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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

A sleek black Ford GT sports car with a low, aerodynamic design, large wheels, and a rear spoiler is parked in a white studio setting. The Liquid Carbon Edition subtly flaunts ghosted stripes that add an extra layer of intrigue to its flawless finish.

By Charles Bradley – February 24, 2025

Stunning Ford GT Liquid Carbon Edition With “Ghosted Stri...

This 2021 Ford GT Liquid Carbon Edition is one of just 30 examples ever produced, with only five built per model year, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive iterations of Ford’s flagship supercar. An extra special example of this car is now available for to buy via auction with Sotheby’s Motorsport, from the workshops of Graham Rahal Performance in Indianapolis. It features a specially designed Liquid Carbon exterior, a finish that exposes the car’s carbon-fiber bodywork beneath clear coat, complemented by even rarer Shadow Black overtop stripes, a feature found on only a handful of the 30 examples. “We now have four or five Ford GTs here at our location, which is a little atypical for us,” said Rahal on Instgram. “This particular example, we've actually sold one or two of these before. Now, there's only 30 supposedly in the world, five per model year. This particular example is quite unique, though. “I have not seen, and I'm sure there is, but I have not seen another example that has ghosted stripes on them. Typically, the variations that you see on the liquid carbon cars is the mirror colors tend to be a little bit different – voodoo blue, some are red, etc. “This one also has the dark blue interior option, so we see a really cool contrast between the carbon, between the stripes, the interior, got the bright blue calipers and of course the matte finished wheels. This has 52 miles, basically delivery miles. “We are really, really pumped to have this car here at GRP.” This edition commanded a base price approximately $250,000 higher than a standard GT, underscoring its exclusivity and advanced construction. Beneath its sculpted body, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 generates 660 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, channeled to the rear wheels via a Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Ford’s motorsport-derived aerodynamics include a retractable active rear wing, a large rear diffuser, and sculpted buttress air ducts for enhanced cooling and stability, while a lightweight Gorilla Glass windshield and butterfly doors add to the GT’s cutting-edge design. The auction ends on Thursday at 17:30 EST, with the lastest bid of just below $1 million at the time of writing. View listing

By Edward Jones – May 09, 2022

Parnelli Jones' Personal 2020 Ford GT MkII Heading To Auc...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. Parnelli Jones needs no introduction to generations of racing fans as one of the most versatile and accomplished race drivers in American history, with winning records as both a driver and owner in practically every form of motorsports. An inductee into more than 20 halls of fame, Jones’ string of victories includes the 1963 Indianapolis 500 and Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the 1967 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside, the 1970 Trans-Am Championship in the famous Bud Moore Boss 302 Mustang and multiple off-road wins in his famed “Big Oly” Ford Bronco. Jones’ decades-long partnership with Ford Motor Company as driver, dealer, team owner and brand ambassador has certainly been mutually rewarding, so it was only natural that his personal collection should include this stunningly beautiful 2020 Ford GT, the most advanced and potent automobile ever to wear the famous Blue Oval. Distinguished by its Ingot Silver exterior finish, the GT’s basic structure comprises an array of carbon fiber weaves formed into a central passenger module with an integrated tubular steel roll cage. Beneath the GT’s aero-optimized carbon fiber envelope, lightweight aluminum front and rear subframes carry the track-focused all-independent suspension, which features electronic active damping and stability controls and a pushbutton-activated front lift system. Ford’s Le Mans-winning 3.5L/647 HP twin-turbocharged DOHC Ecoboost V-6 engine and Getrag dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission give the GT a sub-3 second 0-60 MPH time and a top speed of 216 MPH, making its massive Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes an absolute necessity. Active aerodynamics are integral to the GT’s design. The carbon fiber front splitter, underbody aero shields and rear diffuser work in concert with the automatically adjustable rear wing and integrated air brake, high-mounted center titanium exhaust and heat-extracting tail lights to generate a heady mixture of extraordinary downforce and stability, resulting in a level of high-speed composure that has been described as “genuinely astonishing.” The GT’s interior is designed to integrate car and driver like never before. Ebony Alcantara fabric covers virtually every point of contact, including the Sparco carbon fiber racing seats, steering wheel and tilt/telescopic column, instrument panel, pillars, headliner, door sills, air register pods and center console. Such details as GT headrest logos, anodized aluminum shift paddles, matte dark stainless accents and a wide-ranging electronic infotainment system enhance the GT’s cocoon-like, yet roomy, accommodations. Delivered new to Galpin Ford of North Hills, California, and still wrapper-fresh with a mere 15 miles on the clock, Parnelli Jones’ personal Ford GT includes the optional six-point harness anchors, Exterior Carbon Fiber Gloss Package, the Dark Energy Interior Upgrade package, 20-inch gloss exposed carbon fiber wheels with titanium lug nuts, and indoor and outdoor covers, features that added a total of $69,245 to the car’s MSRP. Parnelli’s distinctive signature on the dashboard adds the perfect finishing touch to this singularly exclusive 2020 Ford GT. This 2020 Ford GT will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2022 event, May 13-21, 2022. Learn More

