T he pomp and circumstance surrounding the gifting of a supercar should be as unique as the car itself. We’ve all seen the keys hanging from the tree or wrapped in an inconspicuous, tiny box; but why not something equally luxurious for the new owner of a luxury automobile? This 18-karat gold scale model is sure to do the trick.
The Ultimate Gift: 18-Karat Two-Tone Gold 2006 Ford GT 1/25 Scale Model.
Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, the GT has been a highly sought-after modern classic ever since the first example rolled off the production line in 2004. With only 5,000 vehicles built, the 2006 GT design is an homage to the immensely successful GT40 that achieved four consecutive Le Mans victories from 1966 to 1969. Sharing nearly every crease and line with its historic predecessor, the 2006 GT was conceived to evoke grand images of Ford’s most triumphant moment for any gearhead in the know. Just like the original racer, the new GT had to be a world-beater, but most importantly, it had to best the team from Maranello.
Offered from a descendant of Henry Ford himself, the model is cast in numerous parts and intricately assembled over the course of several hundred hours by Ahee Jewelers of Grosse Point, Michigan. The 18-karat two-tone gold body of this 1/25 scale model encourages interaction from the admirer: open the doors, take a peek at the engine, and pop the hood to check out the spare tire compartment. This striking attention to detail is carried throughout the precious vehicle, from the rimmed rubber functional wheels to the Michigan Ford 1 license plate.
The Ford GT remains a landmark in the company’s history and this one-of-a-kind model is truly the ultimate gift for anyone whose blood runs Ford Blue.
The Ultimate American Automotive Icon: 2006 Ford GT.
The “Ultimate Gift” pairs beautifully with the fantastic example of a 2006 Ford GT on offer at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Los Angeles auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum, set for 8 December, just in time for the holidays.
Instantly recognizable to motorsport fans worldwide as an icon of American performance, the Ford GT was introduced as “The Pace Car for an Entire Company.” It soon lived up to its name, with Ford’s all-aluminum 5.4-liter modular V-8 engine at its heart, pumping out 550 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque to an impressive top speed of 205 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds.
This particular example is presented in virtually as-new condition, showing a mere six original miles on the odometer. Even the pre-delivery stickers are still affixed to the car’s windshield, and the car’s original owner’s manuals accompany the car today. Lucky Ford GT buyers were given a choice of seven optional colors for their new car for the 2006 model year. That year, Speed Yellow proved to be the box ticked the least, as only 75 cars were finished in that color. Of those, 69 were outfitted with the full-stripe option, including both hood stripes and side stripes. This GT features not only the full-stripe option, but the other three available options as well: forged BBS wheels, painted brake calipers in black, and the upgraded McIntosh stereo.
This Ford GT has been perfectly preserved for the last 12 years just as it left the factory. An exceptional example in the rarest production color, the GT and its scale model sidekick would be the perfect stablemates to an original GT40 and the new GT of today – perhaps something for next year’s list.
