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Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens
A trio of 2005-06 Ford GTs ready to cross the block with No Reserve at the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Houston Auction.
Trio of Ford GT40 Mk IIs cross finish line at Le Mans 1966 – setting the stage for the Ford GTs of the future. (Photo courtesy Ford Media)
As with the original Ford GT40 of the 1960s, the 2005-06 Ford GT was the product of an immense financial investment, a lengthy yet focused design and development cycle, and methodical – more correctly relentless – testing and perfection into a more than worthy successor to the fabled Le Mans winners of 1966-69. The effort and huge expense were worth it, with the resulting Ford GT coming to market as an eagerly awaited modern classic, notwithstanding the “tech wreck” economic malaise of the early 2000s. Legions of hopeful buyers ordered the cars and snapped up Ford GT build slots with deposit checks eagerly handed over to dealers and Ford representatives. Often, the cars were purchased at significant premiums to their MSRP, all for the privilege of acquiring one of these limited-production and extremely strong performers.
The 2005-06 Ford GTs are powered by 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engines.
Designed and built to help celebrate Ford Motor Company’s landmark 2003 centennial, the Ford GT appropriately commemorated Ford’s historic 1-2-3 podium sweep in the “Ford vs Ferrari wars” at the 1966 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Successive wins at La Sarthe followed through 1969 until rule changes brought an end to the reliable V8 bruiser’s reign there. Rooted in the GT90 and GT40 concept cars shown at Detroit in 1995 and 2002 respectively, the new Ford GT program code-named “Petunia.” An unpublished major player in the project was Steve Saleen, who one month after the January 2002 Detroit Auto Show hosted Ford engineering, marketing and design teams at Saleen’s Southern California facility for a month-long session to discuss bringing the Ford GT to production reality in time for the Ford centennial, under CIA-worthy secrecy.
The design of the 2005-06 Ford GT looks sleek from any angle.
Design of the Ford GT was penned by Camilo Pardo under J. Mays at Ford’s “Living Legends” studio, with engineering and assembly performed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT). Direct development work, especially chassis and handling, was completed by none other than Carroll Shelby and his team. The GT’s proof was in its all-around performance capabilities, with a broad envelope including a factory-stated top end of 205 mph. One GT hit 209 mph flat out at Italy’s Nardo test circuit and, according to legend, Ferrari even acquired a Ford GT for testing and evaluation purposes through a third party to up its game.
Interior of the black 2006 Ford GT selling with No Reserve in Houston.
According to published sources, 4,033 GTs were built in total for the 2005 and 2006 model years combined – 2,022 for 2005 and 2,011 for the 2006 model year. As always, there is “more to the story,” and in the case of the 2005-06 Ford GT, much more, with these shattering performers closely tracked by marque enthusiasts from new and commanding purchase prices amounting to several multiples of their original cost today. In addition to its fascinating background story and development, the 2005-06 Ford GT also marks the end of an era at Ford, being the last automobile to leave Ford’s Wixom, Michigan, factory, initially built to produce the glamorous Continental Mark II back in 1956-57.
Barrett-Jackson is thrilled to offer three examples of the 2005-06 Ford GT at the September 16-18 Houston Auction – all from a single collector and all with No Reserve. All are low-mile, collection-worthy vehicles that will certainly take pride of place in any grouping that celebrates Ford’s world-beating “Total Performance” heritage.
One of 292 examples finished in iconic Mark II Black clear coat paint with a black interior, this 2006 Ford GT was completed on February 21, 2006, and factory-equipped with options that include the McIntosh AM/FM CD stereo system, lightweight forged aluminum wheels and painted racing stripes. Offered with just under 5,700 miles at the time of writing, it comes to auction with two sets of keys, books/manuals and service records. Other included items are the original Window Sticker, plus a car cover and trickle charger.
Offered with only 8,350 miles at time of writing, this 2006 Ford GT is especially sinister as finished, being one of just two stripe-delete cars finished in Speed Yellow paint. A later-production example, it is documented as having left the factory on June 9, 2006. A full-body
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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: THREE OF A KIND: These “Petunias” Beat A Straight Every Time
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2005-ford-gt-2006-ford-gts-for-sale-no-reserve-2021-houston-auction/
Published Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2021 19:42:46 +0000
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