Ford GT: The Supercar That Beat Ferrari (Twice)

The Ford GT is the ultimate American supercar. Born from a grudge match with Ferrari, it is a race car for the road. Whether it is the supercharged V8 retrospective of 2005 or the carbon-fiber, Le Mans-winning EcoBoost V6 of 2017, the GT is the pinnacle of Ford performance, proving that Detroit can beat the world's best.

Production: 2005-2022
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Ford GT Exterior Photo

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15 Min Read

The 100-Year Grudge

The story of the Ford GT begins with a rejection. In 1963, Henry Ford II tried to buy Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari insulted him and backed out of the deal. Enraged, Ford vowed to build a car that would crush Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That car was the GT40, and it won Le Mans four times in a row (1966-1969).
Decades later, Ford revived the legend not once, but twice. The Ford GT is not just a fast Ford; it is a rolling statement of national pride. It proves that when American engineers are given a blank check and a target, they are unbeatable.

When you browse the Ford GT listings on Hugegarage, you are looking at the blue-chip stocks of the car world. These cars do not depreciate. They are art, history, and violence wrapped in aluminum and carbon fiber.

The Name Game: Why isn't it called the GT40? Because the original car was 40 inches tall. The 2005 revival was 44 inches tall, so GT44 sounded wrong. Plus, Ford didn't own the rights to the name GT40 at the time (a parts company did). So, it became simply the Ford GT.

Generation 1: The Centennial Celebration (2005–2006)

Released to celebrate Ford's 100th anniversary, the 2005 GT was a love letter to the 1960s. It looked almost identical to the original GT40 but was larger and more comfortable.
The Engine: A 5.4L Supercharged Modular V8.
Specs: 550 HP / 500 lb-ft Torque.
The Experience: It is a brute. There is no traction control, no stability control, and a heavy clutch. It is widely considered one of the last great analog supercars. Because the engine is over-engineered, tuners frequently push them to 1,000+ horsepower with stock internals.

The Clamshell Quirk

The doors cut into the roof (like the original race car). This looks cool but makes it impossible to get out of the car in a tight parking spot. If you can't open the door fully, you can't get out.

Generation 2: The Le Mans Assassin (2017–2022)

For the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Le Mans win, Ford decided to win again. They secretly developed a radically new Ford GT.
The Design: It is made entirely of carbon fiber. The body features flying buttresses that channel air around the cabin to the rear wing. It looks like a spaceship.
The Controversy: Ford ditched the V8 for a 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6.
The Result: 647-660 HP. Enthusiasts cried foul until the race car version won its class at Le Mans in 2016, beating Ferrari exactly 50 years after the first win.

The Application Process

You couldn't just buy a new Ford GT. You had to apply. Ford hand-picked buyers based on their social media following, brand loyalty, and promise to actually drive the car (not flip it for profit). This created massive demand and controversy in the collector market.

Driving Dynamics: Analog vs. Digital

  • 2005 GT: Feels like a muscle car that went to finishing school. It rumbles, shakes, and requires muscle to drive. It is a grand tourer.
  • 2017 GT: Feels like a Le Mans prototype with license plates. The suspension is hydraulic and drops the car 2 inches in Track Mode instantly. It is loud, harsh, cramped, and incredibly fast. It is a weapon.

Maintenance and Ownership

1. Fuel Economy (Gen 1)

The 2005 GT is affectionately known for its thirst. It is rated at 12 MPG city, but spirited driving sees single digits. The fuel tank is notoriously small, limiting range.

2. Hydraulic System (Gen 2)

The 2017 GT uses a complex high-pressure hydraulic system for the suspension and active aerodynamics. Maintenance requires specialized Ford GT-certified technicians, of which there are very few.

Conclusion: The King of Detroit

The Ford GT is the halo car that casts a shadow over the entire industry. The 2005 model is the accessible classic, a V8 icon that is surprisingly reliable. The 2017 model is a piece of unobtainium, a carbon-fiber marvel that represents the absolute limit of what a road car can be. Owning either one is not just owning a Ford; it is owning a victory. Explore the specs below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact difference between the classic Ford GT40 and the modern Ford GT?

The legendary 1960s Ford GT40 was a purpose-built racing prototype designed specifically to crush Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its name famously derived from its incredibly low overall height: exactly 40 inches from the ground to the roof. When Ford created the modern street-legal homage in 2005, modern crash and safety regulations forced the car to be taller (roughly 44 inches). Furthermore, a company named Safir GT40 Spares held the trademark to the "GT40" name, so Ford simply named the modern iterations the Ford GT.

