The current Ford GT...is it a "real" Ford?

Klasse Act

Klasse Act

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So I throw this question out to the AG public, its been quite a point of contention between 2 of my friends, both real car guys without a doubt. I spoke about this with both of them today, my one buddy thought I was talking down to him because I repeated myself in a way that him feel this way, this I can't help, for him we've had this conversation before but if I'm honest but I was taken back by this. My main point was/is this, "the new Corvette is more Chevrolet than the new Ford GT is Ford". My main sticking point is this, the Ford GT is built with Ford parts but assembled in Canada by a non-Ford company/plant called Multi-matic, a company that makes racecars and doesn't assemble any other cars for another OEM.

Thoughts???
 
Now by no means have I researched the new GT, but isn't it still a Ford engineered car? To me the assembly location or who owns it means nothing.
 
Also the 429 Cobra Jet was outsourced if I'm not mistaken, or at least the modifications to fit the motor were. So it would be in a similar category.
 
I smell what you're stepping in, Rog. :)

If the 'Vette is assembled at a Chevrolet plant, and the GT by another plant other than Ford, I would have to lean toward your side of the argument.

That said, I would still consider the GT to be "All Ford".
 
Cammy said:
Also the 429 Cobra Jet was outsourced if I'm not mistaken, or at least the modifications to fit the motor were. So it would be in a similar category.
Click to expand...
Sent to Car Craft in Warren MI to "fit" the engine, that's it

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Each vehicle is in its own league, but I see your point. The Corvette is ‘everyone’s’ car, whereas the GT is so limited and classified as a super car...
 
If my memory is correct it was the Boss 429 that went to Kar Kraft for the swap. I actually got to drive one for the local dealer around a local midget dirt track back in 70.
 
Ancient1 said:
If my memory is correct it was the Boss 429 that went to Kar Kraft for the swap. I actually got to drive one for the local dealer around a local midget dirt track back in 70.
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Thank you for the spelling correction, I was born February 4th, 1970

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Interesting observation.....another interesting case to me, the Acura NSX....Japanese brand, (though Acura only exist in North America, known as Honda NSX outside North America) co-designed in USA by the lovely Michelle Christensen, completely built in Ohio at Acura PMC....what say you?.........IMHO I kinda don't care.....if its a great design and accomplishes goal of sticking to the heritage of its predecessors just bringing the performance to modern levels of absurdness (which I love btw)...
 
And I think it’s forward thinking by Ford. Would you want the same guys assembling a f 150 putting your GT together? Instead of spending all that money on facilities and training on the car why not use someone who has the no how? Long as Ford is giving the specs and tolerances I see no difference on being more Ford.

Now if they threw a BMW engine and tranny in it......


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IMO:
•Back when Ford sold the rights to the “GT40”
trademark—along with the right to continue
building them—to a company over in England:
-that’s when the “GT” stopped being a real Ford.

•Nowadays...
-I don’t really give a whit, one way or the
other, to whom Ford has contracted to
assemble them.
-Canada; England. What’s the dif?



Bob
 
I see your point but in today's global market many parts are out sourced, the line definitely gets muddled. AC Cobra, Pantera,Koenigsegg (early Ford modular engine, Pagani(MB motor basis),89 Zr-1 motor was designed by Lotus and built by Mercury Marine,Lotus Elise(Toyota engine) and of coarse the Supra/Z4 conundrum. I get what your saying about is it or isn't it, remember 1920's thru 1950's American brands mostly built everything in the same factories. Smelting/cast iron, glass and even tires were made under 1 roof, interesting read look up Kingsford charcoal. At least you have friends willing to debate you on this, lucky man!
 
You know my answer...the Ford GT is ugly and deserves more than a V6. Designed by Ford, built by Multimatic, Ford by badge only
 
Klasse Act said:
My main sticking point is this, the Ford GT is built with Ford parts but assembled in Canada by a non-Ford company/plant called Multi-matic, a company that makes racecars and doesn't assemble any other cars for another OEM.

Thoughts???
Click to expand...

I say it is 100% Ford. It wouldn't exist if they didn't design/engineer/create it. Even the race cars Multimatic builds (like the Mazda DPi car) are all based on other other platforms. They simply put them all together.

While not a common thing in the US, it is not at all unusual in Europe for a third part to build vehicles for an OEM. Magna Steyr is a great example. They currently build the Mercedes G-wagons, BMW 5 Series, BMW Z4, Toyota Supra, Jaguar I-Pace and E-Pace, and probably a couple more. In the past they also built cars for Chrystler, Jeep, and Opal. Just because Magna Steyr built those vehicles doesn't mean they are any less a Merc, Jag, or BMW. It simply means the OEM needed capacity and didn't want to build a new factory.

In the case of the Ford GT, it was always to be a low production, limited run of cars. It didn't make financial sense to tool up an entire plant. Also, don't forget the GT street car and the race car were developed simultaneously. Multimatic is one of the premier companies to prep race cars these days, so it made sense to do all the work in one place. Nothing against Ford at all since it their program.
 
The coach building analogy is a good one. To be honest, these days most cars are simply a conglomeration of sub-assemblies built by a vast industry of suppliers. The folks at many of the auto plants put those components together like Lego's. The basic frame/unibody, engines, and maybe the body panels might be built/stamped by the OEM, the rest of the pieces come in from all over the world...many from vendors who supply the same type of parts to multiple OEM's. ZF and Getrag are good examples; their transmissions are used all over the world.
 
Klasse Act said:
Sent to Car Craft in Warren MI to "fit" the engine, that's it

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I knew it was something with Craft in it, but I do agree there wasn't much assembly there. Side note and a bit off topic, my Grandfather owned one years ago and asked my Dad if he wanted it, he said no it was too fast. Who says that!? Well last my Dad had heard, the car was restored and sitting on a showroom floor in Denver.
 
The current Ford GT...is it a "real" Ford?

Production began in December 2016, with a planned production rate of one car per day at Ford's new, low-volume assembly facility at Multimatic in Markham, Ontario, Canada until October 2020


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Well, I didn't know Multi-matic was a Ford plant, learn something new everyday

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