Auctions

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2021

Kevin Hart's Custom 1977 Ford Bronco Being Offered at Bar...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson Auction Company – This one-of-a-kind 1977 Ford Bronco 4x4 was designed and built for actor/comedian Kevin Hart. Featured on Jay Leno's television show "Jay's Garage," this notable Bronco is powered by an updated fuel-injected 302ci V8 engine mated to 3-speed automatic transmission and a Dana twin-stick transfer case. Fuel and air combustion is aided by a Crane electronic ignition powered by an Optima battery hidden under the front seat, while spent combustion exits through an Ardent Performance custom exhaust featuring MagnaFlow mufflers offering a perfect throttle rumble. Keeping everything nice and cool is a custom aluminum radiator and a free-flowing K&N intake air filter element. The menacing stance comes from a highly modified suspension package, including lift kit, King coilover shocks with red springs, 35-inch Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires on color-matched 17-inch Fuel wheels with matching spare mounted on a custom rear swing-away carrier. Handling is a breeze with new bushings, power steering, tilt column, billet three-spoke steering wheel and black billet Lokar pedals. The Wilwood master cylinder brings it all to a stop, with power disc brakes and black calipers in all four corners. Custom reclining front bucket seats, back bench, door panels, dash and roll bar pads have all been professionally upholstered in black leather accented with red stitching. The body matching roll cage and retracting 3-point seatbelts were added for safety. The aftermarket bumpers are outfitted with black tow hooks, trailer hitch receiver, heavy duty 9,500-pound WARN winch, and two Rigid LED pods in the front and one in the rear. To keep with the color scheme, LED headlights, Bronco Sport emblems, billet window cranks, billet rearview mirror, door handles, locks, side mirrors and fender flares were all added in black. This is all complemented by an AutoMeter LED speedometer in the dash and custom console with Lokar shifter, LED rocker switches and AutoMeter gauges for fuel, voltage, coolant and transmission fluid readings. The center console has a matching leather-upholstered arm pad and houses a Bluetooth/USB/Pandora Kenwood head unit that is connected to four JL Audio speakers and 10-inch subwoofer, all housed in custom-built panels powered by a hidden Alpine amp. Odometer shows just 700 miles since completion; actual miles are unknown. A new black Bestop soft-top is included with this well-executed Resto-Mod. Kevin Hart’s 1977 Ford Bronco Custom SUV with be selling with No Reserve during the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, June 17-19. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – May 01, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: The 1969 Ford Bronco 'Big Oly'

