2005 Ford GT

At the 2002 introduction of the modern-day GT40 concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI, Ford’s vice president of design, J. Mays, declared the GT40 “the ultimate living legend.” Further, he added, “It’s a true supercar with appeal equal to that of the greatest sports cars in the world, but with the addition of a heritage no one can match.”

Such was the roaring approval from both the press and public alike that Ford’s CEO, William Clay Ford Jr., decided to give a limited production version the green light.

Full production began in the spring of 2004, with a limit of no more than 4,500 cars set. Assembly of the GT began at Mayflower Vehicle Systems in Norwalk, OH, and they were transferred to Saleen for paint application at their facility in Troy, MI. The engines were built at Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant, with final assembly handled by the SVT team at Ford’s Wixom, MI, plant.