Ford GTX1 (2005)
The Ford GTX1 is a targa-roadster concept derived from the first-generation Ford GT and unveiled in 2005 as a modern tribute to the open-top GT40 X-1 that won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966. Conceived by Ford SVT engineering supervisor Kip Ewing, the GTX1 reimagined the GT as a configurable open car with a four-piece hard roof, structural reinforcements, and revised bodywork that preserved the supercharged V8’s drama while adding real-world usability. Rather than a mere static showpiece, the GTX1 was engineered as a complete, drivable prototype—and it went on to spawn a small number of customer conversions built outside the factory.
History
Ford revealed the GTX1 on the Ford stand at the SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, during the 2005 edition (November 1–4, 2005). The world-premiere press text dated November 1, 2005 framed the car explicitly as an homage: “with the 1966 Sebring-winning Ford GTX1 roadster as inspiration,” Ewing’s study leveraged Ford’s SEMA Technology Initiative to turn his off-hours sketches into a running concept. The SEMA context mattered: the show exists to showcase aftermarket ingenuity, and Ford used that stage to test both the market’s appetite for an open GT and the feasibility of a sanctioned coachbuilt path.
Shortly after SEMA, Ford continued to display the car at major venues and worked with Genaddi Design Group (Mark Gerisch) on a limited customer conversion program. That program did not convert the Ford GT at the factory; instead, owners could commission their GTs to be transformed into GTX1-spec roadsters. Plans mentioned in period communications ranged from a notable run of conversions—including a “SEMA Edition” series in Valencia Yellow/Orange with silver stripes—to a much smaller final tally, but all sources agree the GTX1 remained rare and hand-built.
Design Features
Exterior and Roof System
The GTX1’s defining feature is its four-panel hardtop. The panels can be configured in multiple ways: all installed (quasi-coupe), T-top (outer panels only), targa (center panels removed), or full open with all panels stored. Clever latching allows the outer panels to lock in a vent position for cabin airflow even when “closed.” The roof system respects the GT’s buttresses and engine-bay clamshell, with a revised rear cowl and panel geometry to keep the car’s supercharger viewable when open. The debut car wore Valencia Yellow with Tungsten-silver stripes, a high-chroma palette chosen to separate the concept from production GT hues.
Structure and Package
Opening the roof demanded structural attention. The concept integrates reinforcement in the sills and rear bulkhead, plus a revised engine-cover surround, to maintain torsional rigidity. The glass and weather sealing were designed for daily use rather than trailer duty, and the panels are sized to be carried in the car. Genaddi’s productionized conversions added further refinements—custom seals, hardware redesigns, and finishing details—to achieve repeatable build quality on customer cars.
Aerodynamics and Cooling
Compared to the fixed-roof GT, the GTX1’s cowl and roof contouring create a different pressure map over the cockpit. The car uses subtle aero lips and ducting to reduce buffeting with panels off. Engine-bay flow was managed to retain the GT’s thermal performance: the rear clamshell and louver treatment were re-profiled so the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 could breathe and shed heat without the tall roof cavity of the coupe.
Chassis and Rolling Stock
The underpinnings remain the GT’s aluminum spaceframe with unequal-length control arms, coil-over dampers, and Brembo brakes. Concept and conversions typically wore one-off forged wheels and GT-spec Michelin performance tires; alignment targets stayed close to the GT’s road settings to preserve stability at speed. Some customer cars specified suspension and brake upgrades alongside the roof conversion.
Interior and HMI
Inside, the GTX1 keeps the GT’s pared-back, tool-like cabin: large primary gauges, toggle switches, and a straightforward center stack. Roof operation is manual, with precision latches and gasketed interfaces to achieve weather tightness. Upholstery and trim varied on customer conversions, but the SEMA car showcased color-matched accents and finishing consistent with Ford design’s show-car standards.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Layout | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat targa roadster |
| Base architecture | First-gen Ford GT aluminum spaceframe |
| Engine | 5.4-liter DOHC supercharged V8 (GT-spec) |
| Output (base) | ≈ 550 hp / 500 lb-ft (as GT); higher outputs available on some conversions |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Roof | Four-piece hardtop, configurable: coupe / T-top / targa / full open |
| Body changes | Revised rear cowl and clamshell; louvered engine cover; added reinforcements |
| Wheels/Tires | Forged alloys; GT-class performance tires (sizes varied by car) |
| Brakes | Brembo ventilated discs, multi-piston calipers |
| Debut livery | Valencia Yellow with Tungsten Silver stripes |
| Notable options (conversions) | Chassis/brake kits; supercharger/exhaust upgrades; bespoke trim |
Performance remained broadly GT-like when the powertrain was stock; some Genaddi builds incorporated uprated superchargers and exhausts, with reported outputs well beyond the 550-hp baseline. Because the GTX1 conversion altered mass and aero slightly, top-speed and noise figures varied car to car, but the concept’s aim was usability with theater, not a top-speed record.
