Ford GT

The Ford GT began as a concept car designed in anticipation of Ford's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. It drew heavily for inspiration on Ford's classic GT40 race cars of the 1960s.

Related Topics:
Concept car - Ford's - Mustang - Thunderbird - GT40 - 1960s

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Positive response on the auto show circuit in 2002 helped persuade the company to produce the car in limited quantities, and the first production versions appeared in 2003. It is a very high-performance, two-seater vehicle with a strong styling resemblance to its racing ancestor and performance to match. The powerplant is a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4 liter V8, producing 550 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds (678 Nm) of torque. Top speed is over 200 mph (322 km/h).

Related Topics:
Auto show - 2003 - V8

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Full production began in spring 2004, with a projected annual volume of 1500 cars for three years. The first customers took delivery in September 2004. The GT is built and painted by Saleen in a small, 180,000 ft² (17,000 m²) factory in Troy, Michigan. Installation of the engine, transmission, and interior is handled by Ford's Wixom, Michigan plant.

Related Topics:
Saleen - Troy, Michigan - Wixom, Michigan

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As with many highly desirable new vehicles, when the Ford GT was first released demand outpaced supply, and the cars initially sold for premium prices, with the first selling for over $500,000 at a charity auction and later cars selling for up to $100,000 or more over the suggested retail price ($140,000 - $157,000 depending on options). Independent sources http://www.fordgtprices.com then began gathering and analysing public information on production, sales, and selling prices, and posted that information as a resource for buyers and sellers. By June 2005 prices had dropped to $10,000 to $20,000 over MSRP, and in August 2005 several new GTs had sold on eBay for MSRP. Recognizing the ongoing demand for the car, Ford raised the base sticker by $10,000 to $149,995 in late 2005.

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