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A legendary car collector finally takes delivery of his Mustang GTD
Jay Leno recently took delivery of his new Mustang GTD, one of the earliest customer cars (production number 12), and Ford CEO Jim Farley personally brought it to Leno for the handover. Leno then showcased the car on his YouTube series, giving viewers a close look at the finished vehicle and its bespoke details.
The delivery underlined Ford’s VIP outreach for the GTD launch and put a high-profile spotlight on first customer cars.
Alt text: Ford Mustang GTD on display
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The GTD blends supercar performance with street-legal comfort
The Mustang GTD pairs race-car technology with everyday usability: Ford’s supercharged 5.2-liter V8 is SAE-certified at roughly 815 horsepower, and the package is tuned for extreme lap performance while retaining street legality.
Ford and reviewers stress deliberately engineered ride settings, a dual-clutch transaxle, and cabin refinements so the GTD can be driven sensibly on public roads, a point Jay Leno echoed when he called the car “more civilized” than he had expected.
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Aerodynamic tech includes active drag-reduction and massive downforce
The GTD’s active aerodynamic system borrows ideas from motorsport: an automatic drag-reduction system alters rear-wing geometry and front flaps to balance drag and downforce, while canards and underbody channels manage airflow.
Ford and independent outlets report the aero package produces very large downforce figures in high-speed trim (figures reported in the 1,500–2,000+-pound window depending on speed), letting the GTD stick to the road at extreme track speeds.
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A glass window showcases the rear suspension’s engineering precision
Ford put a purposeful viewing panel behind the cabin so owners and passengers can see the GTD’s inboard rear suspension and transaxle hardware, an intentional, race-car-inspired styling cue.
Reporters and Ford’s own media flagged the two-foot-ish window as both a visual highlight and a reminder of the car’s track origins: it showcases the inboard shocks, pushrod architecture, and the transaxle layout that help achieve near 50/50 weight balance.
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Enthusiasts salute the brand’s craftsmanship and the signed engine bay
Early GTD deliveries highlight boutique craftsmanship: exposed carbon-fiber elements, carefully chosen exterior finishes, and personalized touches have been photographed and filmed on first cars.
In Leno’s example, components such as intake ducts or other build items show signatures or hand-applied details from engineers and assembly techs, a nod to the GTD’s low-volume, hand-assembled nature and an intentional signal to collectors who prize build provenance and artisanal touches.
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Under 7 minutes at the Nürburgring proves Mustang’s global aspirations
Ford returned the GTD to the Nürburgring and posted a 6:52.072 lap, officially showing the street-legal Mustang can crack the sub-7-minute milestone that automakers use to benchmark global supercars.
That timed run, documented by Ford and independent outlets, was presented as proof the GTD can compete on an international performance stage, supporting the narrative that the latest Mustang is engineered to stand alongside established track-focused rivals.
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Despite muscular specs, Leno says it still makes a fine daily driver
In his first-drive coverage, Jay Leno repeatedly emphasized how unexpectedly manageable the GTD felt on public roads; he said it was “more civilized than I thought” and noted it could be driven daily if an owner chose to do so.
Reviewers echoed that the car’s semi-active suspension and selectable ride modes give owners a degree of usability not always present in full-on track cars, balancing extreme performance with city and canyon driving manners.
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Exceptional sound and build quality heighten the experience
The GTD’s exhaust and materials package drew immediate attention: a purpose-built titanium exhaust produces a loud, crisp V-8 note that reviewers say lives up to the car’s performance image, while visible carbon work and carefully assembled interior components reinforce a premium, low-volume build quality.
Jay Leno and other early observers praised the car’s audio presence and craftsmanship, noting these sensory details help justify the GTD’s exclusivity and price.
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The GTD fuses American muscle with European precision
Observers describe the GTD as a hybrid of raw American V-8 muscle and precise, European-style track engineering: the supercharged Predator-based V8 gives unmistakable character while the transaxle layout, DRS aero, and race-derived suspension deliver cornering and balance aimed at Nürburgring-grade lap times.
That deliberate cross-programming is why reviewers say the GTD feels both muscular and technically refined, moving Mustang into territory usually occupied by Euro supercars.
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A price tag as steep as supercars bolsters the value proposition
The GTD’s pricing places it firmly among six-figure halo cars: published window-sticker information and reporting put effective starting prices above $300,000 (commonly reported around $327,960 after mandatory charges), moving it into territory typically reserved for established supercars.
Ford pitches that exclusivity and performance justify the cost, positioning the GTD as a track-focused halo that delivers engineering and materials normally associated with bespoke sports cars rather than mass-market muscle models.
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Leno’s “just love it” sums up his initial verdict
Jay Leno’s initial, unvarnished reaction to driving the GTD was simple and emphatic: he repeatedly said he “just loves it,” praising the sound, feel, and detail.
That kind of plain-spoken endorsement from a veteran collector and host carries weight with enthusiasts and media, reinforcing Ford’s narrative that the GTD is both a collector’s piece and a genuinely enjoyable driver’s car rather than a showpiece only for the racetrack.
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