Presented by Mecum Auctions - It’s fondly known as “Big Oly”—one very special vehicle that has rightfully earned the moniker of the world’s most famous Ford Bronco—and it’s now slated to cross the Mecum auction block at Dana Mecum’s 34th Original Spring Classic this May 14-22 in Indianapolis. Based on a 1969 Bronco and with sponsorship in place from Olympia Brewing Company, Big Oly is among the most memorable in the history of motorsports. It was driven by the iconic Parnelli Jones, a man who unquestionably enjoyed pet names for his racing vehicles. Jones was made famous driving a car named “Ol’ Calhoun,” his faithful Watson-Offenhauser racer in which he broke the elusive 150 MPH barrier and won the Indianapolis 500. In this case, the name Big Oly certainly fit Jones’ rough and tumble persona. It all started with a simple dare. Jones was a Ford man. Bill Stroppe was a Ford man. After seeing his share of racing tragedies, Jones had become more selective about what he would race, giving up the Indianapolis 500 after a heartbreaking effort that left him less than four laps from victory in the groundbreaking Andy Granatelli-run STP Turbine. It was Jones’ newfound selectivity that led him to turn down an opportunity to run with Stroppe at the Baja 1000; but Stroppe wasn’t one to take a refusal lightly. He told some friends at a party in late 1967 that “Jones wasn’t man enough for off-road racing.” “It was like showing a red cape to a bull,” Jones would later say. Stroppe and Jones already had a long and storied history in racing. In 1964, Jones won eight races driving for Stroppe on his way to a USAC Stock Car title and captured back-to-back stock car wins at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1963-64. After an attempt at the Baja 1000 in a mostly stock Bronco in 1968, Jones knew he needed something better to win the event, and he used all the ideas in his fertile mind to come up with what would become the most special Bronco of them all: Big Oly. Jones shared his innovative ideas with trusted Stroppe mechanic Dick Russell. Russell decided they would take Big Oly to his garage to build a faster and stronger lightweight Bronco with a tube frame and body made of fiberglass and aluminum. Initially, Stroppe was upset at the two for going behind his back. In fact, Jones had to go out of his way to calm Stroppe down. After he cooled his jets and saw the innovative ideas on the unfinished build, Stroppe knew the Bronco had to be completed at his race shop. Big Oly forever changed the design principles and construction for off-road racers. Powered by a 351/390 HP Ford Windsor V-8 engine mated to a modified Ford C6 B&M hydro transmission and sporting two 22-gallon fuel cells, it was the stuff of dreams. Featuring a chrome moly space frame, fiberglass and aluminum bodywork with extreme shock absorber and suspension travel, a big wing on top, a split windshield to reduce dust in the cockpit, and a spool rear end for better traction, Big Oly was a sensation right from the beginning. The 154-inch-long, 72-inch-wide vehicle had a dry weight of merely 2,620 pounds, making it lighter than some small sports cars of the day. The entire build was meant to push boundaries. A roof was required, so why not make it a giant wing? It was an idea that Jones came up with that just happened to precede the common practice on today’s World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. The split windshield was something Jones had used in the past on dirt tracks and thought it would be particularly effective in an off-road setting. He was right. The lightweight and strong materials were derived from the expertise Jones had picked up during his days in Indy Car racing. Big Oly even had two integrated thermos jugs for storing water in order to keep Jones and Stroppe well-hydrated behind the wheel. By the time Big Oly was ready for its inaugural run at the Baja 1000 in 1970, Jones had become a very successful businessman. He had partnered with his longtime friend Vel Miletich in a Southern California Ford dealership, as well Firestone tire stores and distribution, and the two formed the all-conquering Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing. The race team won the 1970 and 1971 Indianapolis 500s, captured three consecutive Indy Car championships and, in the next few years, would race at the front of the pack in categories as diverse as Formula 1, Formula 5000, NHRA drag racing, USAC Championship Dirt Cars and Sprint Cars. They were the gold standard of the motorsport world. Baja was clearly not something Jones needed to do, but his competitive spirit to win at everything drove him forward nonetheless. After breaking an axle in its first try in the 1970 Baja 1000—a race in which Jones admits he simply pushed too hard for the conditions of the course—Big Oly went on to ruthlessly dominate off-road racing for the next few years, winning the Baja 1000 in 1971 and 1972, and the Baja 500 and Mint 400 in 1973. The inaugural win for Big Oly at the Baja 1000 in 1971 was achieved with an amazing time of 14 hours 59 minutes, leaving even the fastest of motorcycles in the dust on the route from Enseda to La Paz in the Mexican peninsula of Baja California. Scoring an overall win in Big Oly was incredible and something that further burnished Jones’ reputation as a man who could win any race, on any course, in any vehicle. One year later, the race course was changed, as this time the Baja 1000 ran a different route of the Baja California peninsula from Mexicali to La Paz. Big Oly would duplicate its feat of a year ago, but not without some high drama near the finish. In the interest of efficiency, Stroppe had hired some local kids to help with refueling along the way. At the race’s final checkpoint, about 100 miles from the finish, one of the youngsters mistakenly poured gasoline in the one of the thermos jugs. Take one look at the contraptions on the back of Big Oly, and it’s not hard to see why this mistake happened. Realizing what had happened almost immediately, Jones thought he might still make it to the end, but stalled about 15 miles from the finish line. He and Stroppe were stranded, and the situation looked dire. As if from the heavens above, two locals driving a dimly lit Volkswagen happened upon Jones and Stroppe. Jones made a quick deal to buy a bottle of tequila that accompanied them on the journey as well as some gasoline in exchange for a $20 bill. There was much sadness all around, as Jones immediately poured the tequila out onto the dirt. He then took the Volkswagen’s windshield wiper hose and started siphoning gasoline out of its tank into the tequila bottle. After repeating this process about 15 times, it turned out to be enough to get Big Oly going and, to the amazement of everyone, to win the race for a second consecutive year. Jones’ quick thinking with the tequila bottle was matched by Stroppe’s ingenuity in the form of an analog GPS system. A backlit tablet containing a hand-operated scroll of maps meticulously drawn by prerace runs of the course made by Stroppe, the contraption gave the duo unmatched details about the route. It accomplished most of what a modern GPS system in a car of today does, minus the real-time updates. The analog GPS was a simple but brilliant tool that worked as well at night as it did during the day thanks to its backlit feature. Big Oly’s string of successes would continue, as it went on to score wins in the Baja 500 and the Mint 400 in 1973. It’s hard to put into words the mental fatigue that sets in on long-distance off-road races, where one simple mistake can undo hours upon hours of fine driving, making the record of Big Oly with Jones and Stroppe nothing short of sterling. Since those glory days, when Big Oly wasn’t residing at the Vel’s Parnelli Jones race shop, it was out being treated with the regality it deserves. Big Oly has been on display in Ford’s hometown of Dearborn, Michigan, at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and all over its home state of California. In fact, former Mexican president Vicente Fox Quesada once took a seat inside Big Oly, as if to demonstrate just how important the vehicle is in the country where it scored its greatest triumphs. Driven by one of the most iconic racers in the sport’s history, Parnelli Jones, who teamed with his long-time compatriot Bill Stroppe for all of its big successes, Big Oly stands alone as the world’s most famous Ford Bronco, and it’s now ready for the next chapter in its storied history as it heads for the Mecum auction block this May in Indianapolis. Big Oly will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

