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eBay Find of the Day: Steve Saleen's pre-production Ford GT
Click above for high-res gallery of Saleen's pre-pro Ford GT
The Ford GT went from concept to production in record time thanks to companies like ROUSH and Saleen that have niche manufacturing capabilities. Saleen handled the assembly of the GT in its 200,000-sq ft facility in Troy, MI, and whether it was part of the deal or just a thank you from Ford, Steve Saleen ended up owning a pre-production Ford GT, one of only nine built. There are some differences from the production version, including a 4.6-liter Mustang Cobra V8 that has been bored out to 5.4-liters, as well as a unique supercharger system made specifically for the car. The bad news is that its pre-production status means it can't be registered as a street legal vehicle, so this Ford GT will most likely be relegated to a collector's garage.
[Soure: eBay Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 3:09PM (8/26/2008)
Why in God's name would he sell that? It's probably appreciating in value as we speak.
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Mike 4:50PM (8/26/2008)
*FLAME BAIT WARNING* Given the production Ford GT's service record I'm sure he's selling it requires constant trips to the garage and no Ford dealer will honor his warranty.
;) Had to be said.
mroverlord 5:49PM (8/26/2008)
Probably for the reason they noted - It's not able to be registered.
However, Jay Leno has many cars that are one off vehicles and he drives them....so I'm betting you can get anything registered if you try hard enough.
f650 8:17AM (8/27/2008)
This is exactly what I thought. I would think pre-production would be worth more in the grand scheme of things.
It can't be registered? So what. People don't buy #001 cars to drive them, let alone pre-production cars.
Bud Short 10:09PM (8/29/2008)
Why are they saying the car can't be registered? I have a car in my garage that looks very similar to that one and there is no law that keeps me from registering my kit car. Ever been to the Knott's Berry Farm or Carlisle kit car shows? Non-production GT-40's and GT-40 clones all over the place and every one registered and legal on the street. Why do I think that whoever said that this car can't be registered is full of ... prunes. Gimme that car and watch while I get the State to assign a VIN number for it.
Alex 3:14PM (8/26/2008)
The Ford GT is in the top 5 of cars to enter my garage uppon me winning the lottery.
#1: Jaguar D-type
#2: Jaguar E-type series 1
#3: Ford GT
#4: Lamborghini Countach 500 QV
#5: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
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john 3:10AM (8/27/2008)
typical british
BigMcLargeHuge 3:16PM (8/26/2008)
Only modern retro-styled vehicle that was a design success, IMO.
Absolutely stunning, awesome performer and true to classic form.
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Kookr 3:16PM (8/26/2008)
"currently $130,100.00" I had a hunch it would be cheap!
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axium 3:20PM (8/26/2008)
Seriously.... it's basicly a one off piece of automotive history.
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Murray 3:26PM (8/26/2008)
Cars usually aren't good investments. However, the Ford GT is one that will bring good money over time.
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inteller 3:35PM (8/26/2008)
interesting that the only motor plates they had were some cobra engine plates. This wasn't the case for the production rigs was it?
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axium 3:50PM (8/26/2008)
No, the production one had bespoke engine plates.
RLQ 5:55PM (8/26/2008)
Do want.
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geo.stewart 6:38PM (8/26/2008)
I had the same wiper stalk in my Focus.
Alas, thats probably as close as I'm going to get...
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typhoon5000 6:29AM (8/27/2008)
Way to catch up autoblog. I sent you a tip about this over a week ago.
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Cassidy 8:26PM (8/29/2008)
Dude, it's totally the Mach 5.
Go, Speed Racer, go!
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Emma 8:26PM (8/29/2008)
I love how AOL's headline is "Unsafe Ford looks like a missile". That thing is so awesome, though. I'm a girl and I like cars. Most guys think I'm weird, but they interest me. Just like jets do. If you;ve never been to the National Airforce Museum, I'd recommend it! :)
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Carrier_DK2 4:51AM (8/30/2008)
Emma, my 2 most favorite vehicles are and F-14 and a '63 Stingray.
Larry Freeman 8:41PM (8/29/2008)
If any of you are thinking of getting a GT I would not worry about "*FLAME BAIT WARNING*". I have an 05 which has been to a shop twice. Once for an oil change and to have the drive axle bolts changed on recall notice. That's it. No problems. Oh, and it has been modified with different supercharger snout allowing the use of a smaller pulley, so the charger is turning faster.
Will it wear out quicker? Larger throttle body, and modified programming. 670 HP and 654 Lbs. Ft. of torque at the wheels. As of today, still no problems. I have met 5 or 6 other owners, some with stock cars and some modified. None of them have mentioned excessive trips to the garage.
By the way, what a blast to drive!
Larry
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