Ford donates first and last FPVs to charity

FORD will auction off the first, and last, ever Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) badged Falcon to help raise money to aid the fight against breast cancer.

The car-maker announced today that the first GT F, build number 001, to come off its Broadmeadows production line would join the last-ever GT-F, build number 500, as part of an online auction to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The proceeds from the eBay sale of the two 351kW/570Nm cars – normally priced from $77,990 but expected to push much higher as buyers compete for the highly poignant build numbers – will pass onto the charity at the end of the August 17-24 auction.

Ford said in a statement announcing the auction that it had already contributed $1.2 million to the foundation over more than a decade.

“We are using the power of our most powerful GT ever to help the National Breast Cancer Foundation further fund breast cancer research,” Ford Australia chief executive Bob Graziano said.

“These two iconic vehicles are the result of the innovation and passion of Ford and its engineers, and we aim to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the equally passionate researchers in their bid to achieve a future of zero deaths from breast cancer.

“We are totally committed to this cause and moving forward, one of the key priorities will be continuing our support of the communities in which we live and work, along with the broader Australian community.”

The auctions of both vehicles will take place simultaneously on eBay and will go live on the evening of Sunday, August 17.

Ford said bidders, who may be asked to pay a $100 deposit to register, would have seven days to make their best offer before the auctions ended at 8pm on Sunday, August 24.

Ford said the FPV GT F 001, complete with Victorian registration GTF 001 and manual transmission, comes in Kinetic Blue with a matte black stripe package.

It has been used by Ford as the “hero car” for the model’s launch program, with the vehicle featuring in video clips, social media campaigns and the road test program.

“GT F 001 has earned the praise of some of the country’s most respected motoring publications and reporters,” it said.

FPV GT F 500 will also feature a manual transmission, but as it is yet to be built, it enables the lucky winning bidder the opportunity to select their preferred vehicle colour and stripe combination.

Both the first- and last-ever FPV-badged sedan also wear a “351” badge that commemorates the race-bred 351 cubic inch (5.8-litre) V8 engine that dates back to the late 1960s and early ’70s.

Ford also plans to auction off another GT F – build number 14, which has been used as a press car – for charity.