2006 Ford GT

• Assembled in Wixom, Michigan in January 2006 and finished in Mk IV Red Clearcoat
• 550bhp, 5.4-litre, dual overhead camshaft, electronic fuel injection, supercharged, V8
• Fitted with active safety belts, airbags, optional forged BBS wheels and racing stripes
• US-supplied and unregistered with just 43 miles
• This rare GT is worthy of a place in any collectors stable and should not be missed at today's guide

The Ford GT began life as a concept car designed in anticipation of the carmaker's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its heritage models such as the Mustang and Thunderbird. At the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new GT40 concept car. Camilo Pardo, the then head of Ford's Living Legends studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays and Carroll Shelby, the original designer of the Shelby GT500, was brought in by Ford to help develop the GT including performance testing of the prototype.

The GT is similar in outward appearance to the original GT40 but is bigger, wider, and most importantly four in (100 mm) taller than the original's 40 in (100 cm) overall height; as a result, a potential name for the car was the GT44. Although the cars are visually related, structurally, there is no similarity between the modern GT and the 1960's GT40 that inspired it. Three pre-production cars were shown to the public in 2003 as part of Ford's centenary celebrations, and delivery of the production version, simply called the Ford GT, began in the Autumn of 2004.

The ultra-high performance Ford GT showcases the finest in advanced technologies, constructed on a lightweight aluminium chassis clothed in superplastic-formed lightweight composite and aluminium body panels. Powered by a mid-mounted, hand-built, supercharged quad-cam 550bhp V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transaxle and featuring racing-derived suspension and braking systems, the GT is hugely powerful and delivers astounding performance. It can accelerate from 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds, hurtling on to some 205mph before the speed limiter kicks in. When production ceased in 2006, with just over 4,000 Ford GTs produced, 101 were delivered new to Europe and only a handful to other markets, this epic Ford had made its mark on automotive history once again - and became an instant collector's car.

From its VIN number, we can tell that the car on offer today was assembled in Wixom, Michigan during January 2006. It was specified with active safety belts and driver and passenger airbags and was powered by a 5.4-litre, dual overhead camshaft, electronic fuel injection, supercharged, V8. It left the factory finished in 'Mk IV Red Clearcoat' with a Centennial White stripe and an Ebony interior bound for distributor Autofair Ford Inc. of Manchester, New Hampshire prior to being dispatched to its first lucky owner in Madrid.

In 2014, it was imported into the UK and the history file contains the NOVA, making UK-registration a formality if required with all taxes paid. It was purchased from David Jones', dedicated Ford GT specialist, GT101 Ltd. by our vendor and, at the time of cataloguing had covered just 43 miles. The history file contains all the relevant records, Certificate of Origin and title documents tracking its passage to the point today, where it's possible to acquire a delivery-mileage Ford GT.

Given its inimitable heritage, prolific performance, stunning design, and the thrilling driving experience, the Ford GT is a very special creation that will undoubtedly be revered for many years to come.