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Supercar Revisited

Ford Motor Co.'s GT project is as much about building an engineering base as it is about building an American supercar, executives say. The auto maker hand selected engineers to put meat on the bones of the GT40 concept car unveiled at the Detroit auto show last year, says Chris Theodore, vice president-North American product development. Numbering about 30, they've accomplished in just over 20 months

Ford Motor Co.'s GT project is as much about building an engineering base as it is about building an American supercar, executives say.

The auto maker “hand selected” engineers to put meat on the bones of the GT40 concept car unveiled at the Detroit auto show last year, says Chris Theodore, vice president-North American product development.

Numbering about 30, they've accomplished in just over 20 months what usually takes more than 50. With input from a supplier “dream team,” they've gone from tube to track with a prototype of the car Ford will build at its assembly plant in Wixom, MI.

Wixom also builds Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Town Car and LS. But GT will roll off a dedicated line, says Neil Hannemann, chief program engineer-Ford GT.

Ford also reveals its engine plant in Romeo, MI, will supply the car's supercharged 500-hp 5.4L aluminum V-8, and that Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. will be the car's official tire supplier.

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