The new Ford GT Welcome Guide opens with a dramatic image
After getting allocated a new Ford GT in July of 2016, I (along with 749 other folks) began anxiously awaiting news from the Ford GT Concierge Service. As the initial GT allocation letter indicated, the Ford GT Concierge Service will provide “…a unique client experience from the initial ordering process, through delivery and ownership.” Let’s take a close look through every page of the new Ford GT Welcome Guide that showed up in October of 2016, a couple after I was confirmed an allocation.
It’s hard to know what color this Ford GT is, but I like it!
Really, if you want a sense of what it’s like to be allocated a new Ford GT just picture those images we’ve all seen of newborn birds whenever momma bird flies into the nest. It doesn’t matter how big or small the worm is, every hatchling is arching their head back while almost vibrating with anticipation of receiving even the tiniest bite. Yup, that’s us.
The Ford GT Concierge Service sounds pretty impressive…
The new Ford GT welcome guide is, thankfully, far more than a bite of information. It’s a 20-slide deck detailing much of the order and delivery process I’ll experience with my new GT. There’s not much in here we didn’t already know, but seeing the process explained in print (and cool graphics) still had me vibrating with anticipation as I read through the guide.
A long list of non-U.S. countries will experience the new Ford GT.
One of the first things I noticed about this document is that’s it’s specifically called the “US Welcome Guide” — a subtle reminder that, this time around, the Ford GT isn’t just destined for U.S. roads. Sure, a couple hundred of the 4038 GTs from 2005 and 2006 traveled beyond U.S. boarders, but 90 percent stayed home. This time around, something like 300 of the 1,000 new Ford GTs (that’s 30 percent, in case your math isn’t any better than mine) are traveling abroad.
All Ford GT buyers will pick their selling dealer
Of course the big Ford GT news this time around is the option all buyers have to pick their Preferred Selling Dealer while also being assured of buying their Ford GT as MSRP. A highly-specialized, limited-production car like this will have far more demand than supply, but Ford wanted to avoid the inevitable “market adjustment” on the new GT’s pricing.
Ford GT exterior designer Garen Nicoghosian works in a secret room
These images of the Ford GT in development reminded me of the how the car was created in total secrecy. Note the contrast of the GT’s advanced shape in these clay models against the concrete walls and exposed plumbing in the background. Supposedly only about 12 people knew of the car’s existence before the Detroit Auto Show in January of 2015. I think 7 of them are in this photo.
For people living in cold weather, your delivery date is limited
Several factors will determine when each buyer gets his or her Ford GT. Among them is temperature, as Ford has already decided it won’t deliver cars in cold weather. Probably smart given the new Ford GT’s performance, and the potential for tragedy if those rear tires lack grip on the first day an owner drives one.
The timing from oder to delivery is approximately 9 months
How long before I get my Ford GT? If the timeline laid out in this welcome guide is to be believed delivery is approximately 9 months after the order process begins. My oder process began in June 2018, but that timeframe seems to include “continued owner support.” And the asterisk next to “approximately 9 months” indicates “timing may vary.” I hope it varies much shorter in my case and it arrives around January 2019.
Ford’s passion is driving production of this car, and it starts at the top
I like this quote from Mark Fields. I’ve known Mark for a long time, and as a 2005 Ford GT owner (he’s got a red one) I know he’s passionate about high performance cars. After the new Ford GT was announced for production Mark told me, “I don’t know who is getting the rest of them, but I know where numbers one and two are going.” He was referring to Bill Ford Jr. and himself.
The Ford GT order process involves much more than choosing color and options
The process of ordering a new Ford GT will be far more involved than any previous car I’ve purchased. It’s not just picking colors and options, which in and of itself can be quite involved if you go outside the factory colors and decide on a custom shade. But there’s also a range of carbon fiber finishes and interior treatment options. Plus all the wheel and stripe options that have been shown on the Ford GT Configurator.
Completing your Ford GT order includes providing a 50 percent deposit
Given the Welcome Guide puts the order completion process as a 60-day timeframe it’s clear Ford wants owners to be fully comfortable with their options and selling dealer choice. This is also when you have to provide a 50 percent deposit based on the final price of the Ford GT as optioned.
Order finalization means exactly what it sounds like
Once you finalize your order (and pay your 50 percent deposit) you can’t make any changes. With all the configuration choices available on the new Ford GT I knew finalizing my choice would be tough. At this point it becomes the ultimate “speak now or forever hold your peace” moment.
The team behind the new Ford GT is overflowing with genuine car guys
The team behind the new Ford GT is made up of genuine car guys, most of which have been at Ford for a long time. Dave Pericak is the man behind the 2012 and 2013 Boss Mustang, as well as the redesigned 2015 Mustang and its Shelby variations. He’s as enthusiastic about performance as anyone I’ve ever met from an automaker.
Buyers will be updated throughout the Ford GT’s 2-week build phase
It’s become common for modern car buyers to have full knowledge of where their vehicle is in the build process. Ford will offer this information to buyers over the 2-week build phase of their new Ford GT. Given the specialized nature of this car I can’t wait to see the process first hand, which every owner is offered.
Liquid Blue remains one of my favorite colors for the new Ford GT
I struggled with the color choice for my Ford GT, but I knew Liquid Blue was always the likely winner. This color looks so right on this car, and when I remove all thoughts of rarity or coordination with stripes and brake caliper colors, and simply let myself react to each shade when I see it in the configurator, Liquid Blue stirs me the most.
Ford GT delivery choices are wide, and include picking it up at a track facility
The options for taking delivery of a new Ford GT sound almost as limitless as the extended color palette. You can of course pick it up at the dealer, but you can also get it dropped at your house or during a special event. Or, as I’m considering, a shop specializing in clear wrap to immediately protect its paint.
I was at Le Mans this year when Ford won, and it was an amazing experience
Seeing Bill Ford Jr. immediately after Ford won at Le Mans this year was an amazing experience. He was understandably overjoyed, as I think he felt the spirit of Henry Ford II watching from above and reveling in another Ford-Ferrari battle.
Additional events and opportunities will go along with Ford GT ownership
The Ford GT Concierge Service will continue after the ordering and delivery process. The Welcome Guide says “Ford GT owner offerings are available while you anticipate the arrival of your new Ford GT and after you have taken delivery. The Ford GT Concierge will make you aware of these opportunities, and you may reach out to us at any time to learn more.”
The ’66 Heritage Edition Ford GT pays homage to the first year Ford won Le Mans
Clearly the new Ford GT experience started long before I take delivery of the car and will continue with direct Ford support through the GT Concierge Service after delivery. I’ll keep updating this website each step of the way, including details of when my car will be built and visiting the assembly facility.
