[Historybuff]

Hi Bill:
OK, makes sense, but I wonder about those Roush cars. I think he calls his version of the GT the 600RE. In the publicity originally I thought they said they are "the last ten cars" but I think he may have meant the last ten built for UK or Continental importation. Do you think the sales of the European models didn't go as planned and Ford of Europe (or UK) said to Roush: "See if you can do anything with these?"

Here's an article from the Car Connection website: -----------------





The official stock of 101 Ford GTs that left America for Europe has sold out, but there's still new models available Stateside and legendary tuning firm Roush is now exporting them to the Britain.

Just ten cars are available, now badged as the GT 600RE. The first bit of the name is the power - up from 550 bhp on the standard GT - while the letters stand for Roush Europe.



Other changes a new exhaust system, tinted glass, color-keyed hoses under the hood, and black powder-coated wheels. Unique identity plaques are also available. The sprint to 60 mph is completed in 3.4 seconds and top speed is restricted to 205 mph.



The 600RE costs roughly $300,000, a good $40,000 more than the standard car was, and two have already found homes. "We've taken a winning formula and enhanced those areas with features which our customers have asked for," said a Roush spokesman.



The company is synonymous with the GT. It developed the car's powertrain, and also converted all the Europe-bound models to meet local legislation. Roush also has a history of creating special-edition Fords, and was the brains behind the 420RE version of the Mustang.
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Actually the answer to that isn't as important as 1.)did Roush bid against Saleen to build the Ford GTs and, if so, why did he lose when he already
had proved to Ford that he was very competent (and had the engine development contract as well). The only thing I can think of is that he had better connections with Ford brass, or maybe his Saleen S7 convinced Ford that if he could build a car that good, that building the Ford GT ought to be duck soup. Has there ever been an interview in print with Roush saying why he didn't get the assembly contract or didn't he even try?

Say hello to the gang and tell them I miss cruising Woodward in the Sixties
when gas was what--35 cents a gallon?