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).
