The RARE AWD Mustang That Ford Refused To Build

[@rarecars3336]

Here’s how to enter the sweepstakes for FREE: ridge.com/rarecars. Which prize would you choose? Let me know in the comments!

[@goosegarage78]

Slightly incorrect: ford AUSTRALIA had IRS since 1998 in the falcon! It wasnt til ford couldnt get them federalised in the usa that ford chucked them in the parts bin. The car your showing is a notchback. The ACTUAL car was a convertable. Also fergusson didnt just do mustangs: converted 4 ford capris for rally testing the bits are still floating around if you know who to ask. One capri still survives in the UK. They also converted a 1987 AIT turbo XF (australian) ford falcon that was written off on a wet road. Rumours are its being rebuilt.

[@GoTakeADrive]

Saw this car back in February, worth a visit. They also have a Ferguson AWD unit cut away to check out. Didn't know about their involvement with AMC (I have an 86 Eagle)

[@mrspandel5737]

Ford of UK also had Ferguson build a series of about 20 AWD Zephyrs to evaluate for police use in about 1969, AND then they put the FF AWD system in the Ford Capri and went Rallyecross racing with them, with predictably dominant result until AWD was banned in 1973. And I also recall at least one Ford Wagon equipped with an AWD system by Dana Corporation using a sort of Y-drive transfer case with two driveshafts going straight to the front left and right wheel hubs each.

[@Retrofordguy]

Was just gonna say that exact same thing ford of Dagenham still have an original fergie 4x4 capri in there heritage workshop. I didn't know the mustang was the first intended car that fergie wanted to create I just knew about the capri and some others mainly capri as I'm a bit of a capri nut from uk

[@billsomerset238]

I worked in Ford dealerships for 25 years starting in 1970 and I've never heard of this mustang. I still have the original parts catalogs for the original cobra.

[@danbob1650]

How about 1964 4 door mustang? I think there was a wagon.. also. Full replacement car line for falcon? You remember a AWD tempo?

[@milescarter7803]

In the UK?

[@billsomerset238]

@@milescarter7803 no, USA

[@scottsmith5623]

Do I remember the AWD Tempo?! Ha… yes i definitely remember replacing all the u-joints on the rear axles when I wrenched for Ford… was definitely an afterthought as it seemed they would fail well before the 36,000 mile warranty was up.

[@steveallen1340]

This car would have changed car meet exits to this day.

[@tanside979]

Interesting, especially the addition of ABS as well. Never heard of it till today.

[@bvward]

I heard about this back in the day, probably Popular Mechanics or similar. I recall a Plymouth Fury police car was done as well. I'm an "old guy"☺

[@billspangler2685]

Need more videos like this. Informative video with history and heritage included. Had no idea there were 4wd Mustangs!

[@cuddlepoo11]

Never heard of this before this video. Good stuff!!

[@GreenHawkDrive]

If only I could make videos this good, well done brotha!!!

[@TheAceofIron]

oh you for sure do. don’t doubt yourself, you do 😭

[@blue_lancer_es]

Dude you make great vids. I would say on par with this channel.

[@JohnFrey-b4p]

I've been to the museum where this car resides and it is a very well kept vehicle. Still in drivable condition and very nice in person.

[@popeye089]

I would disagree about the soul statement with the mustang suv as the basis for my argument 😂 Edit addition*** 7:24 hurt every car enthusiast’s soul 😢

[@JYoung-ex4lj]

Not to mention the Mustang II

[@ThomasNygard-my9jt]

Ok we don't speak of ii or the ev. They don't exist don't speak of them😅😅😂

[@anthonyfrench3169]

I've gotten a few good books about the Mustang and this was the first time I've heard of this. Pretty awesome!! And truly a rare car indeed!

[@Armond144]

NO MENTION OF 1999-2004 MUSTANG "COBRA" INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION SETUP!?!?!?

[@randallmalone8840]

First thing I thought. Guy doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground

[@stellingbanjodude]

That wasn’t standard across all models

[@Armond144]

@@stellingbanjodude I NEVER SAID IT DID. "COBRA'S ONLY" BUT THE VERY BEGINING OF THE VIDEO IS IMPLYING SOMETHING TOTALY DIFFERENT!!!! 2015 WAS THE BEGINNING OF ALL MUSTANGS HAVING REAR INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ACROSS ALL MODEL LINES!!!

