The Mustang name first appeared in association with a Ford was through a concept car in 1962. It was a compact sports car — similar in length to an MX-5, but shorter and narrower — two-seater and equipped with a V4 positioned at the rear of the occupants.
In 1964, when the Ford Mustang based on the more familiar Ford Falcon — with longitudinal front engine and rear-wheel drive — the original concept only took advantage of the name and inspiration for the rear air “intake”.
But what if Ford had gone ahead and created a mid-range rear-engine Mustang?
Would the result be similar to the Ford Mach 40?
The name — Ford Mach Forty (40) — comes from the combination of the Mustang Mach 1 and the GT40. The first, a 1969 unit, served as a donor model for several parts used in the final construction. Windscreen, rear window, roof, optics niches, part of the front mudguards, rear optics, door handles and “cards”, seat structure.The second… well, relax. No precious Ford GT40 was used for this project, but the Ford GT, the “homage” to the original GT40, released in 2004.
What we're actually seeing is a fusion of a Mustang and a GT, creating something truly unique. Will it be the first “super-muscle car”? The work reveals a high level of execution — construction took around three years, reflecting the complexity of the task.
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A mustang like no other
This unique unit belongs to a retired engineer named Terry Lipscomb, who envisioned a rear mid-engine Mustang: “I wanted a rear mid-engine Mustang that gave us an idea of what it would be like if Ford had done it over the years. 60".
The project started in 2009 (it was presented at SEMA in 2013), and what stands out are the proportions — shorter than any other Mustang, and even shorter than the Ford GT, at just 1.09 m tall. The interior doesn't hide the origins of the super sports car, but you can see many typical Mustang elements from that period, from the steering wheel to the four instruments on the dashboard.
Steering wheel and period instruments.
Mike Miernik was the designer responsible for this genetic fusion, while Eckert’s Rod & Custom carried out all the necessary modifications, with the bodywork being designed by Hardison Metal Shaping.
Motor? V8 of course
What doesn't come from the 60s is the engine. Already perfectly installed and ready to use was the Ford GT V8, but it wasn't unscathed. Standard the 5.4 liter V8 with compressor delivered 558 hp at 6500 rpm and 678 Nm at 3750 rpm — obviously that wasn't enough.
The compressor was replaced by a larger one, from Whipple, as well as the fuel supply system, received new pumps, injectors and even a new aluminum fuel tank. Changes needed, in part, to be able to use E85 — a fuel made up of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. To top it off, the engine's electronic management is now carried out through a Motec unit, which has been “tuned” by PSI.
The result is 730 hp and 786 Nm, a considerable leap compared to the standard engine. As mentioned, the Mach 40 can run at E85, and in that case, the number of horsepower rises to a much more expressive 860 hp.
It maintains rear traction and the transmission goes through the use of Ricardo's manual six-speed gearbox, which equipped the GT.
Chassis hides heresy
There's no mistaking it, something that's more associated with a Ford than this Mach 40, there shouldn't be, as it descends from two of its models with greater historical significance. However, when we wander through the specifications of the model, components of heretical origin emerge.
The modifications to the GT were of such an order, that practically nothing was left of the suspension scheme. The Ford Mach 40 features, at the front, a suspension scheme adapted from a… Corvette (C6). At the rear, the suspension arms of the Corvette were also used, and it doesn't stop there. Steering comes from the iconic American sports car, as well as some axle shaft components.
Dramatic proportions, like a super sports car, just 1.09 m tall
Regardless of the source of the components, the end result is impressive. There is only this unit and no more will be done; but we will have the opportunity to “drive” the Mach 40, albeit virtually: Gran Turismo Sport added the Ford Mach 40 to its list of cars at the end of last month.