Why did Ford put a V6 engine in the newest Ford GT instead of a V8?

When Ford unveiled the 2nd-generation Ford GT (2017–2022), purists were shocked that it abandoned the traditional supercharged V8 for a 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6. This decision was driven entirely by aerodynamics. Experience the brilliance of modern racing engineering: the compact V6 engine allowed designers to heavily taper the rear cabin into a narrow "teardrop" shape. A wider V8 simply would not have fit within the aggressive aerodynamic fuselage required to win the aerodynamics war at Le Mans.

Could anyone just walk into a dealership and buy a brand-new Ford GT?

No, the purchasing process for the 2017–2022 Ford GT was one of the most exclusive and rigorous in automotive history. You could not just write a check. Potential buyers had to submit a comprehensive application to Ford, detailing their social media following, their history of Ford ownership, and how often they planned to actually drive the car. Ford hand-selected "brand ambassadors" to ensure the cars were seen in public, rather than immediately locked away in private collections to gather dust.

What are the most common reliability problems with a 2005-2006 Ford GT?

The 1st-generation modern Ford GT is surprisingly robust for an exotic supercar, but it does suffer from a few highly documented, age-related flaws.

Hugegarage Technical Tip: If you are purchasing a 2005–2006 Ford GT, immediately check the rear axle half-shaft bolts. From the factory, these bolts were prone to backing themselves out under heavy acceleration, which can cause catastrophic driveline damage. Additionally, the Autometer analog dashboard gauges are notorious for failing entirely. Most owners proactively install an aftermarket bolt-locking kit and replace the fragile factory gauges.

How fast is the Ford GT, and what is its top speed?

Both modern generations of the Ford GT possess terrifying, world-class speed.

1st Generation (2005-2006)
Powered by a 5.4L Supercharged V8, this analog beast hits 60 MPH in roughly 3.8 seconds and boasts a verified top speed of 205 MPH.
2nd Generation (2017-2022)
Powered by the 647+ HP Twin-Turbo V6 and featuring active aerodynamics, this carbon-fiber track weapon blasts from 0 to 60 MPH in under 3.0 seconds, achieving a staggering factory-claimed top speed of 216 MPH.
What are the "flying buttresses" on the modern Ford GT?

The most striking design element of the 2017–2022 Ford GT are the flying buttresses—the arching structures that connect the narrow main roofline to the rear fenders. These are not merely for show. They serve a brilliant dual purpose: they physically channel high-speed air tightly over the rear spoiler to create massive downforce, and they are completely hollow. Ford ingeniously routed the heavy charge-air cooler piping straight through the inside of the buttresses to feed dense, cold air to the engine.

How much horsepower does the Ford GT have?

The power output varies significantly depending on the generation and specific edition. The 2005–2006 Ford GT produced a highly conservative 550 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque from its modular supercharged V8. The 2017–2019 Ford GT launched with 647 HP. For the final production years (2020–2022), Ford upgraded the engine calibration and cooling systems to push the Twin-Turbo V6 to an incredible 660 HP, making it the most powerful V6 Ford has ever produced.

Is the 2005-2006 Ford GT a good investment?

It is widely considered one of the greatest blue-chip automotive investments of the 21st century. When the 2005 Ford GT originally launched, it had a sticker price of roughly $150,000. Because Ford only produced a little over 4,000 units, and the car represents the pinnacle of "analog" supercars (featuring a massive V8, a 6-speed manual transmission, and no intrusive traction control), pristine low-mileage examples consistently sell at collector auctions today for $400,000 to over $600,000.

Is the newest Ford GT actually a street-legal race car?

Yes, quite literally. Unlike the 2005 model (which was designed as a street car first), the 2017 Ford GT was developed in absolute secrecy alongside the GTE-Pro class Le Mans race car. It is built entirely around a carbon-fiber passenger tub with an integrated steel roll cage. It features pushrod inboard suspension and a hydraulic system that instantly drops the entire car 2 inches into "Track Mode." It was built to win the 2016 Le Mans race (which it did), and the street version is merely a homologation requirement.

What kind of gas mileage (MPG) does a Ford GT get?

If you own a half-million-dollar supercar, fuel economy is the least of your concerns, and the Ford GT will absolutely drain its fuel tank in minutes on a track. However, for EPA certification, the 2005 Supercharged V8 model was rated at an abysmal 12 MPG city and 19 MPG highway (incurring a heavy Gas Guzzler Tax). Despite having a smaller displacement V6, the 2017+ Ford GT performs similarly, returning an EPA-estimated 11 MPG city and 18 MPG highway due to its massive turbochargers and sticky track tires.