Latest news with #FordGTs
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The only Ford GT Roadster to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is going up for auction
When it comes to car collecting, major enthusiasts with deep pockets are always searching for a car that screams of exclusivity, rarity, and has a great story to tell. Much like Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 917 signed by Steve McQueen that recently sold for upwards of $25 million, this Ford GT Roadster is the Holy Grail of motorsports collections, and the centerpiece to the upcoming Indy 2025 auction hosted by Mecum. This 1965 Ford GT Competition Prototype Roadster GT/109 is an extraordinary piece of automotive history, holding the incredible distinction of being the only Ford GT Roadster to ever compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. During its heyday, sitting behind the wheel were accomplished French racers Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier, both legends in the world of racing. Completed in March 1965 by Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV) in Slough, England, GT/109 is one of just 12 prototypes, with only five Roadsters ever built—today, only GT/109 and its sister car GT/108 remain. The GT prototype burst onto the scene in April 1964, a marvel of (then) modern engineering that combined exotic beauty with the most advanced technology of its day. Despite facing a rocky start with devastating crashes and unfinishedhed races, the program was reinvigorated in December 1964 when Ford sent two Coupes, GT/103 and GT/104, to the talented team at Shelby American in Los Angeles. Under the watchful eye of Shelby Chief Engineer Phil Remington, these cars underwent an intense phase of testing and refinement, culminating in a triumphant victory at the Daytona Continental in February 1965. GT/109 was then entrusted to Shelby in March 1965 for final modifications in preparation for Le Mans. This included a race-ready Cobra-spec engine, lightweight Halibrand magnesium wheels, and an array of design enhancements such as front corner air dams and side-mounted engine oil radiators, which all but guaranteed peak performance on the track. Upon arriving in France, GT/109 was re-numbered from 9 to 15 and wore the racing colors of Ford of France, a head-turning combo of white paint with a bold dark blue center stripe bordered in vibrant red. With a weight of just 2,350 pounds, it was the leanest competitor among the six Ford GTs entered that year. During the race, it was initially piloted by Trintignant, but fell short of finishing after suffering a gearbox failure on the 11th lap. Interestingly, at one point, GT/109's driver door was temporarily borrowed by another Ford GT that had lost a door, showcasing the camaraderie among competitors. Though none of the Ford GTs finished the grueling Le Mans race in 1965, GT/109's legacy paved the way for Ford's future triumphs in endurance racing. After the Le Mans race, GT/109 bounced back to Shelby American for some servicing, with a work order set up on June 28 to get it back in shape. It then became a test vehicle at Kar Kraft for the J-Car project, where they worked on various parts, including an automatic transmission and a 4-cam Indianapolis engine. Eventually, GT/109 returned to Shelby American for a rebuild and spent around two years in storage before being moved to a Ford warehouse in Detroit. In 1968, Hollywood stuntman Dean Jeffries stumbled upon the car while visiting Detroit with A.J. Foyt. Excited to see it, he asked to buy it, and Ford Racing Director Jacques Passino casually said, 'No problem, you can have it. We're done with the GT Roadster program.' By the '60s, Jeffries had made a name for himself in the fast car scene in Southern California. He was famous for painting 'Little Bastard' on James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder and had a solid partnership with Carroll Shelby while working on the Cobra project. When he picked up GT/109, he went all out on the restoration, first trying a 4-cam Indy engine before switching to a Shelby-built 289 CI racing engine that had actually seen action at Le Mans. He later showed it off at Ford's '100 Years of Racing History Celebration' in August 2003. In 2013, Dana Mecum bought GT/109 from Jeffries' son and enlisted Harley Cluxton III of GTC Mirage Racing to give it a professional restoration, bringing it back to its original Le Mans setup. The rebuild included a Ford/Shelby intake manifold, Weber carburetors, and the famous 'Bundle of Snakes' exhaust. Other original parts featured a rebuilt 1965 ZF transaxle, SEV Marchal headlights, Halibrand magnesium wheels, a rare NOS Ford GT wiper blade, and Carroll Shelby's original brake-light switch. GT/109 snagged Second in Class at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, finishing right behind the 1966 Le Mans winner. It also took home Best of Show at the Milwaukee Concours and served as Honorary Marshal at the American Speed Festival in 2023. In 2024, it proudly landed Second in Class at The Amelia Concours. As one of only two surviving Ford GT Competition Prototype Roadsters and the only one to race at Le Mans, GT/109's achievements helped put Ford on the map against Ferrari and made the 1965 Ford GT Competition Prototype Roadster the world's first American supercar. If you want a piece of this unbelievably unique automotive unicorn, head to Mecum's auction in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 17th, and make sure you've got your credit limits raised. The post The only Ford GT Roadster to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is going up for auction appeared first on The Manual.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GAA Classic Cars Auction Delivers Spectacular Results in February 2025 Event
