The 1965 Ford Mustang AWD represents a significant innovation and notable chapter in automotive history, representing a bold attempt to combine sportiness with advanced all-wheel-drive technology.
In the late 1950s, Harry Ferguson pioneered a groundbreaking all-wheel-drive system with different torque on the front and rear wheels. This revolutionary transmission was showcased in a Formula One race car driven by Sir Stirling Moss. Following Ferguson's passing in 1959, Harry Ferguson Research Ltd. continued his work.
In 1964, Ford manufactured two Mustangs equipped with the Ferguson Formula One All-Wheel Drive system. These Mustangs, shipped to England, received not only the AWD transmission but also anti-lock brakes, a precursor to the ABS system. One of the Mustangs, registered in January 1965 by Harry Ferguson Research Ltd., marked the first AWD conversion of a standard production car. In addition to the transmission, the Mustang received anti-lock brakes adapted from Dunlop Maxaret airplane brakes. Both Mustangs toured Europe and returned to the United States for demonstrations to major automakers.
Despite impressive performance in comparative tests with major automotive giants like Ford, Chrysler, GM, and American Motors, the AWD Mustang never made it to production. The additional cost and the success of the existing Mustang likely deterred Ford from introducing a new model. However, the AWD Mustangs garnered praise for their superior control on slippery surfaces, though it ultimately remained a fascinating "what if" in the evolution of this iconic car.
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