2006 Ford GT

This low mileage 2006 Ford GT, one of just 317 factory Mark II examples in black with twin silver racing stripes, was delivered new to Canada and imported to the UK from The Legendary Car Company in 2014.

It is in exceptional condition, and its aesthetics, dynamics and presentation are far more a reflection of its low mileage and meticulous curation than its age.

It left the factory with specifications including a push-button start, air conditioning, electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, and a heated rear screen. 

Optional factory-fitted extras on this car include BBS wheels and a McIntosh audiophile system. 

Entry to the UK required a few minor revisions to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

These included a revised rear brake light wiring system, the addition of rear fog and reverse lamps attached under the rear bumper (with a fog lamp switch under the dashboard), head-lamp bulbs changed to UK spec (originals retained) and, in order to avoid drilling holes in the bodywork, the addition of subtle LED side indicators on the wings.

In 2017 the vendor acted on Ford’s recall advice and had new, high-tensile drive shaft bolts fitted. At the same time, he took the opportunity to replace the clutch with the recommended higher spec ‘Super Twin Clutch Kit SS-TRIM’ and flywheel performance sports clutch system. The car has clocked-up very few miles since these upgrades. 

The original shine and lustre were returned to the paintwork in 2023, courtesy of a professionally-applied ceramic coating. 

Accompanying the car are the original seats, which were replaced in 2021 by a pair from a GT with 500 miles on the odometer, a spare set of black Brembo brake callipers (for people who don’t want the red versions currently in situ), a spare set of almost new hubs, and a spare ECU unit. 

The car’s MoT, with no advisories, is valid until 25.7.24.

Now then.

We have driven this stunning vehicle and can report, with more than a little moistness in our eyes, that if left quite an impression upon us.

This car is the real deal. 

It’s not pretending to be a long-legged inter-continental GT cruiser à la Aston Martin, Maserati or Bentley. 

It doesn’t have the softness, or opulence, or benign manners for that sort of comfortable, entitled indulgence.

Nor is it bristling with electronic wizardry, dozens of drive modes or bafflingly complex engineering like some of its more rarefied Teutonic rivals from Zuffenhausen. 

Once you’re inside and you’ve bent your spine to fit the seats and avoided decapitating yourself with the scissor doors, you’re left in no doubt that this beast is not about comfort, or luxury or the haptic joys of fine leather, rich veneers or exquisitely turned bezels.

This is all about harnessing the chassis, the drivetrain and the 32-valve DOHC 550bhp V8 in the optimally harmonious pursuit of pure, unadulterated, raw, blisteringly fast, visceral, performance motoring bliss.

It’s a truly unique driving experience and one that we feel sure would be recognisable to Ken Miles and Caroll Shelby, so embedded is its Le Mans DNA and its place on the starry arc of Ford’s racing history.

When you fire it up, birds fall from the sky, puzzled by the early (or late) arrival of November 5th.

Twenty minutes later, when the dials are telling you that everything is nicely warmed up and you’ve finally accepted that you’re not going to be receiving much useful visual feedback from any of the virtually pointless mirrors, you find a stretch of road that allows you to select third gear and put your foot down.

Mercy.

The hysterical cacophony of demented pops, roars, shrieks and barks coming from just behind your head is truly extraordinary and will, we absolutely promise you, have the hairs on your neck standing to attention within a fraction of a second.

We saw pedestrians diving headlong into hedges when they heard it coming. And they were about a mile away.

People who only saw or heard it at the last moment dropped to their knees, made the sign of the cross and tried desperately to contact their loved ones.

It picks up pace like a fighter jet and holds onto it like the Flying Scotsman.

It is relentless, intoxicating, thrilling, slightly frightening and utterly wonderful.

We’ve driven lots of cars here at HQ, including some rather impressive exotica from the world’s great sporting marques.

Nothing has turned more heads, won more admiring glances or prompted more soundless mimes of “What the f***?” than this low, sleek, purposeful, snarling black beauty.

People who know what it is burst into spontaneous applause. 

People who don’t know what it is just point at it with their mouths open and their eyes as big as saucers.

It looks wonderful and it sounds and goes even better than it looks.

The panels, panels gaps and shut-lines are even, crisp and consistent. 

The bodywork is excellent and is wholly uncompromised by any dinks, dents, creases or folds that we can see.

The black paintwork has plenty of shine and lustre and really pops and sings in the sunshine.

The wheels are very good, as are the tyres. 

At the front you’ll find Goodyear Eagle F1s – 235/45 ZR18.

At the rear, a pair of mahoosive Bridgestone Potenzas – 345/35 ZR19. 

There are a few tiny stone chips on the bonnet, around the ‘nose’ of the car and on the front valance, but even these are more notable for their small size and number than their presence.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all decent and have resisted the passage of time with commendable stoicism.

There are a couple of patches of lacquer missing from the edges of the engine ‘window’.

As we said, don’t expect veneered picnic tables or Connolly hides.

It’s really not that sort of car.

Expect, instead, bucket seats of a firmness that will make you want to arrange a consultation with a chiropractor, a selection of knobs and switches that look as if they might have been borrowed from a Ford Fiesta, and an unrelentingly macho black-and-silver colour palette. 

It’s all in good condition and, as far as we can tell, nothing is damaged, worn or otherwise meaningfully compromised.

There’s a permanently lit warning light telling you that one of the doors isn’t properly closed. It is properly closed - the warning light sensor would seem to be the problem.

We didn’t tweak every lever, press every knob or flick every switch, but those we did tweak, press and flick did as they were told without complaining.

The magnificent engine bay looks clean and dry and everything seems to be in its right and proper place. 

The undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity and are entirely in keeping with what you’d expect to find on a fair-weather, always-garaged car with fewer than 25,000 miles on the clock.

The car is accompanied by all of its owner’s manuals contained in a black leather wallet, the Ford owner’s certificate, and a Ford window sticker.

It also comes with a recent, clear HPI check and an MoT certificate that’s valid until 25th July 2024.

This beautiful brute has the spirit of 1960s Le Mans victories coursing through its veins like lettering through a stick of rock.

It is built to go very fast and to handle like a pedigree thoroughbred supercar.

No, you wouldn’t want to drive to the South of France in it. You can use your Continental GT or DB12 for that.

But you will want to hear its magnificent roar as often as humanly possible – even if you’re just nipping out to Waitrose or down to the Dog & Duck. 

This example ticks all the right boxes in terms of provenance, low miles, low ownership and of course, condition.

We like it a great deal and we’re frankly a bit miffed than someone other than us will end up owning it.

We’re confident to offer this excellent vehicle for auction with an estimate of £220,000 - £240,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.