Production Status
Concept → Production (what carried over; what didn’t).
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Carried (sanctioned path): Ford authorized the concept and collaborated with Genaddi Design Group to offer limited customer conversions to GTX1 spec. Several special configurations appeared, including “SEMA Edition” cars in Valencia Yellow/Orange with contrasting stripes. The roof concept—four modular hard panels—translated from show car to road use with additional sealing/hardware work.
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Modified or dropped: There was no factory production of an open-roof GT; all GTX1s were aftermarket conversions. Targets floated in period pieces (e.g., multi-hundred-unit ambitions, and a 100-car SEMA Edition) did not materialize; credible reporting today converges on dozens of completed cars, underscoring the GTX1’s rarity.
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Downstream influence: The GTX1 did not feed directly into the later 2017–22 Ford GT (a carbon-monocoque, closed-roof hypercar), but it validated a coachbuilt, OEM-blessed approach for owners seeking bespoke variants—an important cultural precedent within Ford’s GT universe.
Micro-timeline and stand context.
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Nov 1–4, 2005 — SEMA, Las Vegas (Ford stand): World premiere; press kit cites the 1966 Sebring-winning GT40 X-1 as the thematic origin.
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2005–2008: Genaddi Design Group offers and builds limited customer conversions; special “SEMA Edition” liveries publicized; numbers remain low and variable by source.
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2010s–2020s: GTX1s appear at major concours/auction events; market values reflect conversion quality and provenance.
Design genealogy and authorship.
Upstream, the GTX1 explicitly references the GT40 X-1 Roadster (open-top prototype, Sebring 1966 winner with Ken Miles/Lloyd Ruby), translating its spirit—low cowl, open cockpit, endurance pragmatism—into the 2005 GT’s idiom. The concept’s modern authorship is Kip Ewing (SVT), with execution and small-run “productionization” by Genaddi Design Group (Mark Gerisch). Downstream, the GTX1’s configurable roof and sanctioned coachbuilt pathway became a touchstone for how OEMs and specialty constructors could collaborate without entering series production.
Sources
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NetCarShow — “Ford GTX1 Roadster (2005)” (press text dated LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2005; four-panel roof description; homage language). https://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2005-gtx1_roadster/
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New Atlas — “Ford’s GTX-1 – the GT convertible” (Nov 1, 2005; four-panel roof; SEMA debut). https://newatlas.com/fords-gtx-1-the-gt-convertible/4802/
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Conceptcarz — “2005 Ford GTX1 Concept” (Kip Ewing authorship; SEMA Technology Initiative; Sebring X-1 inspiration). https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10367/ford-gtx1-concept.aspx
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CLASSIC.COM — “Ford GTX1 – 1st Gen (2005–2006)” (SEMA origin; Genaddi conversions; Ford-blessed program). https://www.classic.com/m/ford/gt/1st-gen/gtx1/
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FordGTForum (press release repost) — Genaddi “SEMA Edition” program details (Valencia Orange/Yellow scheme; planned volumes). https://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/threads/press-release.4109/post-45199
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Supercar Nostalgia — “Ford GTX1 Guide” (X-1 roadster background and Bruce McLaren team context). https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/ford-gtx1
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Wikipedia — “Ford GT40” (X-1 roadster; Sebring 1966 victory with Miles/Ruby; program context). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_GT40
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CarScoops — “Rare Ford GTX1 Roadster” (Kip Ewing concept; Genaddi execution recap). https://www.carscoops.com/2023/11/the-skys-the-limit-when-pricing-this-rare-ford-gtx1-roadster/
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