The Ford GTX1 Made One of Its Greatest Supercars Even WilderMotorTrendScott MortaraWed, September 23, 2026 at 3:49 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleThe GTX1, Ford's Wild Open-Top SupercarEvan Klein - MotorTrend[This story originally appeared in the April 2006 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "Orangepeeled."] Everyone knows the original Ford GT40 is one of the prettiest race cars ever built—but most have forgotten about the just-as-pretty roadster version, which was a cool car 40 years ago. So why not now?Taking on the task of chopping the GT40's top was Mark Gerisch of Genaddi Design Group, a veteran coachbuilder known for scalping expensive exoticars without so much as batting an eye. The unique roof of the GTX1 Roadster consists of four interlocking pieces, which are stowed inside the car when not in use. Two form the top panel, while the other pair replaces the somewhat guillotine-like door intrusions of the standard GT.Evan Klein - MotorTrendWith all four pieces in place, the left and right panels pop up at the rear to serve as vents. There's no getting around it: The loss of its top does diminish the GT's structural rigidity. Efforts to stem any shakes include side rails that reinforce the chassis, and the new B-pillar aids in rollover protection. Engine modifications, so far, are minimal (and hardly required): Borla headers and mufflers and a smaller supercharger pulley boost claimed horsepower from Ford's ultra-conservative 550 to 618, says Genaddi (Gerisch, by the way, purchased the GT for this conversion for the modest price of just one dollar).AdvertisementAdvertisementThe GTX1's aggressive stance comes via a revised suspension that lowers the car just over an inch. The multipiece, one-off 19-and 20-inch aluminum wheels (an inch larger in diameter than the stock GT's) echo 1960s Halibrand mag styling. The dazzling orange paint was drawn from the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am championship-winning Mustang Boss 302 racers. The new look has a few drawbacks: The lowered ride height makes it even more difficult to negotiate driveways. Speed bumps? Stay away from them—or it could get expensive.Evan Klein - MotorTrendInterior modifications are subtle but effective: Brushed silver grommets and French seams added to the Sparco seats set them apart from a standard GT's. A woven carbon-fiber-like fabric on several interior pieces accents the carbon-fiber shifter and other composite body bits.Want to let the sun shine in your GT? Just bring your car, along with $38,000, to Genaddi Design Group and say, "Fire up the saw." If you also want this prototype's Brembo brakes and custom paint, bring an additional $23,900. Engine performance options will run more; contact Genaddi for those costs.Evan Klein - MotorTrendIn this age of excess, it's all about being seen. Not much else can shout "Look at me!" louder than this hot-orange road monster. You'll look great on the Pacific Coast Highway, wind blowing through your hair, with everyone looking to see which movie idol is at the wheel—if they can catch you.Getty ImagesVital DNA1966 was a magic year for Ford's now-legendary racing prototype. Henry Ford II, after watching the GT40 endure numerous early teething problems (aerodynamics, engine and transaxle reliability) confidently declared it would win Le Mans in 1966. Progress had already been made by the end of the 1965 season, so it seemed doable. Shelby American teammates Lloyd Ruby and Ken Miles drove a red, roadster-bodied GT in the Sebring 12-hour race in 1966 and won handily.Getty ImagesAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's not so difficult to envision that car as a forebear of Genaddi's GTX1. Miles and Ruby also took the 24-hour race in Daytona that year, and, of course Le Mans, was the site of Ford's noted 1-2-3 photo-finish victory. Ford had pulled off a difficult endurance-racing hat trick, and Hank the Deuce's ballsy prediction turned out to be correct after all. —Matt StonePhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: FordPhoto credit: FordPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Evan Klein - MotorTrend
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