[@stellingbanjodude]

@@Armond144 quit screaming dude! JEEZ take a Prozac.

[@Armond144]

@@stellingbanjodude IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN 🥵🥵🥵🥵!!!! ANDDD.....EFF COMPUTER ETIQUETTE!!!! UPPER CASE LOWER CASE BS!!!

[@americanrambler4972]

I did not know about the Ferguson Mustang, but I did know about the Ferguson connection with the AMC Eagle. At the time it was referred to as the “silly putty” center drive system because of the configuration of the center transfer axle.

[@lancerevell5979]

A "gold plated cyber truck".... proof you CAN polish a turd. 😮

[@josephhigh2412]

Yeah,but now it's a polished turd.

[@bretthawton]

Never heard of this one before- NICE FIND!

[@rarecars3336]

Thanks for watching - glad you enjoyed!

[@gazdav422]

I'd heard about the fergie Mustang, it had a mention in another video I watch a while ago. Knowing a bit about Jensens, the anti lock brakes were fitted to the FF, and we're Dunlop maxaret brakes, that were borrowed from the aviation industry. So I could make an educated guess that the same brakes were fitted as part of the 4wd set up to the Mustang.

[@evalonious]

Ya I did not know about this rare mustang. Score!

[@mikehenson819]

I’m now 67, and remember when mustang came out. I had many friends who had them and know how “ tail end light” they were; especially when roads were wet or icy. This system would have saved many wrecked mustangs had they offered it.

[@nathanielmoore87]

Ford did a lot of experimenting with the Mustang back in the 60s. From AWD to IRS to a wagon to the Shelby notchback EXP.

[@TheMuskokaman]

I've never heard of it until today & I've been a Ford guy for over 50 years. It's a shame Ford didn't pursue that platform. Northern folks who drive in snow for 6 months of the year would have been a ready made market.

[@chevyboyforlife4234]

They put independent rear suspension in the mustang as far back as the 99 with the cobra and other high end models

[@gersonhay984]

That would Have been fun to Drive. They Should make it Now in the Old 66 Mustang. I would Buy It.

[@chrisdunham2911]

the mustang front suspension is set up perfectly for AWD. with the spring above the upper control arms you would need minimal fabrication to make it work

[@ItsDaJax]

I ran across a youtube channel back in April where they made an awd S550, with a Hilux front axle and some sort of tcase.

[@PhilipLaLonde]

I'm a Jenson FF fan. So I know about the name. But the Ford/Mustang and AMC/Eagle connections are all news to me. Thanks!

[@rarecars3336]

Glad you enjoyed - Love the FF too just such a cool car!

[@VHP7044]

The live axle worked well. It kept the cost down. Independent suspensions on large SUV’s are solutions looking for a problem.

[@milescarter7803]

The original engineering drafts for a simple independent rear exist (think early Corvette/Jag IRS). And there was at least one company making a kit using the drawings as inspiration. But yes, cost kept the axle a 'live' one in more ways than one, the Mustang is the only Pony car that did not get canceled.

[@thomaskelley1718]

Can't say I heard of them,. Very interesting

[@rarecars3336]

Glad you liked it - I thought this one was a really niche one!

[@deanstevenson6527]

I was 10 years old, I saw the IRS in a pre-production 65 Mustang in an ealy 65 Hot Rod magazine. The FF Four wheel drive, never saw it until the British 1968 Mark IV Zephyr article in a UK Magazine in 1990. It said the front suspension was from the FF 65 289 Mustang..and I was like , a what? Jack Brahahm was working on two ABS 69 Mustangs with four wheel drive at the same time. So the AMC Concorde AWD was really a copy of the many coil over a-arm Ford Mustang Independent Front Suspension (IFS) from 65-69 that FF produced in prototype form, and ,because of parts sharing, the same IFS design as the 19 cars FF made for the United Kingdom Ford Zephyr 3 liter V6 Mark IV emergency serices and police cars in 1968. A project also cancelled by Ford.

[@mikelyon5595]

Infomative!

[@christophecamus3295]

Very interesting video thanks

[@JosephCowen-fz8vj]

Australian Ford Falcon s had twin wishbone rear diff LSD in 2000 when it still ran the 5.0 and Aussie 5.6 Windsor , best suspension ever ( The Falcon and Mustang were the same floor pan and mechanicals in the 1960s)

[@cee128d]

Massey is pronounced with the short A sound like mad, have, and has, not the long A you used.