By Edward Jones – April 27, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: One-Off 2020 Ford GT MkII With Ken Miles...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Ford added the latest chapter to its marvelous racing history in 2016, when the second-generation GT scored a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 60th anniversary of the company’s first win there in 1966. The win recalled the dominating drive by Ken Miles in the No. 1 GT40 MkII that ended in a dead heat and robbed the talented English expatriate of a sure Triple Crown in that year’s FIA Manufacturers Championship after outright wins at Daytona and Sebring. To honor the spirited Miles—who was also Carroll Shelby’s close friend, Shelby American’s Competition Director and a supremely gifted driver/engineer—this 2020 Ford GT MkII, one of just 45 slated for production, exists as the only one finished in the livery worn by Miles’ legendary Le Mans racer. And with just 15 miles on the odometer, it is virtually brand new. Resurrecting the name of a historically momentous race car is a serious business for any automobile manufacturer, especially when the inspiration is the very car that knocked Ferrari off the throne it had occupied for years in dominating the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That car, of course, was the legendary Ford GT40 MkII, three of which rolled across the finish line in formation to complete a controversial dead-heat sweep of the 1966 French endurance classic. The MkII’s 1966 victory began a four-year consecutive overall win record for the GT40 that broke Ferrari’s stranglehold on Le Mans once and for all, to this very day. That’s a tough act to follow, but 40 years later Ford revived the concept with the brilliantly designed and executed 2005-06 GT that paid its respects to the original with blistering performance born of sophisticated technology and brute power. A decade later, Ford returned to the well to produce its latest and greatest GT, a car designed first and foremost to win the LM GTE-Pro class in the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. The all-new GT fulfilled its mission when Chip Ganassi Racing’s entries took four of the top 10 spots, including first and third places. Of course, homologation rules requiring a minimum number of street-legal cars resulted in the most advanced road-going Ford ever in the form of the third-generation GT. But Ford and its partners at Multimatic, the Oshawa, Ontario, advanced engineering firm that manufactures the GT, were not finished. At the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the two companies revealed the limited-edition GT MkII—the most advanced and exclusive Ford Track Car in the company’s 118-year history. Unencumbered by road or racing rules, regulations and limitations of any kind, Ford and Multimatic unleashed the full performance potential of the GT, already a supercar by any definition and loaded with advanced racing technology from the outset. Like any great concept, the GT’s fundamentals remain intact: a hand-crafted carbon fiber chassis and body with integrated roll cage; F1-inspired wishbone suspension with pushrod-actuated shocks; carbon-ceramic disc brakes and the compact but powerful EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. To begin the transformation to unbridled track monster, Multimatic shaved 200 pounds from the GT, most of it by dispensing with the adjustable ride height equipment and specifying its own five-way adjustable race-derived DSSV dampers with blow-off to eliminate harsh ride feel at high speeds. The MkII retains the GT’s 15.5-inch front and 14.1-inch rear Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors, but unique 19-inch Forgeline forged alloy wheels were paired with super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport GT racing slicks. FIA Le Mans regulations held the racing GTs V-6 to 500 HP, while the road version makes 647; with no government or sanctioning body rules to hold them back, Ford Performance power engineers extracted another 50 HP from the MkII version for a full 700 HP and even more torque than the GT’s 550 lb-ft. The GT’s superb Ricardo 7-speed transmission is replaced with a unique Getrag 8-speed dual-clutch unit for more flexibility in the widely varying track conditions the MkII will encounter. Such prodigious power in a car weighing just 2,850 pounds requires every aerodynamic trick in the book to keep it under control at the speeds of which the MkII is capable and, once again, the absence of rules gave Ford and Multimatic engineers free reign to capitalize on their experience at the highest levels of motorsport. First, they dispensed with the road GT’s articulated rear wing—which flips up during high-speed braking to add extra stopping and stabilizing power—and replaced it with a massive fixed dual-element wing that adds 250 pounds more downforce than the wing used on the 2016 Le Mans-winning race GT and would be illegal in any sanctioned racing series. Louvered carbon-fiber vents in the front fenders decrease front-end lift in concert with a huge front splitter developed for the Le Mans racer but that also proved illegal. The full Le Mans rear diffuser, a redesigned floor pan and front dive planes also made their way to the MkII. With the ride height set at just 56mm, these modifications produce approximately 1,900 pounds of downforce, some 350 more than the Le Mans car. With the additional grip provided by the racing Michelins, the MkII is capable of generating well over 2 Gs of lateral acceleration. For more efficient cooling, the MkII’s EcoBoost V-6 features a high-capacity air-to-air outboard-mounted charge air cooler with water spray technology and a roof-mounted air intake to feed the auxiliary engine, clutch and transmission coolers. The race-engineered cockpit is a driver’s Nirvana, offering a multifunction racing-style wheel, FIA-compliant roll cage, Sparco driver and optional passenger seats with six-point harnesses, a refrigerant system for the driver’s suit and a MoTeC data acquisition unit that doubles as a monitor for the rear-view camera. With production limited to just 45 examples over a three-year period, the Ford GT MkII is already one of the most exclusive automobiles in the world, one that, in Ford’s words, “unleashes the full performance potential of the Ford GT without any artificial performance limitations dictated by racing sanctioning bodies … It’s the closest GT owners can get to the Le Mans-winning performance and exhilarating feeling of crossing the finish line in the Ford GT race car." We like to think that Ken Miles would have loved it. This Ford GT MkII will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 19, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: Triple-Yellow 2018 Ford GT

