2005 Ford GT Reviews, Pricing & Specs

With no more than a glance, it’s easy to spot the slinky 1960s Ford GT40 classic car lurking just beneath the new Ford GT’s retro-futuristic skin. Penned under the direction of J Mays, the new 2005 Ford GT is one of several modern Fords to harken back to the automaker’s golden era of design, faithfully replicating the original car’s coupe body style and GT heritage while adhering to modern design requirements.

Inside the GT’s intimate, two-seat interior, the design connection is less obvious. Instrumentation is clearly influenced by the GT40 concept, the dimpled seats recall the original car, and there is an appropriately austere sensibility to the cabin. Certain parts-bin components, such as the round air vents, and a heavy-handed approach to the magnesium centre-console cover and door-panel designs detract from the back-in-time vibe.

Press the red engine start button, grasp the oversized metal shift knob for the manual transmission, release the clutch pedal, and you’ll forget any complaints regarding interior execution.

Delivering power specs of 550 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 500 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm, the supercharged 5.4-litre V8 engine is mounted directly behind the driver and passenger, nestled within the car’s aluminum space frame. A six-speed manual gearbox powers the GT’s rear wheels, employing a helical limited-slip differential to get the power to the pavement. We won’t bother discussing fuel economy since official figures aren’t available anyway, but expect to be filling the 66-litre fuel tank often.

This car is about more than just looks, with Motor Trend reporting acceleration to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0 to 100 kilometre per hour times are not available), a quarter-mile trap time of 11.2 seconds at 211.1 km/h, and, with a professional driver behind the wheel, a top speed of 322 km/h. Those figures let the Ford GT easily run with the best from Ferrari, making its base price of just under $185,000 Canadian look like a bargain.

Aside from awkward entry and exit, which are to be expected of a car like this, and the oversized dimples in the leather seat pattern, which could be uncomfortable for some people, the Ford GT is unexpectedly civilized once you’ve settled into the seat. For example, it has automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, and a CD player. Good luck finding those in an original GT40.

However, if you’re planning a trip, you’re going to need to decide between a companion and cargo. With just 45 litres of cargo room, you’d better not buy more than a bottle of milk unless you plan to use the front passenger’s seat for your provisions.

Technologically, the Ford GT emphasizes engineering rather than creature comforts, but that’s a part of its charm. For example, the 5.4-litre V8 employs a dry-sump oiling system so that it can safely sit lower in the aluminum chassis, which uses a slow and expensive but precise superplastic forming process during construction.

Nevertheless, you’ll find some modern amenities in the new GT. Remote keyless entry makes it easy to lock and unlock the doors, power-adjustable and heated side mirrors make it easier to see out, and a stereo with two premium Rockford Fosgate speakers helps to drown out the supercharger whine and bellowing exhaust, should you find that desirable.

Buy a Ford GT with intentions of exploring its performance, and you’d better first attend racing school. Aside from antilock brakes, you’re going to be on your own as far as car control goes.

In the event you crush the aluminum bodywork, dual front airbags are aboard to help absorb some of the crash energy. You can turn off the right front airbag for when a child is along for the ride, and the GT is even equipped with child safety seat anchors.

As is true of all high-end, low-volume vehicles like the Ford GT, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performed crash testing on this high-dollar supercar.

With a starting price of $184,995, you might question the sanity of someone spending that much money on a Ford.

What you’d be overlooking, though, is that the GT amounts to so much more than the familiar blue oval badge it proudly wears on its nose. This production car is a celebration of American ingenuity and grit, and because Ford plans no more than 4,500 examples (including 346 Heritage edition cars with Gulf-Oil-inspired livery and orange racing stripes) and only 200 for Canada, its rarity shall ensure future collectability.

In terms of price, the Ford GT is a relative bargain in the first place. It costs a fraction of what a Lamborghini Murcielago, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, or a Porsche Carrera GT will vacuum from your bank account. It’s even more affordable than the relatively common Ferrari F430.

Therefore, while it might seem overpriced at first, especially with those silly Mustang-style dashboard air vents, the Ford GT is actually a fantastic deal.

Note: Images show a US model.