Friday 24th March 2006

First Ford GT X-1 under the hammer

GT roadster sells at US car collectors club

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Ford GT X-1

If you fancy an open-top Ford GT, the first GT X-1 drop-top is about to go on sale. Previewed here on PistonHeads (see link below), it'll be shown at the fourth annual 2006 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Event in the US. Proceeds from the auction of the car will benefit a US charity in aid of missing and exploited children.

Unveiled at last year's Los Angeles SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), the GT X-1 retains the look of the hard-top but adds a pair of scoops above the engine bay, plus fairings behind the cabin occupants to act as wind deflectors. The four roof panels are removable and stow inside the car, so you can run it as either a hard-top, targa or full convertible.

It was designed by US coachbuilder Gennadi Design, who pulled in a number of accessory and aftermarket suppliers for items such as the wheels, audio system, Sparco seats and Brembo brakes. It includes a Ford Racing/Borla exhaust system, Pirelli tyres and Valencia yellow paint with tungsten silver striping, according to one report.

The car is inspired by Ford's history -- the original GT40 was itself inspired by the 1962 Mustang open-top concept and, in 1965, Ford built a handful of GT roadsters. One raced at Le Mans, while two had experimental aluminium chassis and were dubbed X-1.

It costs £85,000 for a GT plus £21,000 for the conversion.

• Related story: Ford unveils drop-top GT

[planetdave]

It costs £85,000 for a GT.

Put me down for 3.

[Polarbert]

Exactly, never knew you could get a Ford GT for 85k.

[Darth Viper]

Try eBay, they are around £85,000. Course you'd need to pay taxes on top, unless you bring it in on US plates (price includes US taxes), then you'd avoid all taxes, but only be 'supposed' to use it for a mamimum of 6 months before sending it back.