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Five decades after Ford’s GT40 dominated endurance racing and nearly one decade after the last second-generation Ford GT left Ford’s facilities in Wixom, Michigan, the latest Ford GT debuted at the January 2015 North American Auto Show. Development of road models was conducted in parallel with the Chip Ganassi Racing/Multimatic racing cars that won class and finished third, fourth and ninth overall at Le Mans in 2016. Essentially a race car with a license plate, the new Ford GT features high-tech materials, cutting-edge construction and advanced technologies throughout. Manufacture of road models is carried out by Multimatic at a purpose-built, low-volume facility in Markham, Ontario, where the first Ford GT road car was completed on December 16, 2016. Featuring far too many features to fully list, this 2018 Ford GT is a one-owner car with just 1,665 miles and finished in stunning Triple Yellow livery, a $5,000 option that is complemented by optional Shadow Black painted over-the-top stripes costing $10,000 extra. Based on a competition-type carbon-fiber monocoque, the GT’s compact body delivers minimal aerodynamic drag and stands just 43.7 inches tall. Active multi-mode suspension includes competition-style pushrod-actuated dampers, and sections of an FIA-legal roll cage are integrated into the GT’s roof for incredible rigidity. Exuding a teardrop shape from above, the GT’s main body tapers sharply to the rear, and built-in aero features deliver useful downforce at speed. Flying buttresses direct cooler air into the engine, pontoon-style rear fenders are in the mold of track-only Le Mans prototypes, and the rear wing automatically adjusts itself. Power is provided by a 3.5L twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC EcoBoost V-6 engine developing 647 HP, harnessed by a paddle-shifted Getrag 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission/transaxle, yielding 0-60 MPH acceleration in 3.0 seconds and 216 MPH flat out. Hydraulic steering, huge Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes, super-light 20-inch carbon fiber 10-spoke wheels secured by titanium nuts, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and intense LED headlamps round out the GT’s many highlights. Switched into Race mode for track duty, the GT delivers sharper response to throttle inputs, less-sensitive traction- and stability-control programming, lower ride height and stiffer underpinnings, plus noticeably firmer shifts. The passenger compartment features black Sparco Alcantara-trimmed carbon fiber racing seats, a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth and Sync 3 infotainment system. Another world-beating Ford GT, this stunning Triple Yellow example from 2018 is a design and engineering tour de force in every possible respect. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2020

