The Ford GT Application and the Pilot Fish

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta
The Internet is full of reasons why people want be on the coveted Ford GT waiting list, but there’s a reoccurring theme: said individual bleeds Blue Oval Blue, they own (insert Fords here), they’ll promote the Ford GT within the motorsports community and—whoa dude—check out their mad marketing skillz and/or social media reach. While I don’t have the means, my cancer-killing brother does. His application story isn’t about the final submission, it’s about what wasn’t submitted.Brother: As I fill out my application, I’m seeking inspiration via the colors available in the Ford GT Configurator. The selection is limited, so I’m kinda leaning toward the Blue. Me: I like that color since it matches our Essex Continental (i.e. a 1989 Lincoln Continental Signature Series with the Essex V6) too. Those two blue-toned, V6-powered Fords would look great together, in a shark and pilot fish kinda way.Brother: (awkward silence)Me: No dude, the Essex Continental is a great pilot fish. The fact that 3.8-liter Essex Mustangs perform respectably in 24 Hours of LeMons endurance races is a fine endorsement of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost’s potential at the 24 Hours of LeMans. And today’s road-going Essex Continentals are only appealing to scrap metal buyers. Soon they’ll match the Ford GT’s rarity level. Brother: Well…Me: I haven’t finished convincing you! The pilot fish is great because, much like the limited-production Ford GT, the 1988 Continental’s demand far outstripped supply. It rode high on the Taurus’ success. It wasn’t until 1989 when production satisfied demand. Lincoln hit a sales record for this reason: peep this Wikipedia article that I totally didn’t edit.
Brother: And the Essex Continental went down hill after 1989. So how would this pilot fish perform, in terms of the head gaskets and air suspension? Me: It’ll be a great Ford GT pilot fish for the long haul. It has the revised head gaskets, decked heads and coil springs all around. The ride/handling of this independently sprung mini-yacht is better than any Lincoln we own, an ideal transport module for six Ford GT fans. That’s the angle: it’s how you sell FoMoCo on the fact you deserve a spot on the list.Brother: Uh, yeah … so, anyway, I’m finishing up my Ford GT application. I need to know all the Ford products in our possession, past and present. Me: (Rattled them off for the last 30+ years) Can you use them all?Brother: No, I must pick the most relevant ones. Me: Okay, so the pilot fish goes first. Don’t let down the two guys in this super copyrighted picture I dare not post. You gotta flaunt your Blue Oval six-shooter cred in the faces of other’s applications, right? Brother: That’s a pretty convincing photo, but …While my pilot fish concept was thoroughly brilliant, he took another route on his application. A wasted opportunity, as this could’ve been the best Ford GT application to grace the decision maker’s desk(s). Too bad about that. [Images: Ford Motor Company, © 2016 Sajeev Mehta/The Truth About Cars]
Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • VoGo VoGo on Jun 29, 2016

    Sorry, but what the hell is a pilot fish?

  • JohnTaurus JohnTaurus on Jun 29, 2016

    I want a floor-shift 1994 Conti. I hate the 3.8L engine, but its a unique car with a ride that is unmatched for its size.

    • See 2 previous
    • Sajeev Mehta Sajeev Mehta on Jun 30, 2016

      @Sajeev Mehta Yes that's correct, I don't know why I said the bubble Taurus when I meant the more rounded 2nd Gen. I still don't like its rounder shape and tacked on design (doesn't meet the dash nicely) because it looked cheap for a Luxury car back then while the column shift one is pretty classy. The first Gen Taurus console woulda been better. Probably.

  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
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