Mustang GTD Lookalike Banned from SEMA at Ford’s Urging
If you notice an empty spot at the SEMA show, it might be the one that was reserved for TJ Hunt’s wide-body Mustang. Built in about three months, the coupe was banned from the event shortly after reaching Las Vegas because Ford argued that it looks too much like the limited-edition, 815-horsepower GTD.
Hunt documented the build and the drive to SEMA in a 20-minute video posted on his YouTube channel, and it looks like a great deal of fabrication work went into the project. Starting with a new, current-generation Mustang coupe, his team removed several body panels, cut out part of the rear wheel arches, and fitted a wide-body kit designed in-house. Dark blue paint, a ducktail-like rear spoiler, and wide wheels add a finishing touch to the look, while 5.0-liter V-8 received a supercharger for good measure.
The rainy drive to Las Vegas went fine, but the trip took a turn for the worse on the morning of the show.
“And then I received an email from SEMA. I literally just got this email as we were getting into Vegas. It essentially says that the auto manufacturer sent a formal complaint to the board and that the Mustang is banned from being at SEMA this year,” Hunt explained in the video. “I’m pretty upset,” he added.
Ford has a point: The two cars look strikingly similar. Viewed from the side, Hunt’s Mustang (shown on the left above) has almost the same fender vents as the GTD, a similar air scoop behind the door, and a huge rear diffuser that pokes out beyond the bumper. There are quite a few similarities up front, too, though Hunt’s car features a smaller splitter, and at first glance it looks like the GTD is considerably wider.
Ford hasn’t publicly commented on Hunt’s Mustang or on its decision to get the car banned from SEMA.
Was it the right call? Either way, Hunt’s build is impressive.
Was the aftermarket one priced so someone can buy it and drive it? The Ford one is pretty much race or collector only.
Right call.
I.P. ( intellectual property) rights apply to art, innovation and design. Case closed.
Surely only a problem if he tries to sell it as a commercial proposition?
Isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Sour grapes from Ford. If they still had their major booth, now occupied by Toyota (oh, the humanity!) they could complain. It was nice to see Ford have “some” presence at the show, with the engineers from the Performance Group hanging out. But, they didn’t have a GTD to see. Maybe if Hunt hadn’t directly copied the design of the front fenders and extractors, they wouldn’t have been so cranky.
Right! Why this guy? I can’t even imagine how many Fordophiles mess around with sheet medal,and/or body lines. Does Ford get panty wedges every time a aftermarket spoiler is bolted on a G? I’d say Ford has bigger fish to fry.
” a wide-body kit designed in-house”
Henry Ford’s house…
Someone would need to be blind to think those were the same car.
I never thought I’d see the day when a profile view of a Mustang reminds me of an early 911.
Oh here’s one. Tell Ford it’s electric and you’re losing money on every one. Sorry that won’t work. Hummmm.. Let’s kill the minnow in the ocean, good plan Ford.
TJ Hunt should send Ford a Thankyou note!
He will get a lot more attention with Ford trying to eliminate his presence at the show, ie he must have done something right, Ford doesn’t want his car there!
Do all the Cobra kit car folks pay licensing to Shelby’s brand or Ford?
Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery!
Ford for the big money race/colllector crowd and TJ for the folks that want to play!
Ford spent a lot of money and human capital to build an extraordinary car. It would be insulting to allow the efforts of those talented people to be copied so blatantly.
Why not? It will happen anyway… And the publicity, all for free, will help. Considering the price, and the fact that the GTD is an entirely different car, I doubt that this will cost Ford a single sale. Ford did put out some pictures of the GTD, so its looks were not “secret”. Who cares, anyway?
Seems like both sides screwed up. We have the 8/10ths “clone” but they look different enough to not be confused. besides if they had something stating what it was, not sure why anyone would confuse them. Ford looking silly again.
According to SEMA’s PR department, the decision to not display the car was Hunt’s. “TJ Hunt is actually present at the 2024 SEMA show. He has been at the show doing autograph signings and displaying his RB26-powered drift Mustang with one of his partners,” a spokesperson said. “If you watch his videos you will see that his decision to pull displaying his latest build at the show was a voluntary one.
“We have a great relationship with TJ and value everything he does for the industry and look forward to having him join us at the show for many years to come.”
TJ pretty much bashed the Mustang since the day he bought it. So he already had bad blood with Ford.
Like Ferrari did with the producers of Miami Vice, they have that right. It was built to rip-off their design. Porsche would do the same in a second if someone copied the 911 look. So why not Ford. After all, it is their form and design Hunt is utilizing.
I don’t see how SEMA buckled not allowing them to show their car at the show does Ford have a licensed pattern on their car?