[@fixer1972]

Never heard of this all-wheel-drive Mustang before this video.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!! 👍👍

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

It would be a fun project to modify a 79-82 Mustang hatchback with a 200-6 and manual transmission to 4wd. I would move the front suspension forward to give more room for the front drive system. The floor pan would need lots of modifications for the transfer case. The car would need a lot of modifications to finish.

[@snextime]

The IRS went into production in the early 2000’s for ford. The early Cobra Mustangs all had IRS.

[@DangerAngelous]

“Ford didn’t wanna do an independent rear end to keep the soul of the Mustang” nah they did it because it was CHEAAAAAAAP

[@rogerf7265]

Ford also built a few prototype MN12 Thunderbird Super Coupes, first with the assistance of Porsche and later with Dana Corporation. I believe that the last remaining vehicle is now owned by the Super Coupe Club of America.

[@Freesavh1776]

Man that blue 65-66 Mustang is absolutely gorgeous. Also did anyone else see that awesome 73 Chevy C10 well it's probably a C20 in the background when they're shooting in the garage. It's the always awesome 2 tone Chevy orange and white. Straight across from the Chevy truck is another Chevy truck square body. Looks like it's probably a 76 maybe. Another great looking truck. And you know that guy that slid off the ramps in the black fastback is p*ssed and depressed at the same time. That's an expensive F-up.

[@ANDYblacks13]

The Jenson interceptor FF had the same driveline and abs and iirc it was the first production car sold with the abs system

[@Zenny916]

bring on the re-bodied Broncostangs! lol. I once saw a square body Caprice wagon on a K15 chassis, backroad champ that one; boozecruiser

[@rarecars3336]

That sounds like beer personified in a vehicle lol

[@Jason_Quinn]

Harry Ferguson--I loved him in that movie where he wins a sheepdog competition with a pig.

[@Scottmacneill-v7y]

Had never heard of it

[@a73capri]

Ford did use the Ferguson system in Europe on the 1969-71 Ford Capri Rallycross competition cars for the British market. The cars did reasonably well, but the program was canceled in favor of using Ford's lighter weight Escort in rallys. The system didn't make it to the production Capri.

[@therealjasonseidel]

Looks like the system AMC used in the Eagle .

[@ml9867]

In regards to the 2003/2004 Mustang SVT Cobra I saw a video mentioning something about their wiper blades. They didn't say what it was, so I'm not sure if there's an Easter Egg, a problem, or some interesting fact about them. This was possibly in the Doug DeMuro video about the Mystic Chrome Cobra.

[@j.moneyfilms]

They have a "wind diffuser" on them. Thats the only difference, and theyre worth $$$ online.

[@ml9867]

@@j.moneyfilms Oh, cool, thanks. Is it the wiper blades or the wiper arms?

[@Paul_D_Lashley]

I’ve seen an early mustang that belonged to Henry the second I believe. It’s much higher quality and build materials than the regular production mustangs

[@lancerevell5979]

Four Wheel Drive...... All Wheel Drive..... two quite different systems, for different purposes.

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

Today yes but it hasn't always been that way. AWD and 4WD were used interchangeably for many years, then, I believe mostly pioneered by Subaru with their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, in the early seventies AWD began to appear as a marketing term, then others began to adopt the term as we rolled into the eighties and nineties. However, especially in Europe, Ford, Fiat, Audi, etc. all produced vehicles which today we would designate as All Wheel Drive, but were then, marketed and sometimes even badged as Four Wheel Drive. However, even Subaru confused things back in the day because they would use the term ' four wheel drive' when describing its SAWD system. Especially in the Europe where some of their models would be badged 4WD, AWD, and even FWD.

[@truebras]

Obviously the all wheel drive system and ABS went in short time to Jensen FF, Ferguson.

[@stanleyhoward1893]

All three!!!

[@rona1144]

No, never heart of it, but fascinating to hear.

[@shortattentionspangarage1312]

According to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's website, they do have one. I haven't gotten over there yet to see it in person though, but I don't see a reason they'd lie about it on their website.

[@davebarron5939]

Nope, never heard of it, great story and "connections" of the past.

