1965 F.I.A. Ford Mustang Race Car

UK Saloon car racing in the 1960's was epitomised by the battles between the American V8 muscle cars like the Ford Mustangs and Falcons, and the English Lotus Ford Cortinas and Austin Minis. Cars were driven in this early period of the BTCC by the Grand-prix stars of the day- like Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss, as well as the saloon car specialists- such as Frank Gardner, Alan Mann and later Gerry Marshall. It was an exciting and evocative period of racing and the crowds enjoyed the closeness of the racing brought about by the contrasting abilities of the nimble Cortinas and Minis and the straight line speed of the V8s.

The owner of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, has raced in historic saloon car racing since 1999 and has enjoyed success in F.I.A specification V8 saloons throughout Europe. During this time he has been responsible for the building and development of several American cars including Mustangs, Falcons and even a Mercury Comet Cyclone. This Mustang was commissioned and built for him in 2010 to the ultimate specification by Wes Harding and Steve Curl of Falcon Hell Racing in Hereford. They used a clean imported shell which was then acid dipped and seam welded. Every component fitted was optimised within the F.I.A regulations and the specification includes bespoke Ohlin dampers, a lightweight T45 integral roll cage, a Bremax aircraft spec wiring loom, new gearbox, Detroit locker LSD, Lightweight American Racing wheels etc. The car is extremely light and strong and the engine sits well back and very low in the chassis.

The engine, a Ford 289 was built to an optimum spec, it gives 400 bhp with the correct exhaust manifolds fitted and the car has only competed in 2 races, one at Donington in late 2010 and one at Oulton Park in 2011. The set up and testing was carried out with the help of Touring car legend Andy Rouse and, once sorted, the car delivered very competitive lap times. However, Nick was approached by the current vendor who ended up buying the car after it was only 2 races old, leaving Nick to commission a replacement Ford Falcon which is still racing today in the hands of Wes Harding. This car, meanwhile, has sat with the current vendor unraced ever since and is now offered for sale due to a complete change of plans.

Offering a chance to buy a car that has many years development built in to it, and offering a significant saving over its cost to build today, it is very sensibly guided. This is especially the case when one considers the car had over £60,000 worth of parts fitted when built, without taking in to account any cost of labour! It could be made road legal if wanted, is welcome in all current F.I.A touring car series and warrants a very close inspection today......