Super Mustang is the name given to a Ford streamliner slingshot dragster project.Taylor, Thom. "Super Mustang", in "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone", p.36.
The project was begun by Ford's Styling Department in winter 1966,Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) before the debut of the Cobra Jet the next year;Taylor, p.36. the project was then turned over to Special Vehicles.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
Designed by the team responsible for the Mustang,Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) it used a Logghe Bros. chassis and a fuel injected SOHC 427 Ford, prepared by Ed Pink,Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) Connie Kalitta and Tom Marsh, mated to an automatic transmission.Taylor, p.36. The front axle mounted the usual bicycle wheels, while the rearend was a modified Jaguar IRSTaylor, p.36. (when most dragsters used a solid-mounted axleBurgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)) with limited-slip differential, plus coilover shocks and an anti-sway bar, along with the usual ladder bars.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) The body was a sleek wedge, designed by Ford Design Center and refined in Ford's wind tunnel,Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) which enclosing the engine (except for the blower scoop), cockpit (which had a large canopy, but was "incredibly cramped"Taylor, p.36.), and rear tires.Taylor, p.36 photo. It was designed by Ford and tested in a wind tunnel.Taylor, p.36. The -wheelbase chassis was completed in December 1966 and bodied in California.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
Driven by Tom McEwen, the car debuted at the 1967 Winternats, where, in one pass, it lost its canopy.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) Its best pass of the meet was an 8.60 at .Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018) Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
Super Mustang never exceeded mid-8s at , when contemporary conventional fuellers were turning in low-seven second passes at .Taylor, p.36.
The car's problems were never successfully solved, and after six months, it was parked.Taylor, p.36. Though a poor race performer, the car was popular as a show vehicle.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
The car was sold to Don and Joan Lyons of Dowagiac, Michigan, in 2003; they restored the car, and auctioned it off in 2009 for US$154,000.Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
Notes
Sources Taylor, Thom. "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone" in Hot Rod, April 2017, pp. 30–43.