By Danie Botha
American automotive pioneer Henry Ford had a dream to make automobiles for everyone, and not only for the rich and famous, as was the case in the early 1900s. By introducing a highly effective production line system, Ford’s Model T proved to be the affordable car that mobilized an entire nation.
But you get Fords, and then you get Fords. Here are 10 historically significant Ford cars that retail for more than $1 million!
Note
We hunted down 10 of the most expensive Fords ever sold, using authoritative auction websites as the basis of the search. Cars are listed according to the price they fetched at auction. These values may vary today.
1926 Ford Tri-Motor
Estimated Value: $1.2 million
| Engines | Three Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasps |
|---|---|
| Power | 1,350 hp (combined) |
| Top speed | 130 mph |
| Range | 570 miles |
In 1925, Henry Ford invested a great deal in the Stout Metal Airplane Company, with famed aircraft engineer William Stout (who would later create the Stout Scarab minivan) at the helm. The result was the Tri-Motor, or “Tin Goose”. It came with three Pratt & Whitney radial motors, each with nine cylinders and a 22-liter capacity, for a combined 1,350 hp. The Ford could reach 130 mph, but a cruising speed of 85 mph was far more realistic.
Ford built 199 Tri-Motor planes, most serving as airliners or in military transport roles. In 1929, the Great Depression saw the demand for air travel dwindle, and Tri-Motor production was discontinued a few years later. The last recorded sale of a Tri-Motor took place in 2009, when a 1929 model sold for $1.21 million at a Barrett Jackson auction.
2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition
Estimated Value: $1.2 million
| Engine | 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 |
|---|---|
| Power | 660 hp |
| Torque | 550 lb-ft |
| Top speed | 216 mph |
The 1966 Ford GT40 Alan Mann Lightweight factory racer is the most expensive Ford on the planet. And this 2022 limited edition GT pays homage to the original GT40 car. Only 30 of these GTs were made, all featuring the same red and gold finish of the original 1966 car. It also comes with the number 16 graphic, plenty of exposed carbon fiber bits, and it was only offered to customers selected by Ford.
The GT is powered by Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 660 hp, and reaches a top speed of 216 mph. It cost $1.2 million in 2022, and you probably won’t find one for sale anytime soon.
1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
Estimated Value: $2.2 million
| Engine | 7.0-liter V8 |
|---|---|
| Power | 520 hp |
| Torque | 475 lb-ft |
| Top speed | 170 mph |
In 1967, Carroll Shelby installed a modified version of Ford’s seven-liter V8 racing engine in a Mustang. He also added a racing four-speed manual gearbox and rear differential. The car was commissioned by tire manufacturer Goodyear to test its new Thunderbolt tire products. In a 500-mile test, the GT500 averaged more than 142 mph (that includes fuel stops).
Only one GT500 Super Snake was ever made, featuring Ford’s blue striping, as per the GT40s that raced at Le Mans. At the time, a production version would have retailed for double the price of the Shelby GT500, which just didn’t make commercial sense.
1968 Ford Mustang GT390 Bullitt
Estimated Value: $3.4 million
| Engine | 6.4-liter V8 |
|---|---|
| Power | 335 hp |
| Torque | 427 lb-ft |
| Top speed | 125 mph |
This 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 fetched a reported $3.4 million at a Mecum Auction event in 2020. And that is despite the car’s faded paint, some bruises and scratches, and camera mounting points still left in place. That is because it is the original GT390 from the movie Bullitt, as driven by actor and racing driver, Steve McQueen. The Mustang had remained hidden in a private collection since the 70s (when it was bought for a reputed $6,000). In 2019, Ford used the 1968 classic to launch the latest Mustang Bullitt tribute model.
It is believed that the GT390’s completely original state, warts and all, is the very reason why it has become such a sought-after collector’s item.
1965 Shelby GT350R
Estimated Value: $3.85 million
| Engine | 4.7-liter V8 |
|---|---|
| Power | 340–360 hp |
| Torque | 329–350 lb-ft |
| Top speed | 185 mph |
The 1965 Shelby GT350R is one of the most rare and sought after Mustangs on the planet. Built exclusively for production car racing, the GT350R is powered by a modified 4.7-liter V8 engine, delivering around 350 hp. A specially developed Borg Warner four-speed manual gearbox sends the power to the rear wheels, where a Detroit automatic locker aids traction. The Shelby weighs around 2,600 lbs and comes with lighter fiberglass parts, plexiglass windows, and a stripped-out interior.
In 2020, the most famous GT350R of all, driven (and jumped) by the legendary Ken Miles, sold for a record $3.85 million, making it the most expensive Mustang on the planet. Now, a new GT350 is on the way too.
Sources: Ford.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