Mecum Auctioning Off Optioned-Out Speed Yellow 2005 Ford GT

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Designed and built to help celebrate Ford Motor Company’s landmark 2003 centennial, the Ford GT also commemorated Ford’s historic 1-2-3 podium sweep in the Ford vs. Ferrari wars at the 1966 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rooted in the GT90 and GT40 concept cars shown at Detroit in 1995 and 2002 respectively, the Ford GT program was far more than a throwback to a glorious past. While echoing the basic layout and iconic design cues of the GT40, the new Ford GT utilized modern, state-of-the-art engineering, materials and construction to deliver even greater performance than its legendary forebear. Design 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) and direct development work completed by none other than Carroll Shelby and his team. According to published sources, 4,033 GTs were built in total for the 2005 and 2006 model years, with this example being No. 320 of the 2,022 produced for 2005. This GT features all four factory-available options, including the audiophile-quality McIntosh stereo system and lightweight forged aluminum BBS wheels, and it is one of just 19 Speed Yellow cars produced for 2005 with full Le Mans stripes and gray-painted brake calipers. Following production, it was delivered to Lee Sapp Ford-Mercury in Ashland, Nebraska, for eventual sale. Race-bred engineering includes an aluminum 5.4L V-8 engine belting out a factory-rated 550 HP with electronic multi-port fuel injection, a Lysholm screw-type supercharger, intercooler and stainless dual exhaust. Other competition-derived engineering features include a Ricardo 6-speed rear transaxle, extruded aluminum space frame, precision-cast aluminum double-wishbone “SLA” suspension with coilovers, dry-sump engine lubrication and big 4-wheel Brembo ventilated disc brakes with 4-piston calipers. While capable of astounding performance in every discipline, including 205 MPH top-speed capability, this 2005 Ford GT is a proper road car with a wide array of comfort and convenience features including air conditioning, heat insulation, tilt and telescopic steering and Ebony leather-trimmed seats with carbon fiber structure. Accompanied at auction by the original window sticker, this rare and highly equipped “four option” 2005 Ford GT has only been lightly used since new with just 7,100 miles, and it stands as one of the most collectible examples of the brilliant 2005-06 Ford GT currently available. View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: 2018 Ford GT '67 Heritage Edition