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By Edward Jones – September 02, 2021

Barrett-Jackson Houston Auction: 2019 Ford GT Lightweight

Presented by Barrett-Jackson - This 2019 Ford GT is a true street-legal exclusive race car. The GT can launch to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and achieve a top speed of over 216 mph. This GT, chassis #42, boasts $74,750 in factory options. It is desirably equipped with the 600A Lightweight Package, which includes Lightweight graphics, 20-inch gloss exposed carbon-fiber wheels, titanium lug nuts, titanium exhaust, polycarbonate rear engine hatch and an Alcantara-wrapped carbon-fiber steering wheel. This GT is finished in Shadow Black accented by carbon-fiber stripes and exposed carbon-fiber trim with a gloss finish. The carbon-fiber wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and brought to a stop by red Brembo brake calipers. The GT's interior is trimmed in the carbon theme, accented nicely by carbon-fiber trim, including the door sills. The interior features an F1-inspired steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara with an integrated LED rev indicator. Powering this GT is the 647hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, which is mated to a 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch automatic transmission. Also included in the sale is a purpose-built trailer designed specifically for the trailering needs of the Ford GT. This one-owner supercar has 8 actual miles and comes with the Window Sticker and factory build process photos. Hundreds of cars are set to cross the block with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson's Inaugural Houston Auction, September 16-18 at NRG Center. Check out the docket and become a bidder today! View Listing

By Edward Jones – June 11, 2021

Liquid Red Tri-Coat 2019 Ford GT Being Offered at Barrett...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson Auction Company – Appropriately introduced in Detroit at the January 2015 North American Auto Show, the latest Ford GT was a shock to the senses of most onlookers in many respects. Developed by Ford Motor Company engineers in parallel with Multimatic, the road-going Ford GT is essentially a thinly disguised FIA LM GTE-class racing car, albeit one with startling luxury, comfort and provision for a license plate. In fact, in terms of development priorities, the GT was designed first for competition and civilized – barely – for the street. The road-legal GT made its European debut in late 2017 at Frankfurt, with competition cars having already won class at Le Mans in 2016, the site of Ford’s stunning triumph there 50 years before. A stunning tour de force of design and engineering prowess, the bristles with modern high-tech materials, cutting-edge construction techniques and built-in aerodynamic features throughout. Manufacture of the road models is carried out by Multimatic at its new, purpose-built low-volume production facility in Markham, Ontario, near Toronto in Canada. There, the first Ford GT road car was completed on December 16, 2016, an occasion rightly celebrated with top Ford Motor Company brass in attendance. Based on a track-worthy carbon-fiber monocoque and lightweight aluminum structures at its core, the GT is surprisingly compact with bodywork designed for minimal frontal area, low aerodynamic drag, and maximum downforce at speed. Standing just 43.7 inches tall, it becomes two inches lower when Track Mode is selected. Suspension is via competition-style pushrod-actuated dampers, and sections of an FIA-legal roll cage are neatly integrated into the GT’s roof structure. Exuding a teardrop shape when viewed from above, the GT’s main bodywork tapers sharply to the rear and built-in features deliver astounding downforce at speed. Flying buttresses aft of the passenger compartment direct cool air into the engine intakes and pontoon-style rear fenders are in the mold of current track-only Le Mans prototypes. Drawing from actual Ford production-car technology, the GT is powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine developing 647 horsepower – 183 horses per liter and 550 ft/lbs of torque. Harnessed by a Getrag 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission/rear transaxle, the GT explodes from rest to 60 mph under 3.0 seconds, up to a stunning 216-mph terminal velocity. Hydraulic steering gear provides precise directional control, extremely lightweight carbon-fiber wheels slash unsprung weight to a minimum and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes provide competition-grade stopping power. Once switched into Race Mode for track duty, the GT delivers sharper response to throttle inputs, less-sensitive traction and stability control programming, lowered ride height, stiffer underpinnings, firmer gearchanges and deployment of the rear spoiler, rendering the GT ready to attack any racing circuit on command. Finished in Liquid Red Tri-Coat paint with a Dark Energy interior, this 2019 Ford GT is an amazing one-owner example with just 21 actual miles at the time of writing. The purposeful, yet startlingly luxurious interior of this GT features an F1-inspired steering wheel, wrapped in Ebony Alcantara, with paddle-shift levers and myriad control buttons, dials and switches all placed at the driver’s fingertips to control the car’s various systems. Other choice features and amenities include an LED rev counter, launch control, tilt/telescopic steering column and 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth and Sync 3 infotainment system. Other amazing highlights include brilliant LED headlamps, a ventilated polycarbonate rear engine hatch and high-mounted center exhaust outlets. As if its incredible race-derived specifications are not enough, this GT features over $50,000 in its array of factory options, including 6-point safety-harness anchors, alloy over-top stripes, the carbon-fiber exterior accent package, a fitted car cover and 20-inch, gloss-exposed lightweight carbon-fiber wheels. All factory-issued documents – including the Window Sticker, build book and other highly desirable items ‒ are included with the offering of this stellar, virtually new 2019 Ford GT. Additionally, this collector-grade 2019 Ford GT is offered complete with a tandem-axle aluminum motorsports trailer custom-built by InTech Trailers in Nappanee, Indiana. Showcasing every feature necessary to securely haul your new 2019 Ford GT home or to and from shows and track events, this InTech trailer is equipped with a fifth-wheel attachment point, front landing gear, built-in spare wheel/tire and electrical compartments, a drawbridge-style rear loading ramp, fold-out side panel with gas struts, a side access door and vehicle tie-down system. A tool cabinet and roof-mounted cupboards are installed up front to contain the necessary items to maintain your GT and provide ample storage space for refreshments while you’re on the move to your next event. This 2019 Ford GT with be selling with No Reserve during the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, June 17-19. View Online 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

