Shoulda, Coulda, Oughta...the GT44

[eshrink]

"Hey, I like your car...my aunt has one."
"Your aunt has a Z06..."
"I think so, it's a Corvette and it's black too."
"Does she like it?"
"I think she likes sportscars with automatic transmissions."
"A Z06 does not come with an automatic transmission."
"Oh...well, it is a black Corvette...is there a difference?"

I, for one, wish they had named our car the GT44. If you do searches for "Ford GT", you are deluged with Mustang GT parts, accessories and information.

"I would like a Ford GT sweatshirt."
"We have a ton of them...did you want one with a convertible or coupe on it."
"No, no...that's likely a Mustang GT sweatshirt."
"Well, that's what you said...that's what a Ford GT is..."

The original was 40" high and thus GT-40. What would have been wrong with calling this one GT-44 (to keep things consistent)? It would have been objectively accurate and would have even indicated a further evolution of the original.

...no one would have mistaken it for a Mustang, Mustang GT, Mustang Shelby GT, Mustang Shelby GT500, Mustang GT350H.....

</rant>

- doc

 

[bigdan40]

Doc, when I called to make my 1st oil change appt. I told the service writer I had a GT and asked him how much it would cost. He told me $33, I said I'll be right over!!! :biggrin

 

[eshrink]

Big Dan:

It is many years too late to whine and moan about a poor name selection, but it certainly has contributed to confusion. Almost every item I have ordered for my car, I have had to redirect the seller "now this is not for a Mustang GT" and in perhaps half the cases, I have had to explain to them what a Ford GT is....

(hmmm, what about a windshield decal that says "NOT A MUSTANG"....no, that won't work).

- doc

 

[bigdan40]

Doc, Even worse is when you have to explain to a friend or acquaintance that you have a GT, no not a Mustang GT a Ford GT. Then you get that perplexed look followed by "what do you mean, a Mustang is a Ford"! Hopefully you don't have a sore throat that day because you'll be explaining for a while. Dan
P.S. I like the GT44 idea!!!

 

[eshrink]

Obviously, I too like the Ford GT44 concept. I came upon it a day late and a (multi-million) dollar short.

It would be great to get our side decals replaced with Ford GT-44...distinctive.

Purists would hate it, and, alas, I am a purist as well. We need the factory stripes in a box (for next owner) and our GT-44 stripes for today.

But...let's face it, it is not going to change people's shock (dismay?) when they are confused that it is both not a Mustang and concurrently is a Ford.

When my neighbor got his Gallardo which he badly abuses (he is not a gear head...just had a checkbook), others would say...well, he's an idiot, but...it IS a Lamborghini (you can actually hear the color).

- doc

 

[bigdan40]

What's funny Doc is that with so many cars nowadays having alpha numeric designations that Ford did not seize the opportunity to name this car the GT44. I'm a purist also which is why for instance I would not do Lambo doors on this car but let's face it, the car is 4" taller and 18" longer and supercharged. It's not the original at all but a better, faster more friendly version of it. Like a replica Cobra in a sense, not the real deal but a better version of it. I own a Superformance Cobra with a Roush 427 in it and I still call it a Cobra!!! It will kick the pants off an original on the track, but it's still only worth what it's worth, a replica of the original.

 

[mardyn]

When I was receiving my (fairly significant) speeding ticket last Friday, the cop says... What is that thing? A ferrari or something?"

I proudly told him "nope, Ford GT"... he looked slightly perplexed, wrote it on the ticket and then said "whatever it is, slow it down..."

mardyn

 

[Bart Carter]

So, when we lower the car an inch, we should call it a GT43? :lol

 

[Silverbullitt]

How about Mark V. If that is taken Mark VI. The later Gts were known by the mark name anyway. Speed Racer here I come.

 

[eshrink]

Yes, Mk. V or Mk. VI would have also been good choices.

I lean more toward the GT-44 since that was the intended height and is keeping consistently with the forty-inch parent car.

Does not really matter. It is now all history.

- doc

 

[AZGT]

Yes, Mk. V or Mk. VI would have also been good choices.

I lean more toward the GT-44 since that was the intended height and is keeping consistently with the forty-inch parent car.

Does not really matter. It is now all history.

- doc

Look at this thread.

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1170

Mark VI and GT-44 were considered. I still like GT-100 (and also GT-40 FUA)

 

[ChipBeck]

My grandfather drives a Mark V

How about Mark V. If that is taken Mark VI. The later Gts were known by the mark name anyway. Speed Racer here I come.

Tell the average Joe that you got a Mark V or VI and he'll think you gotta 15 year old Lincoln. :confused The original 1960's cars ranged from 41 to 38.5 inches tall. They were all refered to as GT40's. GT40 is Ford's 2 seat, mid-engined, supercar, then, now, and forever.

Chip

 

[FordGTGuy]

actually the "GT-40" is a nickname that became popular enough and became its official name but the original name of the GT-40 is the Ford GT and I think it is only out of respect that this car be called the Ford GT.

 

[Tom B]

My GT 44:

 

[eshrink]

A bit of poignant humor:

On my desk is a 1:43 diecast of a Heritage GT.

Patient walks in, states "man, I love cars...and I see you like the new Mustang."

(Maybe, I need a 1:18)

- doc

 

[sharp33]

Doc, Even worse is when you have to explain to a friend or acquaintance that you have a GT, no not a Mustang GT a Ford GT. Then you get that perplexed look followed by "what do you mean, a Mustang is a Ford"! Hopefully you don't have a sore throat that day because you'll be explaining for a while. Dan
P.S. I like the GT44 idea!!!

I would have preferred GTX. The Ford GT re-engineered for our times. Genaddi Design uses GTX-1 for its conversions

 

[AZGT]

I would have preferred GTX.

What, call the GT a Plymouth?

 

[sharp33]

What, call the GT a Plymouth?

I've got to admit I still miss my hemi GTX. :cheers

 

[AZGT]

I've got to admit I still miss my hemi GTX. :cheers

That was one of those cars in the steet racing days that commanded respect - I have a good memory of a Hemi GTX (he was behind me, but still a good, positive memory :thumbsup )

 

[davefordgt]

Doc, when I called to make my 1st oil change appt. I told the service writer I had a GT and asked him how much it would cost. He told me $33, I said I'll be right over!!! :biggrin

Funny I had the same thing happen to me.