early examples sold well over $200,000 as buyers were desperate to get their hands on one.
17 years later, the Ford GT is a bonafide classic and its 4,038 limited production units make it rarer by the minute. As a result, prices have more than doubled since its launch. The most expensive 2005 Ford GT in 2017 was $280,000. In 2022, an example sold for $638,000. It’s obvious that the value of these rare American legends will never decrease.
Compared to a Ferrari or Porsche of its time, the Ford GT’s performance blew both of the water. It was also $50,000 cheaper than a 2004 Ferrari Challenge Stradale. Even with the racing heritage of the 911 GT3, it stood no chance head to head against the Ford. In 2005, you would have had to spend two to three times as much to find something “better”.
Yet, regardless of price, how could you replicate the feeling of a Ford GT? The second-generation Ford GT is a different beast all together. It is an evolution of the first-generation, but distant from the raw dynamics of the GT40.
For even the wealthiest of collectors, an original GT40 is next to unobtainable. Official GT40 replicas are available from specialty distributor Superformance. Yet, if you need a stamped Ford product, the first-gen Ford GT is everything you could ask for. Few cars carry the lineage and allure of this historic Ferrari killer.