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ROOTED IN THE GT90 AND GT40 CONCEPT CARS SHOWN AT DETROIT IN 1995 AND
2002 RESPECTIVELY, THE NEW FORD GT PROGRAM CODE-NAMED “PETUNIA.”
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TH E S E “P ETU N I A S” B E AT A STR A I G HT E V E RY TI M E
THREE OF A KIND
TWO 2006 FORD GTS AND A 2005 FORD GT EACH SELLING WITH NO RESERVE
As with the original Ford GT40 of vs Ferrari wars” at the 1966 GT’s proof was in its all-around
the 1960s, the 2005-06 Ford GT edition of the 24 Hours of Le performance capabilities, with
was the product of an immense Mans. Successive wins at La Sarthe a broad envelope including a
financial investment, a lengthy yet followed through 1969 until rule factory-stated top end of 205
focused design and development changes brought an end to the mph. One GT hit 209 mph flat out
cycle, and methodical – more reliable V8 bruiser’s reign there. at Italy’s Nardo test circuit and,
correctly relentless – testing and Rooted in the GT90 and GT40 according to legend, Ferrari even
perfection into a more than worthy concept cars shown at Detroit in acquired a Ford GT for testing
successor to the fabled Le Mans 1995 and 2002 respectively, the and evaluation purposes through
winners of 1966-69. The effort new Ford GT program code-named a third party to up its game.
and huge expense were worth it, “Petunia.” An unpublished major According to published sources,
with the resulting Ford GT coming player in the project was Steve 4,033 GTs were built in total for
to market as an eagerly awaited Saleen, who one month after the 2005 and 2006 model years
modern classic, notwithstanding the January 2002 Detroit Auto combined – 2,022 for 2005 and
the “tech wreck” economic malaise Show hosted Ford engineering, 2,011 for the 2006 model year.
of the early 2000s. Legions of marketing and design teams at As always, there is “more to the
hopeful buyers ordered the cars Saleen’s Southern California story,” and in the case of the 2005-
and snapped up Ford GT build facility for a month-long session 06 Ford GT, much more, with
slots with deposit checks eagerly to discuss bringing the Ford GT to these shattering performers closely
handed over to dealers and Ford production reality in time for the tracked by marque enthusiasts
representatives. Often, the cars Ford centennial, under CIA-worthy from new and commanding
were purchased at significant secrecy. purchase prices amounting to
premiums to their MSRP, all for Design of the Ford GT was several multiples of their original
the privilege of acquiring one penned by Camilo Pardo under J. cost today. In addition to its
of these limited-production and Mays at Ford’s “Living Legends” fascinating background story and
extremely strong performers. development, the 2005-06 Ford
studio, with engineering and
Designed and built to help assembly performed by Ford’s GT also marks the end of an era
celebrate Ford Motor Company’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT). Direct at Ford, being the last automobile
landmark 2003 centennial, development work, especially to leave Ford’s Wixom, Michigan,
the Ford GT appropriately chassis and handling, was factory, initially built to produce
commemorated Ford’s historic completed by none other than the glamorous Continental Mark II
1-2-3 podium sweep in the “Ford Carroll Shelby and his team. The back in 1956-57.
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