Prototype FWD '64 V8 Mustang FF

DavidNA

Junior Member
I put a up a post on the early V8 Forum, and mentioned a FWD prototype FWD Mustang V8 I used to own and sold to the US last year, with a prototype FWD system made by Ferguson Engineering in Great Britain.

Ford and Ferguson having a long relationship as Ford built the FWD tractor under licence from Ferguson.

In 1964 Ford shipped a standard V8 Coupe to England for Ferguson to convert into a FWD vehicle, which was know as the Mustang FF, this because the basis for the FWD Jenson Interceptor FF. Pics of the FF badge attached.
The car was registered in England in January 1965.

The car was used by Fergusons as a works demonstrator and was shown at racing events competing against a standard factory Mustang, have driven the car, if comes out of a corner line like a train on rails. It was also used as a demonstrator by the Swiss police for mountain rescue, and formed the basis for British Police FWD patrol cars , in addition at least one US Police or State Police bought FWD Mustangs at a later date .

The car was owned by Fergusons until it was retired into their Museum, later being sold to a friend of the Museum, from whom I bought the car. It is now in a Museum in Florida.

It was the first of the high performance FWD cars that we see on the roads today.

Hope you like the pics, the car has only done just over 70K miles, with every mile recorded in the log books that came with the car

I have posted a second set of pics.

Regards

DavidA
 

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Some more pics showing the FWD system.
 

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Thanks for posting David. I know about the FF Jensens but never knew of this application to a Mustang. I own a 64 1/2 Mustang as well as my V8 coupe. Do I have your permission to post this link on the Vintage Mustang Forum? I'm sure the boys over there would be interested and many like me would have been unaware of this magnificent machine. If you'd prefer I didn't I understand.

GB
 
Scared the hell out of me there for a minute until I looked at the pictures. I thought you were talking about a front wheel drive prototype. Four wheel drive would handle like it was on rails. Ferguson built some Indy car chassis for use with the powerful Novi engines during the early 60s, with 4 wheel drive.
 
Very interesting David. Thank you for posting this. I am currently vacationing in Florida, do you happen to know if it being displayed to the public in the museum? If so, can you offer the info of where? Thanks again, Dave
 
That is very interesting, I have a son who has a low mileage 1966 GT Mustang notch back.
 
I am but a simple wrench twister, but I have a question for someone further up the chain of auto building and sales. How much would this add to the cost of a car had it been available back then?
 
I am but a simple wrench twister, but I have a question for someone further up the chain of auto building and sales. How much would this add to the cost of a car had it been available back then?


I am no expert, but worked in Ford powertrain engineering for many years. I would guess if a Mustang back in the day was made with front drive instead of rear drive, and made in the same mass quantities, that the price would probably be very close to the same either way.
You would just be substituting the rear axle for a front drive axle. Only extra cost may be from adding a small transfer case to direct the driveshaft to the front axle.
 
I am no expert, but worked in Ford powertrain engineering for many years. I would guess if a Mustang back in the day was made with front drive instead of rear drive, and made in the same mass quantities, that the price would probably be very close to the same either way.
You would just be substituting the rear axle for a front drive axle. Only extra cost may be from adding a small transfer case to direct the driveshaft to the front axle.


Sorry, I never looked at the pictures that closely. When FWD was mentioned, I thought it meant front wheel drive. The car pictured is a 4x4 or AWD (all wheel drive) and not FWD. I'm sure in that case the price would be significantly more.
 
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