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

As if history was telling us that ford didn't want to sell awd mustang but nowadays we have mach e (ev cross over for anyone who doesn't have the heart to own real car 😅) with today's video it's no surprised how different our world is now on driving safer cars over pass 50 years anyway thanks for the video and have a nice day bye now. P.S. Hey rare cars did you know ford were experimenting on rear engine mustang mach 1 in the late 60s.

[@VHP7044]

The live axle worked well. It kept cost down. Independent suspension for large SUV’s are a solution looking for a problem.

[@cuzanater2027]

I only want an AWD Mustang if I can put it in drift mode like the Focus RS!

[@robertraber4770]

There a electric mustang up at Auburn, Indiana museum I’ve seen it there

[@kcdesignconcepts5216]

I guess this is where they got the idea from for the hoonicorn😂

[@jamesbosworth4191]

A one-off is not rare, it is a one-of-a-kind. When something is rare, there is more than one, just not a lot.

[@marknilsson5782]

It said there were 2 maybe 3 made!

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@marknilsson5782 Then you shouldn't have called in 1 of 1.

[@thebionicbassplayer]

I've never heard of an AWD Mustang, almost sounds like a trick question. Very impressive, this was so far ahead of it's time, Ford still hasn't done it.

[@samuelbean9928]

Question. What was the official 25th anniversary model? I have been told 1990. I had a 1989 LX Hatchback that had all of the 25th anniversary interior and exterior badges. My car was supposedly ordered the way it was instead of just bought off the lot.

[@rt_goblin_hours]

I wonder id they shouldve thrown it on the cougar, the mercury rebadge And maybe I would've led to meecury going awd standard and madw it more distinct from ford Or hell throw it on the bird

[@BobEllis79]

Refused to build is quite different than chose not to build. Gotta love the Internet.

[@boredom.victim]

probably 2 with the conversion done and they have one of those 2 and the stock mustang would be the third car.

[@crazyquilt]

Everyone knows the only way to get anywhere on the leaderboards is an AWD swap.

[@waynebarnes8429]

At the start of this video, we are told they don’t wanna make any changes and had it in 50 years and such and that it would not be a good idea to make a radical changes then how did the mustang E happen at all? That is the biggest tarnishment to the Mustang name there has ever been.

[@michaelparra8719]

the 99 to 04 cobras had IRS

[@rarecars3336]

True but the GT and Machs didnt have it - wasn't until 2015 when it became standard

[@jasonk4855]

Anti-lock brakes weren't standard until 2011?

[@alexinnewwest1860]

Since the mustang was basically Ford Fairlane. I doubt this

[@williammagginetti4972]

I think the 1999 mustang also had I.R.S.😊

[@JamesBowman-vk4ob]

Never heard of this Mustang before , To bad Ford didn't have the ball's to build it !

[@kimvette1]

If Ford had offered an AWD Mustang, I'd have bought one instead of the Stinger GT2.

[@tkskagen]

I had a dream 2 days ago about my having an AWD 1999 SVT Cobra Mustang... This should have happened 30+ years ago!

[@johncuprisin8752]

Cars are All Wheel Drive AWD. Off road vehicles and trucks are 4WD. Anti-lock brakes do not stop shorter. You can’t violate the laws of physics. They actually increase stopping distance due to the apply release operation that prevents wheel lockup and allow steering control that you don’t get with the wheels locked. IRS adds much more than $10.00 per vehicle.

[@hoebywan]

Actually, cars can have 4wd systems. The difference is that they are part-time as opposed to full-time AWD. Also, stopping distances are reduced on almost all road surfaces with anti-l8ck brakes. 👍

[@theyhateme8763]

so wrong

[@T-bird_Johnny]

4wd is just all the time, awd is only a percentage of the overall torque gets sent each axle it doesn't matter the vehicle it is put in; car, truck, off-road, or on road

[@mykec.selene8302]

Nope. I have never heard of this either

[@jayartz8562]

"Risk tarnishing the name" Mustang mach e (cough)

[@robertbelote5273]

Nothing is new. I didn't know this car existed and I thought I was a Ford guy but think about this, The rear engine Corvette has been made three different times already and it was a prototype before that. I don't know why all these companies do that. It's been proven that advancement in car technology is directly related to societal advancement .

[@precisioncutsandtrimslawns6645]

Cost as they say... GREED...

[@mikyl-fo8rh]

A huge mistake by ford to not make a Mazda supplied awd mustang.

