The Ford GT of the mid-2000s serves as a modern homage to the legendary GT40, which famously secured Ford’s triumph over Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Given its racing heritage, it is no wonder that the vast majority of buyers opted for the classic racing stripes. However, one specific 2006 model, currently listed on the DuPont Registry, defies this convention.
A Rare Factory Specification
Records indicate that this vehicle is one of merely two 2006 Ford GTs that departed the factory painted in Speed Yellow without the signature stripes. While the lack of markings across the hood may feel unconventional to enthusiasts, it highlights a distinct aesthetic. The original 2002 Detroit Auto Show concept that introduced this generation of the supercar featured yellow paint paired with black stripes—a look more reminiscent of the later Mark IV GT40 rather than the 1966 Le Mans-winning Mark II that served as the primary design inspiration.
This particular unit features a black leather interior and factory-optional red brake calipers. Initially sold by Davies Ford in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, the car has since passed through three private owners across Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. Currently residing in Tennessee, the odometer reads 8,734 miles.
Timeless Performance Specs
The 2006 GT blended retro-inspired design with performance metrics that remain competitive today. Built around a custom aluminum spaceframe chassis with aluminum bodywork, the car is powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. Delivering 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, the vehicle was capable of hitting 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, provided the driver mastered the six-speed manual gearbox. With a top speed of 205 mph, it stood among the elite road-legal supercars of its era.
Legacy of the First-Generation GT
Between 2004 and 2006, Ford produced a total of 4,038 units of this generation at its Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan. The company kept production numbers restricted and carefully vetted buyers, establishing a prestige-focused sales strategy that would later be mirrored by the second-generation GT.
The successor model took a different strategic path. While the first-generation GT was primarily a road-going car, the second-generation was built specifically to secure a class victory at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the 50th anniversary of the original GT40’s success. Utilizing a twin-turbo V6 and advanced aerodynamics, the newer model emphasized technological progress, though many purists maintain that the retro-styled first generation holds a unique emotional appeal.