In 2005, just shortly after the marque’s centenary, Ford unleashed the first-generation GT. Just like the Le Mans-winning GT40 that inspired it, the GT strived to reestablish the Blue Oval as a dominant force in the supercar realm, this time taking aim at the F430s and Gallardos of the era. Now, 20 years after the release of the gen-one GT, boutique American brand LYNX Motors is honoring the early-aughts supercar by using it as the basis of a limited edition road-legal GT-based hypercar christened the LYNX GT1.
Early-Aughts Aesthetics, Modern-Day Performance
With 550-hp on tap and a 3.3-second 0-60 time, the original gen-one GT is no slouch, though its performance does look a bit long in the tooth compared to contemporary super and hypercars. And that’s why LYNX is using the Ford as the basis of its latest restomod, turning the 20-year-old two-seater into a bonafide track-weapon.
Road-Legal License-Jeopardizer
LYNX already offers existing versions of the GT1 in the form of the brand’s Gulf and Eau Rouge variants. Powered by a twin-turbocharged Roush V8 making 1,500hp, these GT1 trims are not road legal. Built by hand in Zionsville, Indiana at Graham Rahal Performance, the new GT1 version gains full road-legal status — while still being a very competitive race and track vehicle.
Under The Hood
The new road-legal GT1 still packs a forced induction eight-cylinder engine, though instead of the track-only models’ twin turbochargers, the new version has received a supercharger that enables the V8 to put down a still very respectable 1,200hp. The supercharged V8 comes bolted to a six-speed manual transmission sourced from Ricardo.
A Rolling Downforce Generator
The GT1 is very clearly based on the first-generation Ford GT. LYNX has treated the donor to a full suite of custom bodywork that’s been supplemented via a complete aero kit. This includes a large front splitter, front canards, side skirts, larger side scoops, a vented hood, vented front wheel wells, a substantially-sized rear diffuser, and a massive swan-neck wing. Both the bodywork and aero bits are all brought to life in exposed carbon fiber, too. We also love how the updated bodywork and aero elements thoroughly update the GT’s appearance, without simply resulting in it looking like the newer second-gen GT. It’s still clearly based on the early-aughts model, just with some restomoded pieces.
A Contemporary Cabin With Early-Aughts Flavor
Like the outside of the vehicle, the GT1’s cabin is still fairly recognizable, though it’s gained quite a few modern updates including a full roll cage, a new carbon fiber (or LM-style) steering wheel, a carbon trim package, wireless charging, bespoke upholstery, and what we assume will be a connected infotainment system of some sort. We also imagine the cabin will be offered with a host of custom configurable options, as is typically the case with ultra-high-dollar, ultra-limited-edition hypercars and restomods.
Why We Love It
As Americans, it’s hard not to take pride in vehicles like the GT1. Not only is it an American donor, but the whole thing is designed, developed, and crafted right here in our backyard. More importantly, though the GT1 does see original gen-one GTs go under the grinder and get irreparably altered, these restomods are still arguably preserving a unique piece of automotive history. It’s also probably worth mentioning the objectively impressive aspects of the car, such as its wild all-carbon body, bespoke interior, and the fact it generates 1,200hp while maintaining full road-legal status.
Spec Sheet
Class: Hypercar Restomod
Brand: LYNX Motors
Model: GT1
Donor: Gen-One Ford GT
Engine: Supercharged V8
Power: 1,200HP
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Builder: Graham Rahal Performance
Production: 28 Units
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 28 units worldwide, the LYNX Motors GT1 is available for preorder now. Pricing for the new road-legal version has yet to be revealed, though we anticipate a seven-figure price tag based on the $1,700,000 cost of the Gulf and Eau Rouge variants.
Recap
LYNX Motors GT1
Boutique American outfit LYNX Motors is producing a limited run of first-generation Ford GT-based hypercars gaining full carbon, aero-kitted bodywork and a custom-tuned V8 making 1,200hp.
