High-profile charity auctions continue to spotlight the upper reaches of modern performance cars, with manufacturers using early production examples to generate attention and funding for good causes. In recent days, both General Motors and Ford Motor Company placed halo vehicles on the auction stage, reinforcing how exclusivity and performance remain powerful tools in the collector market.
General Motors recently offered the first Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, carrying VIN 001, at a Barrett-Jackson auction, where it brought $2.6 million for charity. The Stars & Steel Edition example was purchased by NASCAR team owner and automotive dealer Rick Hendrick, underscoring continued demand for ultra-limited American supercars. Ford followed with its own charity moment by auctioning the first Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC, raising $1.25 million for Type 1 diabetes research.
While the Dark Horse SC is part of the seventh-generation S650 Mustang lineup and reportedly produces well over 700 horsepower, it remains positioned below Ford’s most extreme offering. That distinction belongs to the Ford Mustang GTD, the brand’s 815-horsepower, supercharged V8 flagship. Despite a starting price of $327,000 before destination and options, demand for the GTD has reportedly been strong enough to prompt expanded production, pushing some buyers into 2026 model-year slots.
A small group of owners took delivery late last year or early this year, and customization has already begun. One recently highlighted example showcases how subtle changes can reshape the appearance of Ford’s most aggressive Mustang to date. Dayton, Ohio-based Forgeline, known for custom forged aluminum wheels, featured a GTD prepared by ICON Automotive Service of Grapevine, Texas.
Finished entirely in black, the Mustang GTD projects a stark, intimidating presence aligned with its track-focused engineering. That look is softened slightly by the addition of 20-inch Forgeline VV1R one-piece forged monoblock wheels finished in Satin Performance Gold. The color choice introduces contrast without overwhelming the car’s monochrome theme. The wheels are paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, reinforcing that the visual update does not compromise the GTD’s track capability.
As more GTDs reach owners, variations like this are likely to become more common, reflecting individual tastes within a very limited production run. With both the Mustang GTD and the Dark Horse SC drawing attention in different ways, Ford’s current performance lineup illustrates how modern muscle cars now operate firmly in supercar territory, both on the auction block and on the street.
