I don't think we will ever clear up everything about the GT, and maybe that's what makes it interesting! But thanks to CobraJeff there is a wealth of this kind of information about Ford GTs in the 2008 edition of the
"World Registry of Cobras and GT40s" (yes, the modern Ford GT is in there - more than 300 pages are devoted to the GT).
http://www.saac.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=11&Itemid=45 I know I keep beating the drum about this book, but it really is an excellent historical reference work. And those of us who got our info to Jeff during its compilation have our names in it, along with a few interesting stories. :thumbsup)
The Registry notes that Ford of Canada originally asked for 200 cars, but later increased it to 277. I could not determine which 277 cars were Canadian spec, but it's clear that some of the last 277 (as well as the last 200) VIN numbers were US market cars. So it seems that VIN order is not an accurate way to determine US or Canadian specification.
Some confusion has always come from the fact that the GTs were built in color batches, and therefore were not necessarily completed in VIN number order. Other factors besides color may have determined build order, but the color batch issue has been covered in other threads on this forum. Owners who have the Certificate of Authenticity package know that the VIN number and build order are usually different.
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/s...ificate-of-Authenticity-Package-quot-WOW-quot
As good as the Registry is, there is a considerable amount of information that was not supplied by the owners, and so a very large number of cars (particularly the late 06's) have only the VIN and color listed. So the next time CobraJeff asks for info, please give him as much as you can to make any future edition more complete and accurate.
In browsing mostly the last few '06 cars in the Registry, I found the following bits of information which may be of interest. Assuming the information is correct (and that I didn't make any typos), this should cause further questions and confusion!
0157 First Heritage sold to Moose - as in Moose,
plural.
1786 Last Heritage sold to Moose (John & Michele, I just couldn't resist!).
1828 Last US spec Heritage by build date (although no build date is given :frown).
1870 Last US spec GT (also a Heritage). A build date of "early August" is noted, and that the car was held at Saleen until August 18 before shipment to Wixom. Believed to go to Edsel Ford's son.
1898 Last Heritage built (no built date given :frown).
2035 Last Heritage by VIN number.
2045 Last GT built; September 22, 2006. Red/White
2047 Last GT VIN number. Blue/White
As always, I welcome any corrections or additional info! :thumbsup