The Ford Motor Company has been around since 1903. They were responsible for revolutionizing large-scale manufacturing using moving assembly lines, which all but replaced hand-built models in mass-produced vehicles over the next few decades.
Their later foray into racing vehicles following their collaboration with Shelby turned the American mainstay into a world-famous racing car concept designer.
Many of the racing concept cars that Ford has created have gone on to win major international races and now sell at auctions for millions of dollars. Continue reading to learn about the 8 most expensive Ford cars ever sold.
8. Ford Indigo Concept
Year: 1996
Sold: 2019
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The Ford Indigo concept car was built in 1996 by Claude Lobo, Ford’s technical director. Only 2-3 of these cars were built but only one of them was built to drive.
It was the non-functioning show car that auctioned off much later for $2 million. The functional model is still in Ford’s possession.
Indigo was built to showcase new construction techniques that Ford was playing with in its Indy Car Technologies. Ford collaborated with Reynard Motorsport to create this car from a single piece of carbon fiber composite material, with the suspension attached directly to the body.
The car has a 6L V12 engine that powers it up to 435hp.
Did you know?
The Indigo’s fiberglass and carbon fiber body has scissor-style doors, a four-point racing harness, and even an LCD screen behind the steering wheel to display the car’s mechanical vitals, a novel concept in 1996.
7. Brawner Hawk Ford Dean Van Lines Special Indy Car
Year: 1965
Sold: May 2022
photo source: Mecum
The Brawner Hawk Ford Dean Van Lines Special Indy Car was driven in the 65/66 racing seasons by Mario Andretti, making it an icon of Indy car championships, scoring 9 wins overall.
The car won twice at Milwaukee and twice at Langhorne, Atlanta, Trenton, Phoenix, and the Indianapolis Raceway Park. The car also finished third in the 1965 Indy 500.
More recently, the Dean Van Lines car won best in class at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours. It also became an ICON exhibit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 2019.
The car was originally built by Clint Brawner and Jim McGee based on the Brabham ’64 chassis.
At its Mecum auction, this Indy racing legend took in $2.2 million.
Did you know?
The Brawner Hawk Ford Dean Van Lines Special Indy Car was also featured on the show, AmeriCarna, featuring Jim McGee, Ray Evernham, and the driver, Mario Andretti.
6. Ford GT90 Concept
Year: 1995
Sold: N/a
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The GT90 was debuted by Ford at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 1995. Its geometric design gave it the profile of a fighter jet in car form – way ahead of its time for 1995.
The hood hid a quad-turbo V12 engine that powered the car up to 235mph.
The GT90 was pulled from its first RM Sotheby’s auction in 2009 after appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2008 as well as the Ford Mustang 45th anniversary.
The car never sold, but it is estimated to have been built for $3 million back in 1995, so who knows what it’s real worth is today.
Did you know?
The sleek Ford GT90 was designed by James Hope. It’s a concept car so only one was made, clearly raising the value of this incredible coupe. It was designed to showcase the “New Edge,” which was Ford’s latest design philosophy at the time. The buyer lent the car to the Hajek Motorsports Museum in Ames, Oklahoma.
5. Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept
Year: 2005
Sold: N/a
photo source: Flickr
The high-performance concept car known as the Ford Shelby GR-1 was debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2004. It was based on the Shelby Daytona from the 60s and was designed by George Saridakis and J Mays.
It would become the crowning achievement of Ford’s Advanced Product Creation group. Only one model of the GR-1 concept car was ever made in its original production.
In 2019, it was announced that Ford was planning an updated, limited production line of the GR-1 car, with a 700bhp Supercharged V8 engine.
However, it was the original concept car that sold for $3,000,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction at the Monterey Conference Center in 2019.
Did you know?
The charity event known as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California is considered the most prestigious event of its kind in the world. The event (the “competition of elegance”) is a show that judges classic cars on a set of criteria that includes function, history, authenticity, and style. Winning a podium place in this event is a major achievement in the world of car collecting.
4. Ford GT40 P/1061
Year: 1966
Sold: August 2016
photo source: RM Sotheby’s
The Ford GT40 P/1061 is the Mk I road car that Ford developed for Le Mans, sold at Sotheby’s from the Jim Click Ford Performance Collection. After the 1966 road car was retired, it was retained as a promotional piece for Ford’s Merchandising department.
It features a 450bhp engine that makes the most of the models’ softer suspension and more compliant brakes compared to previous models.
The twin-rear Mk II brake scoops and white racing stripes were added later to give the famous racer more of a racing look. Chassis number P/1061 sold at its auction for $4,250,000, making it one of the most expensive racing vehicles ever sold.
Did you know?
Ford’s legacy of GT40s started here with this Mk I in 1966. Ford swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in 1966 and placed at the top of the racing podium at every Circuit de la Sarthe race until 1969.
3. Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype
Year: 1965
Sold: August 2019
photo source: RM Sotheby’s
The 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype that sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction was the first of the five roadsters that was built. This car, the eight iteration of the roadster, was built as a test car for Shelby American that went on to become the chassis used for the Ford X series and Kar Kraft series.
The car has seen a slew of legendary drivers behind its wheel, including Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby. This prototype has the distinction of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race four times in a row, leading to 87 production examples of the famous roadster.
Owing to Shelby’s involvement, the engine is from a Cobra. This example sold for $7,650,000.
Did you know?
You may recognize the famous drivers Miles and Shelby from the film, Ford v Ferrari, where the two Ford icons were played by Christian Bale and Matt Damon.
2. Ford GT40 Mk II
Year: 1966
Sold: August 2018
photo source: RM Sotheby’s
The Ford GT40 Mk II was sold at an RM Sotheby’s action and became one of the most expensive racing cars ever sold. This car won third at the 1966 Le Mans, with drivers Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum.
It was also the FoMoCo/Holman-Moody team car in the 66/67 racing season and was tested by some legendary drivers like Ken Miles and Richie Ginther.
Only eight GT40 Mk IIs were ever built, and according to the chassis number, this example is the fourth. The car won the People’s Choice Award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2003. It sold at Sotheby’s for $9,795,000.
Did you know?
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an endurance race that has been around since the 30s, with the 1966 race being the 34th Grand Prix but also the debut for now-infamous drivers Henri Pescarolo and Jacky Ickx. A Ford GT40 won this race for the first time in the track’s history, also marking the first time an American car won the race.
1. Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car
Year: 1968
Sold: August 2012
photo source: RM Sotheby’s
The most expensive Ford car is the Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car. It was sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey, California for a record-breaking $11 million.
The car puts out 440hp with its OHV V8 engine, supported by four Weber carburetors and an independent front suspension.
The car has a storied racing history chock full of greats, from David Hobbs, Mike Hailwood, and Paul Hawkins to Brian Redman. The now-infamous Gulf/Wyer partnership got their first win with this car, winning both the ’67 Spa and ’68 Monza.
Did you know?
The car is an early example of bodywork reinforced with carbon fiber, a pristine example of only three surviving lightweight GT40s. The car was famously owned by Sir Anthony Bamford and Harley Cluxton at different points in its existence, but it is perhaps most famous as the Gulf camera car in Le Mans, the film starring Steve McQueen.
