The 1965 Ford Mustang AWD represents a significant innovation in automotive history. 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. The Mustangs demonstrated their capabilities in Europe before returning to the United States in 1966.
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.
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.
The British Ford Motor Company's report emphasized the outstanding controllability of the AWD Mustang, especially in emergencies and for less skillful drivers. Despite this, Ford chose not to proceed with production, leaving Mustangs to continue sliding in the rain and snow.
DAC 433C retired in the Ferguson Museum on the Isle of Wight and was later offered for sale. In 1970, Jensen adopted the AWD transmission on the Interceptor, but other experiments with the Ford Zephyr and Ford Capri did not yield further developments. The legacy of Harry Ferguson's inventive mind continued with subsequent contemporary automobiles.
In summary, the 1965 Ford Mustang AWD remains a notable chapter in automotive history, representing a bold attempt to combine sportiness with advanced all-wheel-drive technology, though it ultimately remained a fascinating "what if" in the evolution of the iconic Mustang.
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