[@CarlosRobinson-y9u]

I dont know if you consider the RH,LH drive T5's as😢😢 rare"

[@RobertGuidry-f3f]

They would never want to tarnish the illustrious History of the Car. No? Then explain to me the full electric POS that is the "Mustang" Muck E.

[@npvg]

Great video! I made my own AWD 2017 Mustang. How to Make an AWD Mustang In 20 Minutes! - American GT-R Ep 26 - Project Traction-AWD S550 Mustang kzbin.info/www/bejne/in2xq4uDfLKam68

[@rarecars3336]

No Way I watched your video before when it first went viral - so cool to have you here, glad you liked the video. Your car is awesome!

[@davidhollenshead4892]

The live axle Mustang is better, as it won't need even a 25% of the service of the independent rear supervention...

[@raoultorrez4508]

Nev😢heard of this .santa fe nm

[@minnesotatomcat]

What’s wrong with a straight axle?

[@ItsDaJax]

They have some cons, but not a damn thing to me.

[@jayartz8562]

Depends on the car's mission.

[@alexander1485]

Its in tampa

[@geographicaloddity2]

The EV monstrosity that they tagged "mustang " has tarnished the name more than anything else could have done.

[@ddrhero]

What I want in a mustang is huge drivetrain loss paired to a miserable slush box.

[@rarecars3336]

I don't think the drivetrain loss was THAT much more

[@allenkranawetter9482]

It should have got built

[@askmeboutthatruth]

You do know that in 1999 the mustang Cobra had an independent rear suspension that continued through, I think, 2007... So, you really do need to dot your i's and cross your t's (or at least hit the Google microphone and ask a question) before you publish your next KZbin video. 😉👉🕵️

[@arringtontim07]

It isn't a Ford if it was not made by Ford, like marmon Harrington Ford's.

[@RandyJM21]

So stupid AWD was not availible . Would have had a world beater GTR type of vheicle ALONG with a RWD fun car .People buy base 4WD F150s with 5.0 to put suoerchargers on to womp RWD 5.0 Mustangs with a holeshot . Imagine a coyote mustang with a stout AWD system you could chuck a SC on and actually have traction and get a proper launch . Still big and sticky tires but 4 with power . Instead people buy heavy square brick F150s . So dumb that Ford and or americans think being traction limited and doing burn outs is cooler then actually accelerating . Just plain old STUPID . You can have both . A crowd killing drift car and fun oversteer and a car with traction for those who want it . I have been saying this for DECADES. GM made the Syclone and then shit their panties when it was actually fast and shut it downnlike it didnt happen and that was with a PU and BOX/ SUV , a smaller lighter and lower car would hwve evolved into a world beater . Geez , 911s became deadly street racing from a dig cars with AWD , 911s besides 930 T were always underpowered and slow in drag races and eventually with AWD they became crazy 10 sec cars. Porsche actually perfected RWD as well and their relatively low HP and heavy 911s can get a great holeshot now as well for RWD being rear engined and really great traction managment , launch control and stout transmissions etc . Over priced but . Imagine a 5.0 coyote AWD you could mod into 750 -1000 hp street fighter hot rod .

[@MichaelADoesIndeedHaveACat]

lol I just saw this car

[@dameon2170]

You want burn outs smoking the back tires was a thing

[@gchampi2]

Ferguson were on a hiding to nothing with Ford in this case. Ford (US) wouldn't work with Ferguson if you'd paid them, due to the Ferguson v. Ford "Legal Issues". Y'see, Ford blatantly ripped off several of Ferguson's (patented) tractor design features. Ferguson promptly sued Ford, AND WON, winning a couple of MILLION dollars in punitive damages, and a Very Favorable (to Ferguson) licensing agreement. With all this going on in the 1930's, that was SERIOUS money, resulting in a severe corporate dislike for anything with the name Ferguson attached to it...

[@orest395]

They tarnished the name by making it into a electric suv

[@randallmalone8840]

Apparently 99-04 mustang cobras with factory IRS don't count? When you start out the video with a flat out wrong fact..... I find it hard to believe you checked any of your other facts.

[@adamwest1751]

The Mach E ruined the mustang forever

[@rarecars3336]

It is a sad reality that the mach e exists - as a mach 1 owner lol

[@DarrellHenderson-n5s]

no

[@rarecars3336]

Not a fan?

[@GeraldWood-ig9rw]

Junk pre1973only😊