I remember hopping into a brand-new Ford GT back in 2005. It was red, low, quick and loud. There was a lot to like about that car. It felt brutally honest and a little raw, with none of the fussy details or delicate build of the eras Italian supercars. It didnt feel like parts would fall off, but it wasnt like one of Germanys rolling bank vaults, either. It just felt American. The engine was sublime, but booby-trapped. Forgetting it was supercharged, I planted my foot and did a pirouette in the middle of an intersection while attempting a left-hand turn from standstill. Embarrassing, but the only thing damaged was my pride. The Ford GT commands respect.

When I first encountered the Ford GT, I couldnt help but feel like Id reconnected with an old friend after decades of being apart . . . one whod gained considerable inches and many pounds, but otherwise looked much the same. Dwarfing its predecessor and three inches taller, the Ford GT made no pretense of being a racing machine like the car that inspired it. Credit for such a successful variation on the theme of the original Ford GT40 goes to Camilo Pardo, who, under the direction of J Mays, designed an homage to Fords 1-2-3 sweep of Le Mans in 1966 and the marques consecutive victories from 1967 to 1969.

The tribute concept was unveiled at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show to great acclaim, with a production version following to coincide with Fords centenary. Fords GT was a home run for the company, with a total of 4,038 examples builtall model year 2005 and 2006.

Few people at the time could have imagined that these would become first-class collectibles 15 years on, but their performance on the auction ramp has been consistent, thanks to strong interest and the inherent drivabilityand reliabilityof the model. Solid values can also be attributed to Pardos artful styling, one that captures the essence of Fords racing icon without any hint of retro-kitsch. In other words, its an enduring design.

Arguably the first modern supercar from the US, the Ford GT was built up from a lightweight aluminum space frame with aluminum bodywork; notably a passenger cell bookended by two clamshells. Mounted mid-rear is a 550 hp, 5.4-liter V-8with the aforementioned superchargermated to a Ricardo six-speed transaxle. The power-to-weight ratio and exceptional balance make the Ford GT, weighing in at less than 3,500 pounds, a rewarding car to drive, and a reminder that the more analog a vehicle is, the more fun it can be.

Many colorways were offeredmost with racing stripesincluding the GT Heritage Edition, which was liveried in Gulf Oil motorsport colors and of which 346 were made. This all-black example, however, is particularly stealthy, with forged aluminum wheels punctuated by grey-painted calipers. And the black-leather interior features a McIntosh sound system, one of the few options that could be selected. Delivered new to Mel Clayton Ford in Santa Barbara, Calif., the car shows fewer than 2,000 miles.

Estimated to fetch between $350,000 and $400,000, the car will be made available through Gooding & Company during its Geared Online Scottsdale Edition auction. In recent years, we have noticed a steady increase in demand for first-series Ford GTs, says Justin Gosaynie, a Gooding & Company specialist. This striking, highly collectible stripe-delete Ford GT presents a rare opportunity to interested parties, especially considering its low mileage, single-owner status, special features and attractive color combination. Online bidding opens Monday, January 24 and begins closing Friday, January 28.

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Car of the Week: A 2005 Ford GT, the First Modern American Supercar, Is Heading to Auction - Robb Report