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious The GAA Classic Cars Auction in February 2025 kicked off the year with a resounding success, achieving a remarkable 78% sell-through rate of the lots offered. Held at the state-of-the-art Automobile Palace in Greensboro, NC, the event drew car enthusiasts and collectors who were eager to bid on a selection of 750 collector vehicles. One of the highlights of the event was the Bidder's Choice Promotion, where the winning bidder had the opportunity to choose from one of three exceptional 2006 Ford GTs. The choices included a Mark IV Red GT with 837 miles, a Tungsten Silver GT with 828 miles, and a Centennial White GT with just 13 miles. The Mark IV Red GT was the top choice, fetching an impressive $556,200, while the Tungsten Silver GT followed closely at $540,000. In addition to the excitement of the auction, the event also supported a significant cause. George and Megan Shinn, in collaboration with N.C. Baptists, initiated ServeNC, an ambitious $20 million initiative aimed at rebuilding homes and supporting ministry efforts in regions of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The auction played a pivotal role in this initiative, raising $562,420 through bids and donations. This contribution marked a crucial step towards achieving the fundraising goal, though efforts to reach the $20 million target continue. Among the auction's top sales were several standout vehicles, including a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette that sold for $349,250 and a 1961 Cadillac Biarritz that garnered $231,120. The event also featured a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which sold for $192,500, and a 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon 170, fetching $170,500. The excitement of the auction was captured live and broadcast on MAVTV, featuring exclusive interviews and detailed insights into the highlighted vehicles. MAVTV will continue to air reruns of this spectacular event in the coming months, allowing enthusiasts who missed the live event to experience the thrill of the auction. For those interested in future events or more information about GAA Classic Cars Auctions, which holds 3-4 collector car auctions annually, visit their website at The team is already preparing for the next auction, promising another remarkable lineup of classic and collector cars.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Cars From the 2000s That Are Worth a Lot of Money
The need to constantly revisit the past has taken a twist over the past few years, as social media turns trends over at a quicker pace on everything from financial information to pop culture. When it comes to the automotive industry, however, you can typically count on models coming back into fashion around the 20-year mark. Discover More: Try This: 4 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Savings in 2025 It's an exciting time for car lovers who lived through the industry shifts during the 2000s, and there are plenty of interesting models that are attracting younger enthusiasts, eager to discover automotive relics from the aughts for the first time. The 2000s are hot — four of the 11 vehicles highlighted in Hagerty's 2025 Bull Market List are from that decade. Luckily, cars that have seen upswings in popularity, like the Audi TT Quattro Coupe, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and the Mini Cooper S, can still found in decent condition and at reasonable prices. However, many 20-year-old models now cost significantly more than their original MSRPs. Here are five cars from the 2000s that are worth a lot more than you think. MSRP When New: $150,000 Expect To Pay: $350,000-$500,000 A quick search for Ford GTs from 2016-2022 will net you many listed for around $1 million. Thankfully, these later GTs have restored interest in the original mid-2000 models, for which you can expect to pay up to $500,000. Scarcity drives demand and price, and just over 4,000 of these gorgeous specimens were produced. Back in 2004, Car and Driver put this 'street vehicle' up against Porsche's 911 GT3 and Ferrari's Challenge Stradale, and the GT wiped the road with them. Be Aware: MSRP When New: $165,000 Expect To Pay: $94,200-$206,400 A pricey Lamborghini isn't much of a surprise, but Gallardo models of this vintage are especially popular now. In