From pitlane to pedestal: transporting a $500,000 car to Fieldays
Across the numerous car dealers present at Fieldays, one car in particular stood out from the rest.
One appearance of the ultra-rare 2019 Ford GT just wasn’t enough to satisfy some enthusiastic spectators, as motorsport fans flocked to view at the car at the Ford stand at Fieldays.
The GT is one of only two in the southern hemisphere, and with a production run limited to 500 units, many fans were surprised to see one at Fieldays.
From the back of a special luxury vehicle transport trailer to the stage at the Ford stand, a member of the Ford dealership staff said moving the half-million dollar hyper-car was a surprisingly painless job.
“It came down on a private luxury trailer, it doesn’t come with any paperwork really.”
The dealership said the car was unloaded just before the event, but the process was personally overseen by the owner himself.
“We backed the trailer up to the stage, and he backed it off and shimmied it back and forth there.
“The owner, he just puts it in place for us and trusts us to look after it for him.
“It wasn’t as big a drama as it probably seems.”
The paint was coated with a special protective film, to ward off wandering hands disobeying the ‘no touching’ sign.
The car, which was an invite-only order for the unnamed owner, is groomed and serviced privately, according to the Ford dealer.
New Zealand has a storied history when it comes to the Ford GT: In the first iteration of the car, Kiwi drivers Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon took out first place in the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans race.
The race car would go on to win a further three consecutive titles.
