Why is the Ford GT not street legal?
The Ford GT is an iconic supercar that has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide. However, not all versions of this high-performance vehicle are street legal. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this limitation and what makes certain Ford GT models unsuitable for public roads.
Understanding the Ford GT
The Ford GT is a high-performance sports car inspired by the legendary Ford GT40, which dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s. Designed with cutting-edge aerodynamics, a lightweight carbon-fiber body, and a powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the Ford GT is built for speed and precision. While some versions of the Ford GT are street legal, others are specifically designed for track use only.
Reasons Why Certain Ford GT Models Are Not Street Legal
There are several reasons why some Ford GT models cannot be driven on public roads. These reasons primarily stem from their design and purpose as track-focused vehicles. Below are the key factors:
- Lack of Necessary Safety Features: Track-only Ford GT models often lack essential safety features required for road use, such as airbags, crash structures, and other federally mandated equipment.
- Non-Compliance with Emissions Standards: These models may not meet the strict emissions regulations set by government agencies, as they are optimized for performance rather than environmental considerations.
- Specialized Tires and Suspension: Track-focused versions of the Ford GT are equipped with racing tires and suspension systems that are not suitable for everyday driving conditions.
- Excessive Noise Levels: The exhaust systems on track-only models are designed for maximum performance, often exceeding noise limits for public roads.
- Purpose-Built Design: These vehicles are engineered exclusively for racing, with features like roll cages, stripped-down interiors, and aerodynamic enhancements that prioritize speed over comfort or practicality.
Examples of Non-Street Legal Ford GT Models
One notable example is the Ford GT Mk II, a track-only version of the Ford GT. This model was unveiled in 2019 and is a collaboration between Ford Performance and Multimatic. The GT Mk II boasts enhanced aerodynamics, increased horsepower, and a stripped-down interior, making it a purebred race car. However, these very features render it unsuitable for public roads.
Can a Non-Street Legal Ford GT Be Made Street Legal?
In some cases, it may be possible to modify a track-only Ford GT to meet road-legal requirements. However, this process can be extremely costly and complex, involving significant changes to the car’s safety features, emissions systems, and other components. Additionally, such modifications may not be permitted in all regions, as regulations vary by country and state.
Conclusion
The Ford GT is a marvel of engineering, but not all versions are designed for everyday use. Track-only models like the Ford GT Mk II are built to push the limits of performance on the racetrack, which often comes at the expense of road legality. For enthusiasts who dream of owning a Ford GT, it’s essential to understand the differences between street-legal and track-only versions before making a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was GT discontinued?
The decision to discontinue the GT-R by 2025 can be attributed to a mix of regulatory pressures, declining demand for high-performance gasoline-powered cars, and the immense cost of keeping such models compliant with ever-tightening emissions and safety standards.
Why is Ford GT not street legal?
The GT Mk II uses smaller 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport GT slick racing tires, although it shares the GT's carbon ceramic brakes. As a result of these changes, the GT Mk II is not street legal.
Why was the GT40 banned?
According to the renowned World Registry of Cobras and GT40s, when the 1968 Le Mans rules was announced with the news of engine size regulations capped at 5-Liters, it essentially outlawed Ford's GT40 and Ford would turn the J-cars over to Kar Kraft of Brighton, Michigan, who would then assemble the last two cars, J-9 ...
What does GT stand for?
Grand tourerGrand tourer / Full name
The concept of the GT car emerged from Europe in the mid-1900s, with the goal of being both a high-performance automobile and a long-distance driver. So GT — meaning grand tourer or gran tourer — makes sense.
Why was the GTR illegal?
The model was illegal because it did not pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set under the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. This left many Nissan fans of the model very sad for years.
Why can't you sell a Ford GT?
Because it's only in production to satisfy homogulation rules. Ford did not build this car to compete with anything. They but it so they could race it in a class that requires them to sell a certain number to the public.
Why is the Ford GT so special?
Whether on the road or on the track, every single element of the Ford GT was designed to deliver the extraordinary speed and exceptional handling found only in purpose-built racing cars.
Why is Ford discontinuing the GT?
Production of the GT stopped at the end of 2022, and many wondered why Ford had chosen to end the run of its supercar. The answers are pretty straightforward. For starters, the model had got to the end of its production run one way or another. The GT is also a low-volume, high-cost production car.
Is the 2005 Ford GT street-legal?
Taking many design cues from the original, but making way for two airbags and proper design rules to keep the government happy, the Ford GT became a modern street-legal vehicle.
Which is the fastest car in the world?
Top 10 Fastest Cars in the World
- Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – over 500 km/hr (claimed)
- Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+ – 489 km/hr.
- SSC Tuatara – 474 km/hr.
- Hennessey Venom F5 – 482 km/hr.
- Rimac Nevera – 412 km/hr.
- McLaren Speedtail – 403 km/hr.
- Koenigsegg Regera – 403 km/hr.
- Aston Martin Valkyrie – 402 km/hr.
