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2005 Ford GT attracting attention at Sikeston dealership, nationwide
SIKESTON - It's flashy and fast and turning heads. The arrival Wednesday of a bright red 2005 Ford GT at Sikeston Motors even stopped traffic as it was unloaded from the car transport, according to Roger Elledge II with the local Ford, Mercury and Lincoln dealership.
"Everyone that comes in, it catches their eye," said Elledge. "Everyone is looking at it, asking about it and saying it is the 'coolest thing they have ever seen'."
The Ford GT has a impressive sports car history.
Henry Ford III decided in the early 1960s to give the European sports cars a look at American ingenuity. Ford and his designers created the Ford GT in 1963 and the vehicle soon earned a place in the winner's circle of some of the most prestigious races. In the 1966 Le Mans, a Ford GT took each of the top three places making the vehicle the dominant endurance racer of its time.
In 2003 as Ford Motor Company geared up for its centennial celebration, the Ford GT returned. According to Elledge the vehicle created such a stir, the company decided to produce a limited number once again.
Sikeston Motor was selected through a lottery system to receive one of the only 800 Ford GTs which are the first shipment of the 2005 model. Elledge pointed out the low-sitting vehicle is hand-crafted and comes with leather-trimmed, carbon fiber bucket seats.
The mid-engine aluminum-block V8 featuring 550 horsepower at 6,500 rpms combined with a six-speed manual transmission enables the Ford GT to go to 0-60 in 3.3 seconds. Motor Trend magazine called the GT's acceleration "awe-inspiring."
The dealership was able to customize their vehicle. They selected the striping package, stereo and paint.
Elledge said the color just had to be red. "The sports car in its truest form is always red. I just knew this car had to be red," he said then adding with a laugh: "And it looks great in my humble opinion."
The car arrived numbered - the vehicle is 423 - and will remain on display in the dealership's show room until sold to the highest bidder. Elledge said the cars are currently selling for $200,000 and even more.
Adding he hopes the public, whether they are race fans or car buffs or simply looking for a new car, will drop by the dealership to take a look at the Ford GT. "This isn't a daily-driver car," he added. "This is an important piece of automotive history."
Sikeston Motor Co. is located 1030 S. Main St.