American Born Exotic

I first became interested in the Ford GT40 as a child visiting the Ford Museum in Michigan. To this day, I'm still in love with the beautiful lines of the car that dominated Le Mans in the 1960's. Ford has now produced a street-legal sports car inspired by the legend.

From a performance standpoint, the 550HP supercharged engine has plenty of muscle to snap your head back when you hit the gas. The engine noise is relatively muted compared to some. Rather than a growl or rumble, expect the higher-pitched whine of the supercharger as you rocket forward. After the gearbox has had a chance to warm, it shifts smoothly and firmly, requiring moderate foot pressure on the clutch pedal. The combination of an incredibly low center of gravity and the even weight distribution of a mid-engine car, makes for handling that is very precise and stable. The ride is firm, but surprisingly comfortable for such a stiff suspension. You can look up all the performance numbers. The bottom line is that the car is a blast to drive.

As fun as the car is to drive, I would have to say that I equally enjoy the looks of the car. The car has beautiful lines and proportions that really turn heads. The Ford design team did a wonderful job of lifting style elements from the original while updating the car 40 years. The overall fit and finish are very good, but don't expect the flawlessness of a Lexus with this limited production car.

The main critiques of the car would be the lack of storage, limited rear visibility, and slightly awkward doors (requiring approximately 3 feet of clearance).

Compared to similar European exotics, the Ford GT delivers an incredible package of performance and style at a relative bargain price.