Ford’s 2005–06 GT proved instantly collectible, and it isn’t slowing down

As one of the few “instant collectible” cars that actually proved to be so, 2005–06 Ford GTs have maintained their value at or above their original MSRP since new. In other words, they’ve always defied logic. After all, with 4038 produced, they aren’t rare, and typically any late-model “gotta have it” supercar is quickly supplanted by the next one.

So how is the 2005–06 Ford GT immune to this well-documented flavor of the year phenomenon? Having owned one since new, I have a few ideas. First, Ford built these modern GTs as an homage to the original Le Mans-winning Ford GTs of the 1960s. Second, an homage is only as good as its execution, and Ford nailed it here. The GT is as spot-on as any modern tribute car has ever been. Parked side by side with an original—as Ford did in the design studio to create it—the brilliance of its design and details shines through, which is likely why the cars look as fresh and exciting today as the prototype did some 17 years ago. Third, and most important, the driving experience is as visceral as you’d hope. It is unencumbered by traction control or stability systems, and the wailing 550-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 just over your shoulder, coupled with a satisfying mechanical feel to all that surrounds you, adds up to an experience like nothing else. The numbers aren’t too shabby, either, with 0–60 mph coming in less than four seconds on the way to a 205-mph top speed.

It’s no wonder people were willing to pay $100,000 over the car’s original 2005 MSRP of $139,995. And though values had dipped to near MSRP in 2008–09, it was a short window of opportunity; by 2014 they were over $300,000 again. A year later, the average price had climbed to $360,000.

When Ford announced its new-for-2017 Ford GT, the road-going version of its new Le Mans–winning car, many assumed 05–06 GT values would take a hit. But the opposite happened: The new GT has actually helped values of the “old” GT. How? Well, the new car’s $500,000 base price ($600,000-plus with options) makes the old-school GT seem like a heck of a car for roughly half that amount. Further, every one of the expected 2300 new GTs is only available to preapproved applicants, a list nearly as impenetrable as Fort Knox. Finally, while the new GT is a techno-wonder, with its 646-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, seven-speed Getrag DCT transmission, hydraulically operated aero-dynamic aids, adjustable suspension, and more heat shields and computers than a Virgin Galactic spaceship, the 2005–06 car is far less intimidating because of the technology it lacks. When you’re looking at a car as a long-term collectible, often the aspect of being able to service it well into the future is a big consideration.

But let’s talk about the most interesting fact of 2005–06 Ford GT prices: The more GTs are offered for sale, the more money they bring. From 2005 to 2013, the most GTs sold at auction in a year was six, and the median sale price for seven of those nine years was right around $200,000. From 2014 to present, however, an average of 25 cars have sold at auction, and the median sale price has topped $300,000 for all seven years. In January of this year alone, 19 GTs were offered across five auctions; 17 sold, for a sell-through rate of 89.5 percent, at an average sale price of $356,171.

All of which proves a few things: People love the 2005–06 Ford GT. The new Ford GT, and the hype surrounding the film Ford v Ferrari, have done nothing but bolster the legend and encourage more people to seek out a piece of this legacy for themselves. There really is strength in numbers, and the strength of the GT’s numbers don’t lie. Their solid, stable 15-year track record of pricing instills a confidence in Ford GT buyers that few other cars can offer. And while $300,000-plus is nothing to sneeze at, if you’ve ever experienced a GT, one of the last great analog cars we’ll ever see, today’s prices make perfect sense.

This story originally appeared in the May/June issue of Hagerty Drivers Club Magazine. Like this article? Check out Hagerty Insider, our e-magazine devoted to tracking trends in the collector car market.