Mustang GT-R Concept auctioned off for $100,000

The 2004 Ford Mustang GT-R Concept was sold to the highest bidder last night at the RM auction in Monterey, CA. The final selling price of $100,000 was well under the pre-auction estimates of $250,000 – $350,000.The car is in working order and features a 5.0-liter cammer V8 producing 440 horsepower, race-prepped chassis, Tremec T56 6-speed transmission, Brembo brakes, full roll cage, and Pirelli racing slicks. The GT-R Concept was just one of several prototypes sold by Ford at the auction, with all of the proceeds benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Children’s Center.

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Vehicle Description:

Introduced at the April 2004 New York International Auto Show, the Mustang GT-R was a tribute to 40 years of Mustang performance and a portent of race-prepared Mustangs of the future. Its bright Valencia Orange paint was inspired by the Grabber Orange hue of the 1970 Boss 302 Trans Am cars.

The heart of the matter was a development of Ford’s OHC modular V8 family. Bored out by means of new liners, the engine displaced a full five liters and, with six-bolt mains, H-beam connecting rods and 11:1 compression, was rated at 440 bhp. Transmitting the power was a TTC T-56 six-speed transmission headed by a heavy-duty clutch and flywheel. A composite aluminum driveshaft connected to a race-spec differential with 4.56 gears.

The chassis received custom reinforcement and structural improvements. A roll cage was added, along with a Sparco racing seat with five-point safety harness. Although the production suspension geometry was retained, key parts were replaced with lighter or stronger elements for the rigors of racing. Suspension components are made of chrome moly tubing, and coil-over dampers have remote reservoirs and are fully adjustable.

Rounding out the chassis improvements are Brembo brakes, with six-piston calipers at the front and four to the rear. Twenty-inch wheels carry Pirelli racing slicks, 275/35 in front and 305/30 rear.

Modern aerodynamics play a huge part. There is a massive front airflow opening, and carbon fiber belly pans reduce underbody turbulence. A carbon fiber hood tops a Mustang GT-derived front end ensemble, which, with the aerodynamic ground-hugging front and side splitters, uses carbon fiber materials extensively. Probably the most striking design element is the prominent composite spoiler at the rear, which meets several road racing body rules. The rear fascia has wide tail lamps and an aluminum screen grille shielding the differential cooler.

The instrument panel uses carbon fiber to preserve the production Mustang design for racing applications. A Formula One-style steering wheel incorporates most controls and instruments, including tachometer, gear selection and warning signals. The only instrument panel gauges are for coolant temperature and oil pressure. There are mounting tracks for a passenger seat, if needed. Other modifications include rear-mounted battery pods and a fuel cell in the rear trunk space.

This vehicle runs and drives but is not DOT or EPA certified. It cannot be registered for highway use in the United States and is offered on bill of sale only.

[Source: Mustangs Daily]