$716K Ford GT Owner Files Lawsuit Against Dealer for Undisclosed Crash

Apr 13, 2024 02:43 AM EDT

FORD GT IN RACING LIVERY — (Photo : PEXELS/Jacob Moore )

A lawsuit unfolding in Florida unveils a troubling narrative surrounding a Ford GT Heritage Edition, allegedly embroiled in two high-profile crashes. A court battle has erupted over allegations that a Canadian used car company misrepresented a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition that had previously crashed.

Story Behind the Lawsuit

Robert Guarini, following a crash incident in Florida in 2022 involving a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, uncovered undisclosed prior damage during repair assessments. Consequently, Guarini is taking legal action against Silver Arrow, the Canadian dealer, seeking compensation for the discrepancy between the purchase price and the actual value of the vehicle, alongside punitive damages.

According to The Autopian, Automotive News reported that Florida dealership Bourak Auto Sales has filed a lawsuit against Victoria-based Silver Arrow Cars and its owner, Tim Quocksister. The lawsuit alleges fraud and misrepresentation concerning a Ford GT that was involved in a crash outside of North America, subsequently repaired, and resold in North America without disclosing its prior damage.

In 2015, a Ford GT Heritage Edition collided with a pole in Brazil, resulting in a widely documented crash on the internet. Following the incident, Automotive News asserts that the owner arranged for the car to be transported to Detroit for repairs. Subsequently, it was swiftly sold within the United States to another dealership, eventually finding its way to Silver Arrow Cars.

Due to jurisdictional restrictions on data collection, the crash that occurred in Brazil would not appear on the Carfax report for that particular Ford GT. However, reports indicate that the vehicle was subsequently sold at auction, leading to complications in its history.

As detailed by CarScoops, the original Ford GT Heritage edition was crafted to commemorate Ford's remarkable string of overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969, with sales limited to 2006. However, according to Guarini's lawsuit, he unwittingly purchased the model involved in a separate, yet widely publicized, crash in Brazil in 2015.

Following the crash, the Brazilian owner arranged for the vehicle to undergo repairs in Detroit before selling it to a dealer in Tampa, Florida, as reported by Autonews. Both verbally and in writing, the restoration process was disclosed to the buyer at the time of sale. However, this marks the beginning of peculiar circumstances surrounding the vehicle's history.

Autoevolution reported on Robert Guarini, a Florida resident who unknowingly paid $716,800, taxes included, to acquire a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition. Shortly after the purchase, Guarini crashed the vehicle, revealing his struggle with its rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. During repairs, it was uncovered that the car had been involved in a previous accident.

The Accused: Silver Arrow

The report from Autoevolution delved into the lawsuit's intricacies, outlining the claimants' demands, which include compensation for the disparity between the vehicle's purchase price and its actual value, punitive damages, and legal fees. In response, Silver Arrow contests the allegations, asserting they lack merit and highlighting the car's clean title.

Moreover, court documents reveal accusations against Silver Arrow for recording the car's purchase on the same day it was acquired by the Tampa dealer, coincidentally aligning with its purchase in Arizona.

The Canadian dealership is further criticized for enlisting an auctioneer to sell the vehicle in 2022, with the car appearing in a listing on the Barrett-Jackson website in March of that year.

Notably, despite requirements outlined in the pre-consignment form, the auction house was not made aware of the vehicle's previous damage.