Ford's racing GT model will come to Canada this fall, with 200 units of the supercar made available for about $200,000 apiece.
The 550-hp racer makes its debut on Canadian roads on Sunday, July 10, as the pace car for Champ Car World Series race in Toronto, and will then go to Edmonton (July 17) and Montreal (August 28) for similar duties.
"Ford GT is the ultimate legend, a true supercar that represents great moments from our past while signaling an exciting path to our future," says Joe Hinrichs, the president and CEO of Ford of Canada. "Ever since the Ford GT40 concept car was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2002, requests from Canadian car enthusiasts have been overwhelming. Now their dreams have come true."
Genuine enthusiasm will be required to buy a GT, since it will be significantly expensive when it starts rolling out of the Multimatic Inc. customizing factory in Markham. The car retails for US$128,506 south of the border, but here in Canada word around Ford's Oakville office is that it will start for about $200,000.
Anyone willing to spend that much money for the GT is probably already familiar with its particulars and its bloodlines, which are both pretty interesting. The car is of course an homage to Ford's original GT40 racecars, which won the 24-hour race in LeMans from 1966 to 1969. Indeed, their 1-2-3 finish in June of 1966 is still the highpoint of the company's racing history, and that's the mystique that Ford is trying to resuscitate with the new model.
While the new GT (the GT40 name is now owned by someone else) is probably not capable of winning any big time race series, it's certainly extremely competent by the standards of any era.
Except for most of the name and the same general appearance, the new car has very little in common with the old one. For example, it doesn't share one important dimension with the Ferrari-crushing racer of 40 years ago. Most importantly, it's a lot bigger. Specifically, the new car is more than 450 mm longer and stands nearly 100 mm taller.
Hinrichs says "The Ford GT production car casts the familiar, sleek look of its namesake, yet every dimension, every curve and every line on the car is a unique reinterpretation of the original. The car features a long front overhang reminiscent of 1960s-era race cars. However, its sweeping cowl, subtle accent lines and high-intensity-discharge headlamps strike a distinctly contemporary pose."
The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires, and in the tradition of original Ford GT racers the doors cut into the roof. "Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional scoops that channel fresh air to the engine," Hinrichs notes, "the rear wheel wells filled with 19-inch wheels and tires define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car's profile at the integrated 'ducktail' spoiler."
The interior design incorporates the novel "ventilated seats" and instrument layout of the original car, he adds, with straightforward analogue gauges and a large tachometer. Modern versions of the original car's toggle switches operate key systems.
From the back, Hinrichs says, enthusiasts of all budgets will be able to get a look at the 5.4-litre supercharged V-8 that propels the GT, with "Ford Blue" camshaft covers.
The 550-hp racer makes its debut on Canadian roads on Sunday, July 10, as the pace car for Champ Car World Series race in Toronto, and will then go to Edmonton (July 17) and Montreal (August 28) for similar duties.
"Ford GT is the ultimate legend, a true supercar that represents great moments from our past while signaling an exciting path to our future," says Joe Hinrichs, the president and CEO of Ford of Canada. "Ever since the Ford GT40 concept car was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2002, requests from Canadian car enthusiasts have been overwhelming. Now their dreams have come true."
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| Ford GT (photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Anyone willing to spend that much money for the GT is probably already familiar with its particulars and its bloodlines, which are both pretty interesting. The car is of course an homage to Ford's original GT40 racecars, which won the 24-hour race in LeMans from 1966 to 1969. Indeed, their 1-2-3 finish in June of 1966 is still the highpoint of the company's racing history, and that's the mystique that Ford is trying to resuscitate with the new model.
While the new GT (the GT40 name is now owned by someone else) is probably not capable of winning any big time race series, it's certainly extremely competent by the standards of any era.
Except for most of the name and the same general appearance, the new car has very little in common with the old one. For example, it doesn't share one important dimension with the Ferrari-crushing racer of 40 years ago. Most importantly, it's a lot bigger. Specifically, the new car is more than 450 mm longer and stands nearly 100 mm taller.
 |
| Ford GT (photo: Ford Motor Company) |
The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires, and in the tradition of original Ford GT racers the doors cut into the roof. "Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional scoops that channel fresh air to the engine," Hinrichs notes, "the rear wheel wells filled with 19-inch wheels and tires define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the front cowl rejoins and finishes the car's profile at the integrated 'ducktail' spoiler."
The interior design incorporates the novel "ventilated seats" and instrument layout of the original car, he adds, with straightforward analogue gauges and a large tachometer. Modern versions of the original car's toggle switches operate key systems.
From the back, Hinrichs says, enthusiasts of all budgets will be able to get a look at the 5.4-litre supercharged V-8 that propels the GT, with "Ford Blue" camshaft covers.