Performance Blue at Chicago Auto Show

[Muligan]

Mrs. Muligan and I attended the First Look for Charity at the Chicago Auto Show last night - a black-tie affair that provides an opportunity to attend the show the night before it opens to the public. Ford has a Performance Blue GT500 on display, which is clearly marked "Prototype Vehicle" on the door windows. I was very impressed with it in person, including all of the pure performance functions such as the wing, splitter with fences, and especially the hood vent and pins.

Originally, I wasn't thinking it'd be something that would interest me, but I have to say that as a driver and track beast, this thing would make one nasty dual-purpose car.

In no particular order, here are a bunch of pics.

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[Muligan]

More pics.

 

[Tomster]

Excellent. My invitation must have been lost in the mail.

The caliper/wheel clearance is going to be a problem with rocks and subsequent damage. Ford no longer offers a warranty for carbon fiber. I tried to get it for JR357, but was told the warranty is not available.

Excellent photos. I'm looking forward to this next evolution.

Thanks for posting.

 

[jvandy50]

So is that a spot for a tow hook?

 

[Epiphany]

Yes, tow hook. You push in on the snapped-in cover to remove it and access the threaded insert.

Great shots. As Tom noted, caliper clearance is once again going to cause problem$ for some. Interesting how far Ford continues to push the threshold here.

I'm wondering if the rear caliper is now a radial mount. I hope it is.

 

[ChitownStang]

Thanks for the pics! Black tie event is fun, went a few years back.
Love the new GT500, not that color in particular, doesn't pop.
And I still think I like the GT350 a little more.

 

[Epiphany]

Interesting to see a change in country of origin with respect to the front Brembo calipers. I opened Solidworks and took a look at a GT350 caliper first...

From Muligan's shot above of a GT500...

Just another data point.

 

[biminiLX]

My dad has a 302 block like that, Hecho en Mexico
Great pics.
I’d like to see that color with black or no stripes.
-J

 

[Muligan]

Additional pics for your viewing pleasure - these got hung up in my computer, so I couldn't load them earlier.

 

[Muligan]

And yet a few more.....

The last one shows the caliper clearance down at the bottom of the wheel, which would be the leading edge of the caliper were it to have stones / pebbles try to get caught in the narrow gap. The crossover line is up out of the way, though.

I put a standard business size envelope across the rear wing to give an idea of the depth of the airfoil.

Also, the odd looking one is taken with my phone laying on the windshield looking down onto the top of the center stack to show the carbon fiber interior panel.

 

[Muligan]

And here's one taken through the driver's side window, showing the shift paddle.

 

[Brian_S550]

And here's one taken through the driver's side window, showing the shift paddle.

I’d say that looks like it’s mounted exactly the same as any other automatic S550 with paddle shifters. Might be a great upgrade mod for the rest of us if the parts can be purchased from Ford parts departments.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Amazing looking car. Those CF wheels are something else! Thanks for the pics. I can't wait until I start seeing these on the streets.

 

[Epiphany]

That caliper clearance shot is painful to look at...

 

[Rothgray]

Well, I know how I I will be ordering mine. I do wish they would bring back Avalanche Gray though, or something similar to Porsche's Chalk color.

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