The Ford GT Application and the Pilot Fish

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]