On an interview with @Ford Online, the Executive Vice President of Product Development and Chief Technical Officer at Ford Motor Company Raj Nair revealed that most of the new 2017 Ford GT models would go to previous owners of the 2005 GT.
The statement comes after the vehicle was first announced back in 2015, giving buy priority to loyal customers of the automotive brand. The auto company would then open up a selection process a little over four months ago in April to choose the lucky 500 drivers that would get the opportunity to purchase one of the limited-production supercars.
“AS GESTURE OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR FORD ENTHUSIASTS, 87 PERCENT OF THE SELECTED APPLICANTS ARE EXISTING FORD VEHICLE OWNERS AND 69 PERCENT OWN A PREVIOUS GENERATION FORD GT,” said Nair.
The Ford executive also hinted at an extended production of 2017 Ford GTs, claiming that the company is working on a plan to satisfy further clients that did not make the initial 500 cut.
A short history of Ford GT
The 2017 Ford GT is the second iteration of a new generation of vehicles started by the automotive company back in 2005 with the first GT. However, both cars are inspired in the legendary Ford GT40.
Ford conceived the GT40 as a rival to the everlasting reign of Ferrari back in the 60s when the Scuderia won the 24 Hours of Le Mans every year from 1960 to 1965. The GT40 would end that streak and start its own, winning four years in a row from 1966 to 1969.
The automotive company had been hinting at homage vehicles ever since the mid-90s, finally presenting an all-new GT model in the early 2000s. A limited production started in late 2004 until the end of 2006, with a little over 4,000 cars manufactured and sold for over $100,000 each.
The 2017 Ford GT: an exclusive timeless classic
During the interview with @Ford Online, Raj Nair also stated that the company contemplates a limited production of only 500 GTs over the span of two years, while they had received over 6,500 applications to get the privilege to acquire the car.
However, more ludicrous than an application form to be considered to purchase a Ford GT were the questions inside the application itself. First, applicants must pass a regional filter, for delivery is limited to less than 20 countries.
Last but not least #SuperCarSunday #FordGT @Bertieschip @LeahRebeccaUK @LienhardRacing @lcbernalo @Aventurero64 pic.twitter.com/n5G0V7Fdux
— Rafael_WRC (@RafaMSport) August 15, 2016
Second, the potential owners must answer a series of personal questions. Finally, the future GT drivers must complete a series of issues related to the Ford brand and their experience with Ford GTs and other vehicles in the past, including essay-type questions in which the answer is free-form.
The new 2017 Ford GT will reportedly cost over $400,000, and those lucky enough to receive an acceptance letter will get their supercars later this year.
Source: @Ford Online
