What did Ford gain by building the FGT?


Roger Vincent

GT Owner
May 31, 2006
275
Bowling Green, KY
I just received the Discovery Channel DVD, Rebuilding a Race Car Legend: Ford GT. I watched it and am still in "shock and awe" over this car. I just had to go out to the garage and sit in it and reflect on the DVD, the history, and the art all around me. In doing this, I wondered, "What did Ford get, when it was all said and done, from building the FGT?" They probably didn't make much money. What about PR? Advance the technology of building cars? I think at the end of the day, they did it mostly from the pure enthusiastic joy of producing another classic. I have not met the Ford executives, and I know many of you have. So, what is your sense? Why did Ford build this marvelous car for the lucky ones? Enthusiasm, commercialism, celebration of a birthday, money, or all the above. What's your take?
 
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dbk

The Favor Factory™
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,187
Metro Detroit
Ford needed a showcase car for the Centennial. Period. The anniversary wasn't when it was, the car would have never existed.

(though I think you can't buy the kind of press they got from all the rag covers the car got, even if the program lost money. I know they say it "broke even", but I doubt it.)
 

Roger Vincent

GT Owner
May 31, 2006
275
Bowling Green, KY
Ford needed a showcase car for the Centennial. Period. The anniversary wasn't when it was, the car would have never existed.

(though I think you can't buy the kind of press they got from all the rag covers the car got, even if the program lost money. I know they say it "broke even", but I doubt it.)

Thanks Dave. I am glad they chose the FGT to celebrate, but they had to have some level of gut enthusiasm for the car, as they might have chosen one of their other iconic cars as well, don't you think?
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
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Fresno, Ca.
DBK, said it all, so sad, so true.
 

dbk

The Favor Factory™
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,187
Metro Detroit
Oh yeah, for sure. When it comes down to "should we build car X, or should we build a 200mph supercar?", it's hard to imagine anyone choosing anything but the latter. The car had a lot of important proponents.

The choice was basically between the GT and the Forty-Nine, as I'm told...

Thanks Dave. I am glad they chose the FGT to celebrate, but they had to have some level of gut enthusiasm for the car, as they might have chosen one of their other iconic cars as well, don't you think?
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
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Because they could! What a team of people!
 

ROCMAN

Big Dawg!
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USA
The choice was basically between the GT and the Forty-Nine, as I'm told...

I have been waiting for the 49 for years. When I saw it at a car show, I wanted to put a deposit down right there. Unfortunately, I don't think that car would do well, unless if it were kept as a 2 year deal as well.
 

Fast Freddy

GPS'D 225 MPH
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Aug 5, 2005
2,684
Avondale, Arizona
ford gained me by building the ford GT.......
 

cobrar1339

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 2, 2006
956
Diamond Bar, Ca
(though I think you can't buy the kind of press they got from all the rag covers the car got, even if the program lost money. I know they say it "broke even", but I doubt it.)


Even would be a good thing with that kind of press. But the on-going press and the legend alone cannot be had for money alone. The Pin Action is incredible. I would guess a passionate select few had this vision. But as DBK siad you could never run a financial model that would support it with facts or $ signs.

Just Today in the GT....

The 12 thumbs up today on a 40 mile round trip
The 20 or so nods of approval
The 6 guys at the gas station, blown away that it is a Ford
The hot chick that about stuck her mascara brush up her nose

The two young boys riding bikes with training wheels.."Mister that is the coolest car I have ever seen, it looks better than my Hot Wheels". When I grow up I am going to get me a Ford GT. Took a Pic of them in the car, emailed it to their folks.

It is flat out Memorable, just like the first one was. We now juicing the next 2-3 generations. Every bar argument over the coolest american car of all time will include the Ford GT 2. The coolest cars of all time lists will also see the Ford GT in the top 3-4 in any league.

What is your ranking:

1. Ford GT:thumbsup
2. Original Ford GT 40
3. Daytona Coupe
4. 427 AC Cobra
5. 289 FIA Cobra (Tie)
ZL1 Corvette
6. Original 65 Shelby:thumbsup
7. 67 Shelby GT 500 ( Ties ):thumbsup
Hemi Cuda
Boss 429 Mustang:thumbsup
8. C6 Corvette Zo6
9. 2000 Cobra R
10. ZR1 Corvette:thumbsup
11. C5 ZO6 Corvette:thumbsup
12. Pantera
13. 69 Z28 Camaro
Boss 302 Mustang:thumbsup
14. 63-67 Corvette Fi or Big Block cars:thumbsup
15. AAR Cuda
16. 98 WS6 Trans Am:thumbsup
17. Boss 351 Mustang:thumbsup
18. De Lorean
19. Buick Grand National:thumbsup
20. Daytona Superbird
21. The AMC Pacer from Waynes World.:banana

:thumbsup = Current and past cars from the stables

Who has a world cars list?
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
I think it's a bit like the space program - what does America get out of the shuttle (in real terms)? There will be some gains here and there but essentially it demonstrates to the world that the country is a leader in technology, it earns respect. OK, that's a bit clunky perhaps, but I think the GT shows what Ford is capable of and to do it in a way that has style, heritage and performance.