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Ford followed up on the wildly successful introduction of its second-generation GT in 2005 by returning to the historical well for special Heritage Edition liveries recalling the 1966 Le Mans-winning MkII’s pairing of black paint with silver stripes and the orange-on-blue Gulf-sponsored GT40 that scored back-to-back wins at the Sarthe in 1968-69. In 2018, Ford issued the ’67 Heritage Edition, designed to commemorate the 1967 Le Mans win captured by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt in the Shelby-American Ford GT40 MkIV, the first all-American team to take the overall win at Le Mans. Chassis No. 174, this 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition showcases the third-generation GT’s incredible technology and engineering. Based on a carbon-fiber monocoque with an integrated steel roll cage and aluminum substructure, its carbon-fiber passenger cell is enclosed in a wind-sculpted outer shell incorporating active aerodynamics in the form of a deployable rear wing that also acts as an air brake. Its mid-mounted 3.5L DOHC 24-valve EcoBoost engine features twin turbochargers and intercoolers, as well as Akrapovic exhaust, blasting 647 HP through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and propelling the GT to 60 MPH in 2.8 seconds, topping out at an honest 218 MPH. The ’67 Heritage Edition livery features a glossy Race Red exterior finish with painted white stripes and Frozen White No. 1 hood and door graphics inspired by the Gurney-Foyt original and the exposed gloss carbon-fiber trim option. One-piece 20-inch forged aluminum wheels in Satin Silver/Carbon clear coat with black lug nuts, red calipers and silver rearview mirror caps complete the exterior treatment. The exclusive interior features Ebony Alcantara headliner and pillar coverings, red six-point seatbelts and ebony leather-wrapped carbon fiber seats with red accent stitched inserts inspired by the winning car of 1967. Satin Dark stainless appliques appear on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace. The fully adjustable, multi-function F1-styled steering wheel is wrapped in ebony leather with red accent stitching, a leather-wrapped horn pad with embossed GT logo and silver shift paddles. A 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster, 6.5-inch touch screen with navigation, Bluetooth and Sync 3 infotainment system round out the interior appointments in this extraordinary, museum-quality 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition. This vehicle will be auctioned at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 30, 2019

