Unveiling the Ford GTX1 Roadster: A Rare Gem in the Auto World

The Ford GTX1 Roadster is a unique blend of innovation, performance, and exclusivity. While it was created to be a one-of-a-kind production show car for the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, its creation was not without its own story. We’re going to zoom in on the Ford GTX1 Roadster and see how the Ford GTX1 Roadster story ended up, and what it is worth today.

From Concept to Reality: The Birth of the GTX1 Roadster

The GTX1 Roadster’s genesis began with Ford’s desire to wow attendees at SEMA with something breathtaking. Ford GT project engineer Kip Ewing envisioned the GT’s conversion into something even more captivating. With blessing from Ford and creative collaboration with the design gurus of Gennadi Design Group, the GTX1 Roadster was born.

It was the open-design ethic, to be sure, but the GTX1 stood apart from the stylish GT even more for what the team did with it. The first thing they did after acquiring the GT was to replace its glass roof with a novel, carbon-fibre targa top that still let the sun shine in. Then they boosted the GT’s V8 from the original 550 horsepower to an even more eye-popping 700. Here was where the ‘GTX1’ began to separate itself from the ‘GT’ in the pantheon of ultra-high-performance cars.

The Powerhouse Team Behind the GTX1 Roadster

The GTX1 came to life because of these two gentlemen, Kip Ewing and Mark Gerisch. Ewing for his vision of what the GT might become and Gerisch the self-made automobile bodywork specialist and founder of the Genaddi Design Group and visionary of the GTX1. Every detail of the Roadster had to be made to the highest standard possible. This wasn’t about building anything; this wasn’t about value; it was about making something special.

Rarity and Value: What's the GTX1 Worth Today?

Thanks to its low production run, the GTX1 takes pride of place on the shelves of collectors. Of the bundle less than 100 of these were made, and even fewer find their way to market today. Owning a GTX1 has become something of a privileged cult.

Perhaps one of the reasons behind this steady rise is that, in recent years, prices have skyrocketed. A GTX1 SEMA Edition went for between $850,000 and $1,000,000 at auction in 2022, while in 2023 a GTX1 with 16,000 miles fetched $515,000. These prices epitomise what a fantastic investment the GTX1 is.

The Lasting Legacy of the GTX1 Roadster

More than just a ‘hair-raising car’, the Ford GTX1 Roadster is an artistic, collaborative and engineering tour de force. And as one of only eight ever produced, it is a prize acquisition.

Investing in Rarity: The Future of the GTX1

History suggests that the GTX1 will continue to increase in value to any potential investor or collector considering buying it. The fact that such a small number of cars were made, and the fact that it was the first supercar of this type and performance – all represent factors that would make the GTX1 an exceptional addition to any collection.

Exploring "OPEN": A Key to Boundless Possibility

‘Open’ is the word that reverberates through the GTX1’s story: open to innovation; open-topped; and, most tellingly, open to all that, with the combined vision of a genius team of engineers, we could do as fellow human beings. The open ethos behind the GTX1 was about creating a new definition for what a high-performance car could be, and setting new standards for the blending of aesthetics and engineering.

To sum up, the Ford GTX1 Roadster is a breakthrough in automotive design and engineering. From a SEMA show car to a highly sought-after modern-day collectible car, the GTX1 represents the allure of open innovation and rarity in the automotive world. Over the years, the GTX1 will continue to be a symbol of luxury, performance, and unparalleled value, and will continue to catch the eye of the car enthusiast and collector.