Ford GT supercar priced at 139,995 US dollars

AFP ^ | Wed, Dec 31, 2003

[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.

[RightWhale]

I nearly bought a red Vette off the showroom floor a couple years ago. But I eneded up with this Toyota Highlander because I simply need room to carry my stringbass. Besides, the Vette is not ideal at 20 below and roads of ice for 8 months of the year. Maybe a roof rack . . .

[B Knotts]

When was that, the 1980s?

Seriously, there is good and bad in pretty much every automaker's line. The only real clunker Ford has peddled in the recent past was the Focus, in its first year or two.

I have a 2000 F-150. I just passed 100,000 miles. The only problem I have ever had with it was a stuck valve, which was fixed under warranty, with no hassle.

It's probably time I had the spark plugs changed, I reckon. :-)

[brooklin]

I think that you could get those 50 series tires studded and use it year round. It's got good power, maybe hook a plow on as well. Rear engine, won't need weight in the back.

[B Knotts]

BTW, for those of us who don't have a spare $140K burning a hole in our pockets, keep in mind that the all-new Mustang is coming out next year, and it looks really nice.

[RightWhale]

There are slow bass players, there are fast bass players, and there would be RightWhale with his stringbass on the roof-rack. Now that would be a fast bass player.

[RiflemanSharpe]

But, it still has one over riding problem. It is a Ford.
Friends don't let friends drive fords.

[RightWingNut]

Have you seen the Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage schedule to go into production in 2004/2005 ? (A baby Aston Martin.) GORGEOUS !!!!!!!

It's around $100K. Pocket change for us Freepers !! LOL

I do love the Ford GT !!! Ford built it with some help from Carroll Shelby, Roush, Saleen. Dan Gurney helped also. Ford brought in some heavyweights for the help. Seems to have been a good move.

Check out the current issue of Car and Driver. Camparisons between a Ferrari, Porsche, and the Ford GT. Very interesting !!

[Cousin Eddie]

In fairness to the Ferrari lovers (aren't we all), I understand that the GT design was a Ford/Ferrari JV. Supposedly Ford was in discussions to buy Ferrari but the deal fell apart because Ferrari was worried about being swallowed up and ruined by Ford.

The GT does have Ferrari-esque lines.

[Sir Gawain]

Yawn. I'd take a Porsche 930 Turbo any day over just about any car. 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. Beat that.

[presidio9]

BTW, for those of us who don't have a spare $140K burning a hole in our pockets, keep in mind that the all-new Mustang is coming out next year, and it looks really nice.

I actually like the coupe better than the ragtop.

[Joe_October]

Man, it's not fair that we can't all own one of these. Maybe the evil Republicans can get me one of these if I don't say anything bad about Haliburton. (/liberal hat off).

[Muleteam1]

I may give away my age here but the first Ford I owned was a sky blue 1956 Ford Fairlane (Thunderbird 312 CI V8). It was ten years old when I bought it for $300. My next Ford was a 1983 Ford Ranger that overheated, started an engine fire, then caught me on fire when I tried to put it out (2nd & 3rd degree burns). After that I went to an '89 Totyota 4x4 then a '97 Toyota Tacoma and was never disappointed until I retired and needed a tow truck for the antique tractors I now rebuild. For this I use a very disposable '92 Ford F250 4x4 (140,000 mi.) but I always carry a large fire extinquisher.

Actually, Ford trucks are probably no worse than any other American truck. I've also owned a GMC, several Chevy trucks. Here in the southwest, used Ford trucks are much less expensive than the same year model Chevys.

Muleteam1

[cars for sale]

what kinda car ? I'm 48 and still smile
ultimately,I've done 160 in a car and 124 on a motorcycle

[cars for sale]

can you direct me to a pic of the 05 'stang ?????

[PLMerite]

Yeah, they should have made it 139,999.95. That way everyone would think they were getting a bargain.

[raybbr]

Whew, after tabulating our Christmas bills, I told Missus Lincoln that the most we can spend on a new family vehicle is $140,000! Boy, we really cut it close!

I sure hope you added taxes or you are going to have to put some more time in.

[VOA]

Someday the braintrust at Ford will wake up and realize that a visible copy of the
1967 Mustang fastback would make the sales number of the "New Beetle" appear pathetic.

[B Knotts]

See post #50. A couple pictures are posted there.

[B Knotts]

Someday the braintrust at Ford will wake up and realize that a visible copy of the 1967 Mustang fastback would make the sales number of the "New Beetle" appear pathetic.

See post #50. That's pretty close to what they are, in fact, doing. Also, keep in mind that those are pictures of the concept car shown a couple years back. The production model is supposed to be more retro than the concept.

[B Knotts]

0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

You mean the 911 Turbo? Porsche only claims 4.2 for that one.

They have the GT2 (Twin Turbo), which is 4.0.

This Ford beats both; its estimated 0-60 is 3.7 sec.