The 2004 Ford GT

 

The Sports Car Based On A Ferrari Beating Legend

 

 

 

     I've written about a lot of unaffordable cars and cars you can't buy lately. So today I've decided to write about a much cheaper car that the slightly rich can afford, the Ford GT.

     Based on the legendary Ford GT40 that beat Ferrari 6 times at Le Mans in France, the Ford GT was built to celebrate Ferrari's humiliation as said by Jeremy Clarkson on Forza Motorsport 4s autovista. The prototype was called "Petunia" while it was still a secret.

     The Ford GT is a mid-engine rear-wheel drive sports car equipped with a 5.4 liter twin-screw type Lysholm supercharged Modular V8 that delivers a decent 550 hp at 6,500 rmp and creates 500 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm. Top speed of the Ford GT is electronically limited to 205 mph. Naught to sixty is said to take either 3.5 seconds, 3.7 seconds, or 3.8 seconds depending on who tested the car. The Ford GT uses a Ricardo 6-speed manual transmission that features a helical limited-slip differential. The engine uses dry-sump oiling allowing the engine to sit low in the car's frame. The engine is all-aluminum.

     The Ford GT includes a superplastic-formed frame, and aluminum body panels. The brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine can be seen. All four wheels use ABS. The suspension uses a wishbone in the front and rear and is independent with a stabilizer bar and coil springs. The Ford GT weighs 3,351 lbs.

     The cost of a Ford GT in the United States used to $139,995 but by July 1, 2005 they increased the price to $149,995. Thanks a lot Ford. (Sarcastic) Despite this increase in price it's still a good deal. However be extremely careful if you want to buy one because the Ford GT earned the terrible Gas Guzzler of the Year Award in 2005 by British Top Gear. And those guys know what they're saying. This gas guzzling problem was featured on an episode of British Top Gear when Jeremy had to refill for gas at least four times I believe. Jeremy once bought a dark blue Ford GT with white stripes then sold it because of its problems, and then bought it back. This made him call the Ford GT the most unreliable car on Earth. I disagree. I just think the engineers who built Jeremy's car were not very good or lazy.