A 2006 Ford GT, an automotive relic, lay dormant for over a decade within a barn’s confines. Its discovery was akin to an archaeological dig, buried beneath a haphazard collection of debris. A fortunate encounter between car enthusiast Mathew Ivanhoe and Ed Bolian, a renowned car expert, set the stage for this automotive resurrection.
Despite the car’s neglected state and the numerous red flags, Ivanhoe’s intuition prevailed. The GT sprang to life with surprising ease, its 550 horsepower, supercharged V8 engine roaring to life after years of slumber. However, extracting the car from its dusty prison required hazardous material suits and meticulous planning.
Before embarking on a full restoration, Bolian and Ivanhoe prioritized a thorough inspection of the exhaust system. Given the extraordinary value and intricate engineering of the Ford GT’s stock exhaust, along with the exorbitant cost of replacement components, a careful assessment was imperative.
Catalytic converters alone commanded a staggering $10,000 on the used market, while the manifolds were notoriously susceptible to cracking. With the car’s future uncertain, ensuring the integrity of these vital components was a critical first step in the GT’s journey back to its former glory.
A neglected Ford GT, a relic of a bygone era of automotive dominance, has arrived at the workshop of Cameron Davison and his team. The car, once capable of breathtaking acceleration and top speed, has fallen into disrepair, its engine struggling with fuel delivery and cylinder misfires. Under Davison’s watchful eye, the mechanical heart of the GT is being resuscitated, its eight cylinders now firing in unison.
While the transmission shifts smoothly, there’s still room for improvement, a minor adjustment likely to restore it to peak performance. To ensure the GT can once again unleash its full power, the original Goodyear tires, worn from years of neglect, will be replaced with the grippy and reliable Bridgestone Potenza.
The final touch will be bestowed by detailing expert Bam Cunningham, whose mission is to exorcise the ghost of the GT’s past. Layers of dirt and mold, accumulated over a decade of dormancy, will be meticulously removed, revealing the car’s hidden beauty and bringing it one step closer to its former glory.
The Ford GT’s interior is a stark contrast to the sleek exterior, showcasing a design choice as perplexing as it is impractical. The carbon fiber seats, adorned with an array of vacant perforations, offer little in terms of comfort or ventilation. Instead, they have morphed into dirt collectors, complicating the cleaning process. To compound the issue, a mold problem has taken hold within the cabin.
Cameron suspects the culprit to be either moisture seeping in from the undercarriage or condensation forming due to leaky door seals. The task of restoring this automotive masterpiece begins with a meticulous interior overhaul. The dashboard, a complex interplay of switches and gauges, will require painstaking attention.
The headliner, a victim of humidity, is another challenge awaiting the detailing team. Once the interior is immaculate, the exterior will undergo a transformative wash to remove years of accumulated grime. The Ingot Silver paintwork, complemented by optional racing stripes, will be restored to its original luster, bringing this iconic vehicle back to life.