2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II 85th Commemorative Edition 0

By Edward Jones – January 04, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II 85th Co...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - This Shelby GT40 is a quality re-creation of the original Ford GT that beat Ferrari and finished in the top three positions at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. One of Superformance’s most ambitious creations ever, this GT40 is incredibly detailed and faithful to the original Mk II design. Adding to its appeal and exclusivity, this chassis is an 85th Commemorative Edition example created in 2008 to celebrate the 85th birthday of none other than Carroll Shelby. Fittingly, only 85 units in the series were constructed, with this chassis bearing serial number one. Since its completion, it has been driven fewer than four miles. While developing their exhilarating GT40, Superformance engineers went to great lengths to ensure authenticity; the resulting car was so authentic, that it could bear the name “GT40.” Further, it carries a GT40/P chassis number and is eligible for entry in the GT40 registry. This is not simply a modern tube-frame chassis shrink-wrapped in a fiberglass body; the Superformance GT40 MKII has a super-rigid steel semi-monocoque chassis with a pressed-steel roof, just like the original Mark IIs. Nearly everything is like the original, right down to the “Gurney bubble” in the roof. Of course, some improvements were made in the interest of durability, weight savings, and safety; further, electro-galvanized sheet steel is used in construction to improve longevity. However, 90 percent of the parts are said to be interchangeable with the original GT40 Mk II. Notable differences from the source car include the addition of air conditioning and more modern Wilwood brakes, along with the fact that it is left-hand drive; the original race-prepared cars featured a steering wheel on the right. Power is provided by a custom-built, naturally aspirated aluminum 511-cubic inch FE v-8 engine developing an estimated 692 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Here, it is paired to an RBT five-speed manual transaxle with center-mounted shifter. In a car that weighs only around 2,400 pounds, the acceleration and performance of this 2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II remains breathtaking. Suitable for vintage racing, this time-tested design still has—in skilled hands—the potential to blow the doors off most modern supercars at track days. Whether on- or off-track, if you want to turn heads, this spectacular GT40 MKII 85th Commemorative Edition will do it better than most anything else. This chassis’ connection to the legendary Carroll Shelby, including a signed dashboard (Shelby’s signature is here joined by that of driver Bob Bondurant), only deepen its appeal. It will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, taking place 22 January in Scottsdale, Arizona. 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

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