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020: Ford GT Heaven

Presented by Barrett-Jackson - Those attending the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction are in for one massive surprise. Altogether, there will be 11 different Ford GTs heading to the auction block. What's more, they will be auctioned off with no reserve. If you've been looking for one of these incredible American supercars, it would be a huge miss if you didn't check out their selection. Below are just seven of the Ford GTs they will be offering. For the rest, click here. This Ford GT was built early in the 2005 production run. It is being offered by Neil Ressler, a key executive in Ford Product Development. This car has 4,100 actual miles, has spent its whole life in an air-conditioned garage and it has never been on a racetrack. This GT includes all documents from the factory initial build and subsequent service. Also included are team clothing and a team book, that were only available to team members. view listing This is a four-option car with its original Window Sticker, Bill of Sale and more. The body and paint condition are showroom-fresh, thanks to careful driving and meticulous collector ownership. Inside, the interior is likewise as-new and features the McIntosh high-end audio system. This GT has 4,812 actual miles. view listing This 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition is one of 343 produced and is powered by a 5.4-liter DOHC 32-valve supercharged V8 engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The GT was built to celebrate Ford Motor Company’s 100-year anniversary. view listing One-owner 2017 Ford GT with no seller restrictions. This GT is #H105 with 538 actual miles, and has $82,250 in optional equipment. The car is powered by 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission. It features the $30,000 Extended Color Palette 2 option, which provides a Verde Mantis exterior finish. The $15,000 Extended Carbon Fiber Package has been added as well. Inside the GT features the Dark Energy Interior Package (at a cost of $25,000), and it includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Included as well are a clear bra protective coating, ceramic paint protection and custom protective screens that prevent debris from hitting the front tires. It rides on 20-inch exposed carbon wheels, which are a $15,000 upgrade from the factory. view listing Listed in the definitive reference book published by the SVT Owners Association, "Ford GT 2005-2006: The Complete Owners Experience," this 2005 Ford GT is the third car completed by VIN (suffix 00003) and the lowest-production VIN ever offered to the public for sale. Completed on June 29, 2004, Car #00003 was equipped with three of the four factory-available options, including BBS lightweight forged aluminum wheels, painted brake calipers and the audiophile-quality McIntosh stereo system; only the painted upper racing stripes were omitted, lending an exceptionally clean overall look to this true modern supercar. #00003 remained in Ford's ownership until this very special Ford GT was acquired by renowned collector Ron Pratte prior to joining the Scott Thomas Collection in 2015. view listing This Ford GT features over $50,000 in options. The exterior is finished in Liquid Red paint with Frozen White racing stripes and accented with matte-finish carbon-fiber components courtesy of the extended Carbon Fiber Package. The interior features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and the Dark Energy Interior Package upgrade, as well as factory-installed 6-point harness mounting points. The GT rides on 20-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels with the optional titanium lug nuts wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and framing silver-painted brake calipers. view listing This 2006 Ford GT is a fully documented, one-owner example of Ford's second-generation GT with 1,111 actual miles (mileage not indicated on the title). It is one of 31 finished in yellow with black calipers out of a total production run of 2,011. It has all four options, including factory black stripes, McIntosh stereo, forged wheels and black painted brake calipers. view listing Presented by Barrett-Jackson Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Barrett-Jackson produces The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; the Northeast at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun and Las Vegas, Nevada, where hundreds of the most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles cross the block in front of a global audience.Barrett-Jackson.com

By Edward Jones – December 13, 2019

You Could Own One of the Original "Eleanor" Mustangs

Presented by Mecum Auctions - In 1995, the idea began circulating about remaking H.B. "Toby" Halicki's legendary 1974 film, “Gone in 60 Seconds,” but polishing it up and heightening the experience. Enlisting Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer, Halicki’s widow, Denise, entered into a licensing agreement to produce the remake with Denise acting as the executive producer. Filming began in 1999 and “Gone in 60 Seconds” premiered on June 9, 2000, with an all-star cast including Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Robert Duvall and Will Patton among many other gifted actors blending with edgy cinematography, spectacular stunt work, a tremendous musical score and a revised story from the original with a lot of heart wrapped in tough packaging. VIEW LISTING AND MORE Like the original, the film depicts a band of car thieves led by Memphis Raines (Cage) out to score an impossible heist of 50 cars in just several hours. As in the original, for identification purposes, each car was given a lady’s name to keep the cars under the radar while the crew communicated on radios with transmissions that could be heard by others, including police. The movie was packed with an array of stunning and stellar cars, but it was a 1967 Ford Mustang GT500 in Pepper Gray Metallic with black stripes riding on Halibrand-style wheels with a host of subtle and not-so-subtle enhancements that would become the hero car and an instant dream car—this was Eleanor. Sketched by Steve Stanford, Eleanor’s design was refined and crafted by Chip Foose, who implemented what he thought Carroll Shelby would want to see as a modern-day GT500. It’s rumored Bruckheimer wanted Eleanor to be black with gray stripes and that a painter mixed up the order, creating the gray with black stripe motif that became so famous. Cinema Vehicle Services in North Hollywood, California, was brought in to build 11 cars for production, and according to the studio car list, this Eleanor is labeled as “The Dream Car.” Used for a number of interior and exterior sequences including the chase scenes through the shipyard, city and along the Los Angeles River, this is the car that made Eleanor a household name, rocketing her into the imaginations of car guys all over the world. This is the car that outran a helicopter. This is the car that rocked the theater sound system with her ferocious exhaust. This is the car that Memphis Raines is scared of. She even has the famous Hurst shifter with the “Go-Baby-Go” button and daringly beautiful 18-rivet French-made Lecarra wood-rimmed steering wheel. Cinema Vehicle Services recently performed a full rotisserie restoration on Eleanor and has cruised with her for approximately 90 miles since the completion. Powered by a blueprinted HiPo 351 CI V-8 engine topped with aluminum heads and an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, a roller camshaft, headers with stainless side-exit exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers, and an MSD ignition system are just part of the powertrain make up. A Tremec TKO 5-speed manual transmission and a hydraulic clutch with Quicktime bellhousing and a Wenco driveshaft delivers power to the 3.70 Positraction differential, while power steering and Wilwood disc brakes along with a Total Control Products suspension all conspire to make this car a truly riveting ride. But, the NOS system, which lends the engine an additional 100 to 125 HP, takes it over the top, just as anyone would expect from Eleanor. Keeping things in check include an aluminum radiator with electric fan, an Auto Meter Sport Comp 10,000 RPM column-mounted tachometer and hefty racing-style lap belts that nod back to the glory days of racing. All things told, Eleanor is one that can not only run with the best of them, but also be somewhat docile and easy to use in traffic. Unlike her on-screen persona, she’s a pretty nice gal to hang with. A trunk-mounted fuel cell, PIAA lights, TCP aluminum pedal covers and infamous custom 10-spoke spinner wheels round out the package. The best part of all: this is a real-deal, screen-featured Eleanor—and it doesn’t get much better than this. THIS CAR WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF AT THE MECUM KISSIMMEE 2020 EVENT (JANUARY 2-12) AS LOT S135. VIEW LISTING AND MORE

