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Ford GT supercar priced at 139,995 US dollars
AFP ^ | Wed, Dec 31, 2003

Posted on 12/31/2003 10:49:16 AM PST by presidio9

When Ford Motor Co.s much-anticipated rival to Ferrari goes on sale next summer, it will debut with a 139,995 US dollar price tag.

Ford officials announced pricing for its 2005 Ford GT supercar Monday at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, nearly two years after the vehicle debuted as a concept in Detroit at the 2002 North American International Auto Show.

The company will begin building the GT in Wixom, Michigan, early next summer in volumes limited to about 1,750 units annually over a two-year production run.

"The Ford GT is a showcase of Ford Motor Companys heritage," says Marty Collins, Ford divisions general marketing manager.

The car is inspired by the 60s-era sports race coupe that earned international acclaim both on the track and on the open road, Collins says.

"For drivers who share our passion, it would be equally desirable at twice the price," Collins says.

Even at its current price, Fords GT will undercut its chief competition in the market, Ferraris 360 Modena, which retails at about 14,000 US dollars more than Fords asking price.

Although Ford benchmarked the 360 Modena in producing its GT, domestic competition could soon arise as General Motors is expected to unveil a similarly-tuned high-performance of its Chevrolet Corvette in coming years, but official details are yet to be announced.

Ford is banking on a high-income, 50- to 60-year-old demographic, to combine with the vehicles storied heritage to help move a car with a six-figure price-tag off dealer lots and into collectors garages, according Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of California consumer research firm, Edmunds.com, Inc.

In addition, it will look to capitalize on the interest generated even among its own salaried ranks, within which many, including the company's chairman Bill Ford Jr., are on a waiting list to buy the car.

"Rumor has it that hundreds within Ford Motor Company are among the first in line to buy a GT. Right behind them are the dealership owners, many of whom have been patiently waiting for a car like the GT to fulfill their exotic-car desires," that could never be satisfied by a foreign nameplate like Ferrari or Porsche without bringing along unwanted political baggage.

In addition to Ford execs and dealers, an undisclosed number of private buyers have placed multi-thousand-dollar deposits at local Ford dealerships even though the automaker is yet to decide which of its 3,850 dealers will get the vehicle.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: autos; escort; fiesta; ford; fordgt; maverick; pinto; supercar; tempo
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To: angkor
Gimme gimme.

LMAO. You said it. ;-)

21 posted on 12/31/2003 11:37:28 AM PST by Professional Engineer (28Dec ~ I felt my unborn child move this morning!! __30Dec ~ Junior is a little girl !)
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To: Cousin Eddie
If memory serves, the original GT placed 1-2-3 at Lemans.

Yep, that was the 1966 race. Ford GT-40s also won the '67, '68 and '69 races at Le Mans. 1966 was the only 1-2-3 sweep, though - I *think*.

22 posted on 12/31/2003 11:41:36 AM PST by Charles Martel (Liberals are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
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To: RightWhale
We in Alaska would also need more garage space to store the beast in Winter next to the red Corvette and the [severely-chrome] Harley Sportster.

A garage? When I lived in Ft. Yukon and Indian Mountain (15 miles from Hughes), we didn't have garages. Lucky you...

23 posted on 12/31/2003 11:56:19 AM PST by TomServo ("This can't be Wisconsin! There aren't any signs for Tommy Bartlett's water show.")
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To: presidio9
And that's without even getting into the fact that women will be statistically less likely to own this car.

The "chilrrun", don't forget the "chilrrun".

24 posted on 12/31/2003 11:56:49 AM PST by TomServo ("This can't be Wisconsin! There aren't any signs for Tommy Bartlett's water show.")
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
Put in a Chevy. It'll last longer that way.

I have noticed that, too. Engines that seldom start and produce little power never wear out...

