August 2018 – Karl on Cars

Month: August 2018 Page 1 of 2

Ford GT Takata Airbag Replaced

On August 24, 2018

In 2005 Ford GT Ownership, 2005-2006 Ford GT, Ford GT

My Ford GT had its drivers side Takata airbag replaced over a year after the recall

Over a year after receiving my Takata airbag recall notice I received a follow-up notice saying the parts were available. It took awhile to get my Ford GT to a local dealership, and I was nervous about letting the dealer service staff drive it. I still worry about people who aren’t familiar with the GT’s shift pattern, because many novice GT drivers confuse 1st and 3rd gear, and driving a Ford GT in 3rd gear at low speeds can quickly fry the clutch.

New Ford GT Color and Options: Locked and Loaded!

By Karl Brauer

On August 23, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT, New Ford GT Ownership

My new Ford GT won’t look exactly like this one…but close…

So…well, it’s been a while since I updated this site. I’d like to blame it on being really busy (which I am) with really important things (which they are). Yet the truth is a bit more complex. When I learned I wouldn’t be getting my new Ford GT until at least the fall of 2018 I also realized I simply didn’t have enough material to keep this site vibrant for 2 years before my new GT ever showed up.

What Color New Ford GT to Get? The Configurator Only Goes So Far

By Karl Brauer

On August 22, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT, New Ford GT Ownership

The new Ford GT looks good in nearly any color, including Liquid Red

The new Ford GT’s design is stunning in almost any color. The low profile, aggressive body lines and flying buttresses give it a visual presence few street cars can match. If you’ve been allocated one and have to pick a color, stripe and wheel combination the choice isn’t easy. I’ve been playing around with the Ford GT configurator and while I’ve eliminated a few colors there are still several I’m considering.

Ford GT and Ford Cobra Gather at Cars and Coffee

By Karl Brauer

On August 21, 2018

In 2005 Ford GT Ownership, 2005-2006 Ford GT, Ford GT

My Ford GT joined other cool Fords at the local Cars and Coffee

A consistently rich and diverse collection of cars showed up to my local Cars and Coffee every week when it was in Aliso Viejo. If I have one disappointment regarding Cars and Coffee it’s that I don’t go very often (I’m not a morning person by nature). But I took the Ford GT over a few times before it ended and shifted to San Clemente, and it’s always drawn a solid crowd of admirers.

New Ford GT in White (Again) in Chicago

By Karl Brauer

On August 16, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT

My second look at the new Ford GT in white only increased its appeal

About a month after its Frozen White debut in Detroit the same new Ford GT prototype appeared at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show (wearing the same color). The color’s impact on me hadn’t faded a bit 4 weeks after the Detroit show, with many fans appropriately dubbing this white new Ford GT “stormtrooper.”

New Ford GT Begins Production

By Karl Brauer

On August 15, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT

New Ford GT production began on December 16, 2016

In mid-December 2016 production of the new 2017 Ford GT started at Multimatic in Markham, Ontario. Multimatic is a specialized manufacturer supplying many advanced components across the auto industry. In the case of the Ford GT, Multimatic isn’t just supplying suspension or drivetrain or active aerodynamic parts, they are using their experience in advanced vehicle components to construct the entire car.

New Ford GT First Road Test…Sort Of

By Karl Brauer

On August 14, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT

A Frozen White new Ford GT was one of two tested last week in Las Vegas

Many questions about the new Ford GT remained unanswered in December of 2016, but some information was released that month through a brief ride along by enthusiast publications at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Motor Trend, Road & Track and Top Gear were all given an opportunity to experience the new Ford GT — from the passenger seat. These publications learned more about the GT’s advanced suspension and aerodynamic capabilities.

2005 Ford GT versus 2016 Dodge Viper ACR

By Karl Brauer

On August 13, 2018

In 2005 Ford GT Ownership, 2005-2006 Ford GT, Ford GT

One decade and two cylinders separate my Ford GT and this Dodge Viper ACR

The automotive journalist community is full of car guys, and many of them express their passion by buying special interest or enthusiast models. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, with my Ford GT representing the latest in a long line of performance cars I’ve purchased, starting with a 1969 Plymouth GTX before I had my driver’s license.

2005 Ford GT Dodge Viper ACR Alan Taylor

Alan Taylor and I met to swap keys and compare rides

One of my friends and colleagues, Alan Taylor, purchased a 2016 Dodge Viper ACR to express his passion for performance vehicles. Alan hosts “The Drive with Alan Taylor” and has been in the car business for over 30 years. After Alan purchased his Dodge Viper ACR we met to compare rides. Alan let me drive his Viper, and I was prepared to let him drive my Ford GT, but he politely declined. “I can’t relax when I drive other people’s cars.”

New Ford GT in White at Detroit Auto Show

By Karl Brauer

On August 10, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT

2017 Ford GT White Detroit Auto Show Front

The new Ford GT appears in Frozen White at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show

Every time a new Ford GT debuts in a new color it causes a stir, and at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show the new Ford GT showed up wearing Frozen White for the first time. Generally speaking, white isn’t one of my preferred colors, but on certain cars it looks great. I always loved the white Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved me, and I love 1970-1973 Pontiac Firebirds in white. Of course as I noted before, superb vehicle design can make almost any color work, and the new Ford GT looks stunning in white.

New Ford GT in Yellow at CES

By Karl Brauer

On August 9, 2018

In Ford GT, New Ford GT

A new Ford GT debuted a new color, Triple Yellow, at the 2016 CES in Las Vegas

When the new Ford GT was edging closer to production every Ford GT fan was waiting to see what color the car will show up in next. By January of 2016 we’d seen a GT in Liquid Blue (during its global debut in Detroit), Ingot Silver (at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show) and Matte Black (at the 9th annual Ford GT national owners rally). For the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Ford showed up with a Triple Yellow new Ford GT wearing black stripes and black wheels.