Loading
Seymour's Bird Seymour's Bird
Menu
/home / news / Ford GTX1 First Drive, The Open-Top...
NEWS

Ford GTX1 First Drive, The Open-Top Supercar With GT40 Roots

By Seymour's Bird Editorial Team • 2 min read • 28 September 2026
Ford GTX1 open-top roadster showcasing its aggressive orange paint and supercar design

Ford GTX1 open-top roadster showcasing its aggressive orange paint and supercar design

Ford GTX1 brings a thrilling open-top driving experience to the legendary Ford GT supercar family, channeling the historic spirit of vintage GT40 roadsters. Built by Mark Gerisch of Genaddi Design Group, this radical roadster conversion strips away the fixed roof to create one of the most striking custom vehicles on the asphalt.

The vehicle features an intricate four-piece removable roof system that stows away inside the car when not in use, while also transforming into rear cooling vents when closed. Despite a slight reduction in structural rigidity, the engineering team reinforced the chassis with side rails and a new B-pillar for enhanced rollover protection.

Under the hood, minor engine modifications including Borla headers and a smaller supercharger pulley push the horsepower output from a conservative 550 up to an impressive 618. A revised suspension drops the car by over an inch, giving it an aggressive stance that complements its dazzling orange paint inspired by 1970 championship racers.

Interior refinements include brushed silver grommets, French seams on Sparco seats, and a carbon-fiber shifter that elevate the cabin's bespoke feel. Transforming a standard GT into this open-air machine requires a hefty financial investment, but the resulting visual presence on the Pacific Coast Highway is undeniably unmatched.

Honoring the Legendary Racing Heritage of 1966

Ford gt

Ford's racing legacy dates back to 1966 when Henry Ford II boldly predicted victory at Le Mans following years of relentless aerodynamic and mechanical development. Shelby American drivers Lloyd Ruby and Ken Miles successfully piloted a roadster-bodied GT to a dominant win at the Sebring 12-hour race that same year.

The historical triumphs continued as Miles and Ruby conquered the Daytona 24-hour race, culminating in Ford's iconic 1-2-3 photo-finish victory at Le Mans. Those legendary endurance-racing achievements established the foundation for open-top racing prototypes that later inspired custom creations like the GTX1 roadster.

Genaddi's conversion successfully bridges the gap between classic motorsport history and modern aftermarket coachbuilding ingenuity. Every design cue on the GTX1 pays homage to the glorious racing pedigree that cemented Ford's dominance in global endurance competition four decades prior.

Enthusiasts seeking to own a piece of this rolling history must bring both a donor car and significant capital to the workshop table. Ultimately, the Ford GTX1 remains an audacious celebration of speed, style, and uncompromising automotive passion.

Topics
ford gtx1 ford gt gt40 supercar roadster genaddi design group automotive history first drive
Editorial Team - Sports News

Seymour's Bird Editorial Team is a group of professional sports journalists dedicated to delivering accurate and reliable news and analysis. From football, basketball, motorsports, to general sports news, we are here for enthusiasts with accurate, fast, and trustworthy information.