Yahoo Autos This 2004 Ford GT Development Prototype Is Being Auctioned on Bring a Trailer
The first-generation Ford GT is an icon of American performance and has become quite the valuable machine in recent years. While it is not unusual to see one of Ford's centennial celebration cars come up for auction, chances are you've never seen one like this. That because this 2004 Ford GT, known as Continuation Prototype 1, is the first running and driving example to have been built by the automaker during development. Now, someone has the chance to take the Ford GT bearing serial number 00004 home with a little help from Bring a Trailer.
Continuation Prototype 1 was utilized by Ford to do undergo emissions and road certification testing ahead of the car's 2005 sales debut. While it technically can drive, Ford previously installed a chip that limits the top speed to just five mph. The speed limiter doesn't really matter though, as this particular prototype is not road legal to begin with. This likely explains why only 1212 miles on are the odometer, and why it shows just 217 hours on the supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 engine.
The speed limiter isn't the only unique piece of hardware that can be found on this supercar prototype. The rear clamshell is made of carbon here, as opposed to the aluminum units that went into regular production. The steering wheel features a Mustang airbag and is mounted via a Ford Windstar steering column. You might also notice that the rear bumper is exposed, through which some emissions-testing exhaust tips are fed. Furthermore, the passenger side features nozzles that were installed to test various grades of fuel. The 2004 Ford GT Continuation Prototype 1 also sports a unique staggered set of BBS wheels, measuring 18-inches up front and 19-inches around back. Oh, and the front bumper is currently fixed in place with zip-ties. It is a development vehicle, after all.
Not only was the Confirmation Prototype 1 integral to getting the Ford GT to the market, but it was worked on by several high-profile figures at Ford. Names like Carroll Shelby, Bill Ford, Camilo Pardo, and Fred Goodnow can all be found inked on the car, which certainly won't hurt its value. In fact, bidding for the car currently sits at $200,000, but the June 30 end date is still far away. It might not be as useable as other Ford GTs of the era, but this one is undeniably a unique purchase.
Bring a Trailer is also owned by Road & Track's parent company, Hearst Autos.
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