2005 Ford GT (Mark IV Red)

First shown in 2002 to celebrate Ford Motor Company's upcoming centennial, the Ford GT concept was designed by Camilo Pardo under the direction of Ford Design Chief J. Mays — clearly inspired by the all-conquering GT40s that beat Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966 and dominated through 1969. Built using space-age materials and construction techniques, each GT was assembled in five stages across Norwalk, Ohio; Troy, Michigan; Romeo, Michigan; and Wixom, Michigan — the last vehicle project completed at Wixom.

According to published sources, only 4,033 examples were produced in all. This 2005 Ford GT is 1 of only 765 to be finished in Mark IV Red Clearcoat of the 2,450 built for the 2005 model year. Ford only offered four options for these vehicles, and this example originally checked the box for all four: BBS Forged alloy wheels, full-length racing strips, rocker panel strips, and a McIntosh sound system (since upgraded to an Alpine unit).

5-liter Whipple supercharger — originally producing 550 horsepower, the Whipple adds over 250 more ponies, taking it to near 800 horsepower. Mated to a Ricardo six-speed manual transmission, the combination creates a race-like experience that is 100 percent road legal. Originally sold new at Downtown Ford Sales in Sacramento, California, this Ford GT was acquired by the Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum in the fall of 2018 and has been a staple of the collection ever since.