As many are well aware at this point, the first-generation Ford GT – a spiritual successor to the legendary GT40 – went from concept to production model in a mere 15 months, an amazing feat in the automotive world. While the production Ford GT looks a lot like the concept, The Blue Oval had to do quite a bit of work to make it feasible in that timespan, including fix aerodynamics that were, well, quite unstable. FoMoCo worked through those issues with a handful of preproduction prototypes, and now, one is set to be auctioned off.
This preproduction 2005 Ford GT is slated to cross the block at Mecum’s upcoming Indianapolis, Indiana auction in May, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen that particular model – otherwise known as PB2-1 – go up for grabs. In fact, this same prototype was sold at the Russo and Steele Monterey Collector Automobile Auction in 2016, the same year we saw CP-1 (Confirmation Prototype 1) auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson.
Now, someone will get the chance to bring home PB2-1 yet again, which is the very last preproduction Ford GT prototype made before regular production began. It was used to complete several test drive sessions before that happened, as well as the final project sign-off from Blue Oval brass. As such, this prototype served an important role in both the development and manufacturing process, and is even equipped with various prototype parts added by SVT Engineering, which was exploring the possibility of making a Mark II model, too.
There are tons of unique and cool features present on this Ford GT, including special exhaust manifold shields with “Mark II” imprints, a smaller supercharger pulley than production models, and signatures from the car’s designer, Carmilo Pardo, plus Carroll Shelby and other folks involved in its development. The GT prototype is equipped with all four options available at the time – the McIntosh stereo system, BBS forged wheels, painted center racing stripes, and red brake calipers, too.
Finished in Midnight Blue Metallic with dual white racing stripes, this very special Ford GT is equipped with the same supercharged 5.4L V8 as production models, save for the aforementioned upgrades, and it’s mated to the Ricardo six-speed manual transmission. If nothing else, it’ll be interesting to see what someone is willing to pay for this piece of Blue Oval history in its latest trip across the auction block.
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