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2019

Mecum Auctions Unveils Bullitt Mustang Hero Car at Monterey

Detective Frank Bullitt drove a 68 Mustang Fastback through the streets of San Francisco. The most iconic chase scene ever filmed has spawned a cult following, and prompted Ford to build three generations of Bullitt edition tribute cars (all in Highland Green). Last year was the 50th anniversary of the film, and this car was part of the celebration. The other car used in the film was the one that endured the jumps and hard landings, and it was discovered in a junkyard near Ensenada, Mexico. Because the first car was kept in original condition, Dana Mecum shocked everyone earlier today. That's because Mecum Auctions unveiled the Bullitt Mustang Hero Car in Monterey. Encased in an acrylic display case, this historic Mustang is on display at the Hyatt Regency Monterey as part of the Mecum Auction. It is a preview to their 2020 Kissimmee Auction, where it will undoubtedly bring big money. Bob Kiernan purchased the car in 1974 for $6,000, but life and family always took priority. Sadly, he developed Parkinson's which eventually proved fatal. His son Sean has kept the car in original condition ever since. The car has a fully documented history, which includes several offers made by Steve McQueen to purchase it. Now it can be yours, as it will be the star of Mecum's Kissimmee Auction. It takes place January 2-12 just a few minutes from the Orlando resorts, and we will see you there! Until then, be sure to check out the live stream from Monterey: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 22, 2018

First 2019 Mustang Bullitt Sells Big for Charity

Automotive auctions aren't just about the buying and selling of cars, they also have a bit of a philanthropic side. One recurring theme at many auctions, especially Barrett-Jackson's events, is the auctioning of a car with proceeds that benefit charity. A great example of this is the recent Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2018 event where the first 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt was auctioned off for charity. The specific Mustang that was auctioned is VIN 001 of the new Bullitt. Ford announced the revival of the Bullitt shortly before the auction, allowing hype to follow into the event. This new Mustang Bullitt features the GT's engine but has its power pushed up to 475 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Most Powerful Street-Legal Ford is Coming: 2019 Mustang Shelby GT500 So, how much did the first 2019 Mustang Bullitt go for? When all was said and done, the hammer price was recorded at $300,000. The entirety of that hammer price will go to benefit Boys Republic, "a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian school and treatment community for troubled youngsters."

Auctions

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe