John Cena broke a golden rule after being gifted a 2017 Ford GT and had to pay a heavy price

Iconic pro-wrestler and gearhead John Cena once found himself at the center of one of the most infamous celebrity car controversies after breaking a strict rule tied to his rare 2017 Ford GT.

The WWE superstar had been hand-picked by Ford to own the ultra-exclusive supercar, which was offered only to a carefully selected group of buyers.

But just months after taking delivery, Cena ended up in a legal battle with the automaker that reportedly cost him dearly.

The saga has since become one of the most talked-about stories involving the legendary American supercar.

John Cena made a mistake with his rare Ford GT

When Ford launched the second-generation Ford GT, the automaker didn’t simply sell the supercar to whoever could afford it.

Potential buyers had to apply for the opportunity to purchase one, with Ford carefully choosing owners it believed would represent the brand and car properly.

John Cena was one of the lucky few selected to own the vehicle, which originally retailed for around $450,000.

However, ownership came with a strict agreement that buyers wouldn’t resell the car for at least two years after purchase.

The rule was designed to stop owners from ‘flipping’ the Ford GT for massive profits as values skyrocketed almost immediately after launch.

But Cena sold his car only a few months after taking delivery.

Ford responded by filing a lawsuit against the wrestler and actor in late 2017, accusing him of breaching his contract and profiting from the unauthorized sale.

According to court filings, Ford claimed Cena had made ‘a large profit’ from the transaction while also harming the brand’s reputation and the exclusivity tied to the Ford GT program.

How the automaker and wrestler became friends again

The lawsuit quickly became headline news across the automotive world because of how rare it is for a manufacturer to sue one of its own customers.

The case was eventually settled out of court in 2018, although the exact amount Cena paid was never publicly revealed.

Ford later confirmed the money from the settlement would be donated to charity and Cena also publicly apologized after the dispute came to an end.

“I love the Ford GT and apologize to Ford,” he said in a statement following the settlement.

The controversy has followed the car ever since, with the Ford GT often being mentioned whenever discussions about strict ownership contracts and hypercar resale restrictions come up.

Despite the drama surrounding Cena’s one, the 2017 Ford GT remains one of the most desirable American supercars ever produced, with many now selling for far more than their original price.