fact, Classic Driver claims the Gallardo is the most successful model in Lamborghini's history. This Lambo has no scissor doors, no turbos and no V-12 engine, but the 5.0-liter V10 supercar was built with Audi expertise and catered to the driver, rather than the speed freak. Hagerty has Gallardos from the 2000s going for between $94,200 and $206,400, depending on condition. MSRP When New: $62,000 Expect To Pay: $29,200-$65,800 Car and Driver started its review of the 2008 BMW M3 with a bold claim that the car bordered on perfection and was the 'Ultimate Driving Machine.' Muscle, style and performance define the M3, but checking out the repair history is essential if you're interested in buying one; M3s can be costly to repair — and expensive to fill up the tank! This is the only vehicle from the 2000s listed here that won't run you more than six figures, so this might be a great time to look into buying one before it becomes a 'modern classic,' according to Hagerty's 2024 Bull Market List. This noughties machine hasn't appreciated much over the years, but judging by the interest shown by younger drivers and collectors, prices will start to move north of Hagerty's ceiling price of $65,800 faster than you think. MSRP When New: $101,706 Expect To Pay: $44,300-$146,000 Belittled for its gas guzzling tendencies, the H1 was based on the U.S. military's Humvee and beloved for its off-road capabilities. Collectors are keen on this indestructible wide-body and the confidence that comes with driving a Hummer. In any environment, 'the Hummer's abilities never cease to amaze,' according to MotorTrend. Hardly practical for everyday use, the H1 is a fun adventure vehicle for those undeterred by its beastly size. MSRP When New: $450,000 Expect To Pay: $199,000-$430,000 Gifted with the potential of 617 horsepower at 6,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 575 pound-feet of torque at a low 3,250 rpm, this two-passenger, exotic performance coupe is also luxurious as all get out, per Edmunds. Back in the 2000s, the SLR McLaren competed with the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti in price, and in excellent condition, its cost hovers around its original MSRP of $450,000. More From GOBankingRates5 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money 4 Reasons All Retirees Should Have a Safety Deposit BoxThis article originally appeared on 5 Cars From the 2000s That Are Worth a Lot of Money Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GAA Classic Cars Set to Auction 750 Collector Vehicles in Greensboro
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Car enthusiasts and collectors are gearing up for one of the most exciting automotive events of 2025 as GAA Classic Cars prepares to auction 750 collector vehicles at its premier Automobile Palace in Greensboro, North Carolina. Taking place from February 20-22, this highly anticipated event will feature everything from pre-war classics to modern performance cars in an 8-acre, climate-controlled facility. Among the standout lots is ST0086.1, which offers bidders the rare opportunity to choose one of three 2006 Ford GTs: Tungsten Silver GT – Supercharged 5.4L/550hp V-8 engine, only 828 miles, with gloss black calipers. Mark IV Red GT – One of only 348 finished in Mark IV Red, featuring a Ricardo 6-speed manual gearbox, with 836 miles. Centennial White GT – With just 13 miles, this GT is one of only 200 produced for Canada, featuring racing stripes, painted calipers, and BBS wheels. Corvette lovers will find an impressive lineup of iconic models, including: 1963 Split Window Corvette – Saddle tan exterior with a 327 CID engine producing 300hp. 1959 Corvette – A white and silver beauty believed to have been previously owned by Hollywood legend Dean Martin. 1967 Corvette Convertible – Stunning in Elkhart Blue, this classic has just 6,716 actual miles. Beyond American muscle, the auction will feature some incredibly unique vehicles, including: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 – A rotisserie-restored classic with the sought-after LS6 engine. 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz – Painted in Fontana Rose, featuring a modern LS3 engine and maroon leather seats. 1949 Tatra T600 Tatraplan – A Czechoslovakian rarity from one of the world's oldest car manufacturers. 1951 Restored Herreshoff Double-Ended Yacht – A stunning piece of maritime history for those looking to sail in style. For those who can't attend in person, MAVTV will broadcast live coverage of the prime-time auction lineup, offering viewers exclusive interviews and insights into the rarest vehicles. Friday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET Full streaming details available at 📅 Dates: February 20-22, 2025⏰ Gates Open: 8:00 AM daily | Auction Starts: 9:30 AM ET🎟️ Admission: $20 per person, sold at the gate📍 Location: 301 Norwalk Street, Greensboro, NC 27407 With a diverse mix of classic muscle, European rarities, and high-performance modern collectibles, the GAA Classic Cars Auction is shaping up to be an unmissable event for automotive aficionados.