Many of us here have owned millions of dollars worth of cars from every 'supercar' manufacturer - the GT not only sits alongside those cars with ease, it actually surpasses them. As I've remarked here before, the GT engine bay has to be the most sublime piece of automotive jewellery available today.

Many GT owners will keep, drive and treasure the GT - it becomes a global, mobile billboard for Ford.

What would you pay for that kind of PR I wonder?
 

timcantwell

Le Mans 2010 Sponsor * Moderator
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Jan 22, 2006
2,634
N.E. OH & Naples, FL
Ford needed a showcase car for the Centennial. Period. The anniversary wasn't when it was, the car would have never existed.

(though I think you can't buy the kind of press they got from all the rag covers the car got, even if the program lost money. I know they say it "broke even", but I doubt it.)

I agree with Dave 100%. However, that being said the good news is that Ford put together the team that they did to make it all happen. The guys who made it a reality had the passion, drive, and enthusiasm to CREATE the ultimate dream car, at a very reasonable price. I want to thank all you guys from the design team to the last UAW worker who drove it off the line at Wixom! Job well done!
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
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Oct 18, 2006
1,361
Washington State
The choice was basically between the GT and the >Forty-Nine<, as I'm told...


I WANT AT LEAST WUNNA THESE! 'Went NUTS over this car when I first saw it and I STILL feel the same way. DANG! What a sharp lookin' ride!!! I'd scuttle my V-8 M3 order for one ('don't have the room for both)!

If that were built - with no "bean counter" changes in looks from the concept car - and it had a REAL ENGINE OPTION (along with all the 4 banger & V-6 grocery getters they'd be forced to make), that thing would be just flat out awsome!

AND THAT'S COMING FROM A FORMER CHEVY GUY.

Excuse me. 'Just wet my drawers. 'Gotta go change 'em ...
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
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Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
The sad thing is Ford has a rooting section over here. I hope those folks that know it, can raise their voices over those bean counters. My FGT is not for sale, nor will it be.


One thing I learned over here is how cool the Vipers are, waiting to hear more about the '08. Need more mantoys.
 

Silverbullitt

GT Owner
Mar 3, 2006
1,757
Lago Vista, TX
EMPTY POCKETS: Excuse me. 'Just wet my drawers. 'Gotta go change 'em ...

I was waiting for Pockets to show his age after trying to make me way older than I am. How many depends can you store in the trunk Pockets??
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
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Oct 18, 2006
1,361
Washington State
I was waiting for Pockets to show his age after trying to make me way older than I am. How many depends can you store in the trunk Pockets??


Unlike is usually the case fer yur OWN darn self there, 'bullitt, the afore mentioned incident occurred due to pure, overwhelming excitement ...not the lack of bladder control.

Thou 'mussunt' judge others by yur own darn 'speriences!:biggrin :lol :rofl
 

GTNJ

GT Owner
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Sep 21, 2006
1,611
State of Confusion
Even the mice love GT's :ack

Or at least the one that ate mine. :lol



--
on.jpg
 

Jazz76

GT Owner
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Apr 9, 2006
27
Harleysville, PA
Ford won me over with the GT , would have never bought a Shelby GT. Now my wife has a new Shelby GT (automatic) grocery getter.
 

Fubar

Totally ****** Up
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Aug 2, 2006
3,979
Dallas, TX
I have been a physic for some time. Yes I can read into the future. Let me bend my power for the purposes of this thread.

Later today I am going to a car show, just me and my little Ford. I go to show-off a little bit but mostly to talk with other people who are like me… car nuts.
1- There will be some girls who giggle and gawk… one will ask me if the motor is in the back (while staring directly at the motor which is in the back). The other will tell me her boyfriend wants to buy one of these.
2- There will be the 12 year old boy who will rattle off more stats and facts and a 12 year old brain should retain. I will let him sit in the car… but politely ask him to “get out!” when he requests the keys.
3- There will be some gear heads who accidently drool on weld beads of the rear suspension and mumble incoherently (these are my people).
4- And of course there will be the shop mechanic that sits down to tell me about his Mustang with the same motor as my GT... he will go on for 3 hours.

They will all be in love with some aspect of this car. It will utterly steal the show. They will take pictures and (if only in their mind) pretend to drive. They go away and think "that was one bad ass Ford." While they may be briefly amazed that Ford built it, they will be proud, respectful and contemplating how they will be able to get a piece of that dream.

That's what the petunia project boys (and girls) built it for.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
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Oct 18, 2006
1,361
Washington State
I have been a physic for some time. Yes I can read into the future.

Uhhhhhhhhhh ... a "physic" won't enable yuh to do THAT ...but, I can tell yuh whut it WILL do ... :lol :lol :lol :thumbsup
 

Fubar

Totally ****** Up
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Aug 2, 2006
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It's bad when you spell so poorly that your spell check doesn't even know what the hell your talking about.