Here is my GT being delivered on April 11, 2006. It was a brand new 2005 model with 20 miles on the odometer. It must be a an early build version because I have machined billet control arms on all 4 corners.
Hard to believe I've owned it for 14 years.
VIN is 1712.
I believe my car was built in August of 2005.
GTJoey's book,
Ford GT 2005-2006: The Complete Owners Experience, refers to "Phase 1" the first batch of ~500 GTs where some have some issues, Phase 2 is '05 VINs ~500 to ~1,000 and Phase 3 is '05 VINs ~1,000 to 2,022 (which was the final '05) which is the group he calls the high-water mark of the entire 05 / 06 run, ie fewest parts issues and fitment problems, and build quality the highest.
So with yours being about the 1,700th GT built, and in GTJoey's Phase 3, I don't think yours is considered early, and actually you probably have one of the best ones

... and that probably explains why I don't see the clam shell band aids
