In July's MotorTrend, they have a little blurb that says "whispers" around detroit are claiming that executives at ford are abandoning the GR-1, saying they need to put money into their regular cars rather than expensive super cars. That would mean the current Ford GT plant would be shuttered after this run of GT's.

I guess its probably a wise decision, but its a real bummer. Maybe this'll mean that instead of developing a new car to be the halo car for the company, they'll make a 600hp mustang or something. It'd be cheaper for ford and would give mustang fans something to brag about.

 

I don't think there is a Ford GT plant, per se. The engines are assembled by Ford at Wixom, and the cars are assembled by Saleen at the Saleen Special Vehicle facility.

I didn't really think they were going to produce the GR-1 anyway. (In fact, a former Ford employee told me about three months ago that he didn't think the GR-1 would ever see the light of day.) The Ford GT has fulfilled its purpose, and I don't think we'll see a replacement for it.

 

brads right, (as usual)

 

wow thats dampened my spirits, the gr-1 concept has to be the most beautiful car to ever come out of ford, not saying there are too many that are hard on the eyes but that concept was amazing

 

 

ya, i agree. they don't need a car like the GT in its line up forever. they made it for a couple years, its majesty will linger around for a couple years, it proved ford can build cars that'll rumble with the best from italy.
there've been a couple disappointments with cancelled plans for cool cars, like this one and the lightning, but i'd say its good to know they're making some wise decisions at a time when they need to play it smart.
i like ford.

 

i heard the NEW GT (07 or 08) will have a V-10 so it can meet some sort of crash standards

 

see that's what they were saying. without anything to do after this run of GTs, they'd have to shut down the plant, meaning that any 3rd generation of GT40 would be highly unlikely, at least for the next couple years. that's just what motor trend was saying anyways. i'll try to post exactly what they said, but its late, maybe tomorrow.

 

Like everyone else, I am dissapointed at this news, but not suprised. Ford is a mainstream manufacturer, used to dealing in tens of thousands of cars. To do such a small production run (as the GR-1 would be) is a very specialist area, probably best left to the companies that are geared up (or down) for it. I can completely see where Ford are coming from with this decision.

 

Like Jeff said, this leaves some breathing room for top-of-the-top-of-the line mustangs, say some sort of "R" version of the GT500. Perhaps lightened, actually given the twin-screw it deserves, and various other upgrades. A twin-screwed 5.4 liter could easily see 600 hp with very little cost to Ford as far as production line alterations are concerned, so the passing on of the GT may or may not be bad for we blue oval performance junkies.

 

I still here rumors that the new Shelby Cobra will come out sometime in the next few years. Hopefully, it would be nice to see Carroll leave with one last great car (besides the GT500 of course)

 

Why do they build awesome cars like that if they're going into production? Ford 49 Concept was another awesome concept that never went into production.

 

They're concepts. Just basically ideas to see what they can build and what the public thinks. The 49 was a beautiful concept but just didn't make it. A lot of it's design que's can be seen in the T-Birds though.

A lot of concepts are "test mules" for new engines and modifications to existing engines. The 4.6 3 valve was tested in an SN-95 body in the beginning.

Sometimes they just build them for fun too. SVT toyed around a year ago with that "Boss 351" Mustang (the one with the 351 V10). They knew it wouldn't be in production, especially since the new Mustang was coming out for 05, but they built it to see what they could do.

Don't you wish you could have a job like that? I know I do

 

I love the GR-1, but Ford should put more money into developing Rear Wheel Drive platforms for its cars!!! I think FWD is horrible and a FWD Lincoln LS sends me to tears!

I'd rather be peeling out than squeeling out !