25 posted on 12/31/2003 11:59:35 AM PST by Onelifetogive
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To: TomServo
If you have a Ford GT and the other toys, you have a garage. Heated so the fiberglass and naugehyde doesn't crack.
26 posted on 12/31/2003 12:00:30 PM PST by RightWhale (Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
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To: RightWhale
Heated so the fiberglass and naugehyde doesn't crack.

LOL!! You need to be stylin' when heading to the "Montana Club".

27 posted on 12/31/2003 12:03:50 PM PST by TomServo ("This can't be Wisconsin! There aren't any signs for Tommy Bartlett's water show.")
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To: TomServo
One of my favorite MST3K skits went something like this:

Joel: Happy birthday guys, I got you some presents: For Crowe I got this mini Ferrari GT that you can drive.
Crowe: Wow! Thanks Joel!
Servo: What did you get me?
Joel: Tom, I got you this nice pair of... slacks.
Servo(bewildered): Oooohh....
28 posted on 12/31/2003 12:07:13 PM PST by presidio9 (Mr. Dean is God's reward to Mr. Bush for doing the right thing in the war on terror -Dick Morris)
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To: presidio9
Normally, I don't like Fords, But there are always exceptions.

Damn, I can't decide...

Red

White

Or Blue?

Decisions, decisions.

29 posted on 12/31/2003 12:11:55 PM PST by AFreeBird (your mileage may vary)
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To: presidio9
The GT40 is the most beautiful car ever built, closely followed by the Ferrari 288GTO, 250GT, and the Lamborghini Miura.

This new car proves that you can't improve on perfect styling.

30 posted on 12/31/2003 12:13:25 PM PST by Batrachian
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To: presidio9
lol! I remember that one! The slacks were from JC Penney's...
31 posted on 12/31/2003 12:14:36 PM PST by TomServo ("This can't be Wisconsin! There aren't any signs for Tommy Bartlett's water show.")
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To: AFreeBird
Decisions, decisions.

Aw, heck...just get one of each...

32 posted on 12/31/2003 12:22:01 PM PST by IYAS9YAS (Go Fast, Turn Left!)
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To: IYAS9YAS
Well, it would be the patriotic thing to do, but I just don't have a spare 450 grand laying around.... [sigh]
33 posted on 12/31/2003 12:28:14 PM PST by AFreeBird (your mileage may vary)
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To: Onelifetogive
Ouch !
34 posted on 12/31/2003 12:28:29 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
>>Put in a Chevy. It'll last longer that way.<<

Hey I agree wholeheartedly. I bear physical scars from my dealings with my last Ford. Now they dare ask $140,000 for a Ford; not likely!

Muleteam1

F = Found

O = On

R = Road

D = Dead

AND

F = Fix

O = Or

R = Repair

D =Daily

35 posted on 12/31/2003 12:29:10 PM PST by Muleteam1
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To: presidio9
Ford is banking on a high-income, 50- to 60-year-old demographic,

Hey, that's me!

I have dreamed of owning a Ford GT 60 since they first appeared. The introduction of this Hitech version of the GT comes at just the right time in my lifetime. I will die with a smile on my face.

36 posted on 12/31/2003 12:31:36 PM PST by Jeff Gordon (arabed - verb: lower in esteem; hurt the pride of [syn: mortify, chagrin, humble, abase, humiliate])
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: notorious vrc

Speaking of Ford, their British relatives DO build 'em pretty.

38 posted on 12/31/2003 12:40:41 PM PST by presidio9 (Mr. Dean is God's reward to Mr. Bush for doing the right thing in the war on terror -Dick Morris)
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To: RightWhale
Mine's a triple black convertible, 6 spd, that eats rice rockets for lunch. I expect the new C6 vette to give this FOMOCO product heart burn as well.
39 posted on 12/31/2003 12:43:38 PM PST by truthandjustice1
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To: Muleteam1
Chevy, like a rock! ( going nowhere under it's own power)
40 posted on 12/31/2003 12:44:40 PM PST by ghostcat
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