As Ford celebrates the 10 millionth Ford Mustang rolling off the production line we’ve scoured the archives to bring you some of the most significant concept versions of the iconic sports car.

No turbocharger, no all-wheel drive and ‘only’ a 1.7-litre engine, yet the Ford Racing Puma has become something of a cult car amongst performance Ford enthusiasts.



Limited to just 500 cars, the wider arched, 153bhp Racing Puma received rave reviews upon launch, but it came at a price. Considerably more expensive than a standard Ford Puma, only diehard enthusiasts took the plunge. Rumour has it that many of the Ford chassis engineers were keen on buying one for themselves as they rated the chassis so highly.

Ford’s heritage collection model, V1 FRP, is number 1/500 and was used in San Francisco on the media drives to launch the vehicle… echoing the Bullitt-themed TV commercial for the Ford Puma that was aired a few years earlier.

How many of those other 499 still exist though?

This year's Festival of Speed felt like an absolute corker; more people, more cars and much more sunshine.

Ford announced beforehand that the original Mustang BULLITT would be there so while down behind the start line on day one I shot some video to give you a taste of what it's like to be there with the cars.

Ford Performance, along with drifting champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. have teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind Eagle Squadron Mustang GT to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force for this year’s Experimental Aircraft Association’s The Gathering fund-raiser and auction on July 26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.



This year’s build is inspired by the Eagle Squadron, a group of U.S. volunteer pilots who flew combat missions alongside the Royal Air Force over Europe from British airfields near Goodwood prior to the United States entering World War II. Gittin, accompanied by Royal Air Force veteran Paul Miller, whose father “Dusty” served in Eagle Squadron in 1941 and 1942, will pilot the supercharged beast up the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb today, then the car will be on display at the Ford booth for this weekend’s event.

Darrell Behmer, Ford Mustang design chief

“Supporting young pilots through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fund-raising auction reflects Ford’s aviation history, tracing back to the company’s early days and the arsenal of democracy during World War II. The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT build with Vaughn and the Ford design team is a great way to honor our heroes and keep the spirit of aviation alive for the next generation of American pilots.”

2018 marks the 20th year Ford has supported the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture event and the 10th one-off Mustang it has provided for auction. Notable Ford models inspired by other aviation legends include the 2011 Blue Angels and 2013 Thunderbirds editions. All auction proceeds will be donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s youth education programs, which encourage and support the next generation of pilots. To date, Ford has worked with the organization to raise more than $3 million.

Visually stunning and unmistakably aggressive, the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT – painted in a camouflaged design to match the original Eagle Squadron Spitfire aircraft – features Gittin’s RTR Mustang carbon fiber wide-body kit, and includes front chin spoiler, upper grille with integrated lighting, and Gurney lip added to the Performance Pack rear spoiler. Front turning vanes, dive planes, rocker splitters and lower grille diffusers are also fitted.

Under the hood, a Ford Performance supercharger kit first introduced at the 2017 SEMA show helps the Ford 5.0-liter V8 churn out 700 horsepower and 610 lb.-ft. of torque at 12 psi of boost on 93-octane fuel. The engine is mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission with Ford Performance short shifter, with power delivered to the road via an upgraded heavy-duty rear axle also supplied by Ford Performance.



An RTR Tactical Performance Suspension Package – with in-car adjustable MagneRide dampers, Ford Performance lowering springs and RTR adjustable sway bars – increases grip and lateral acceleration. Staggered RTR Aero 7 two-piece forged wheels with 285/30-ZR20 front and 305/30-ZR20 rear Nitto NT555 tires help keep the beast firmly planted on terra firma.

A custom leather interior features Recaro racing seats with embroidered Eagle Squadron logo. A hand-engraved shift knob made from metal melted down from an F-35 Lightning carries over the Eagle Squadron logo, and a one-of-one hand-engraved badge made from genuine Spitfire aluminum adorns the dashboard.



Vaughn Gittin Jr.

“Beyond its menacing looks, this powerful and hungry beast mimics the brute force and maneuverability of an original Royal Air Force fighter jet. I really can’t wait to pilot it up the summit at Goodwood.”

Aside from becoming the owner of this one-off Eagle Squadron Mustang GT, the high bidder will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to Detroit in August to attend the 2018 Ford Woodward Dream Cruise and be presented with the car.

Jack Pelton, CEO and chairman, Experimental Aircraft Association, said Ford has once more come through to help the next generation of pilots find new pathways to flight.

“With this Royal Air Force-inspired Mustang GT, Ford has again stepped up with a wonderful tribute to the legacy of flight that will also greatly support EAA’s efforts to encourage the next generation of aviators.”

The Gathering is the annual fund-raising event hosted at the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Museum in support of the museum and youth aviation programs. To learn more about the Experimental Aircraft Association visit: EAA.org.

The 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in Warner Bros. Pictures’ classic film “Bullitt” – and lost to history until the beginning of this year – makes its first appearance outside of the U.S. at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The car that starred in the film’s legendary 10-minute chase sequence – setting the standard for every movie car chase to follow – features on the 1.16-mile Goodwood Hillclimb course accompanied by owner Sean Kiernan and alongside the new special edition Ford Mustang Bullitt that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the classic film.

Steven Armstrong, Ford Europe Middle East and Africa president

“Nothing captured the spirit and excitement of Mustang quite like that amazing car chase in ‘Bullitt’. We’ve been honoured to work with Sean and his family to bring an absolute icon of motoring history to Goodwood, where we know it will be appreciated by an audience that, like Steve McQueen, has petrol in its veins.”

Two identical 1968 Mustang GT fastbacks were used in the classic movie. After filming, the jump car was sent to a salvage yard, while the hero car, driven by Steve McQueen, was sold to a private buyer. Both were thought to have been lost until earlier this year, when Sean Kiernan contacted Ford to reveal that the hero vehicle had been in his family since 1974; Sean inherited the car in 2014 from his late father, Robert.

After resurfacing, the “Bullitt” Mustang quickly became one of the most expensive movie props of all time, with an estimated price tag on $3-4 million, but it’s not the first pricey film prop to have fallen off the radar, here are a few of the most recognisable.



Another very special Mustang is paying tribute at Goodwood to a group of U.S. volunteer pilots who flew combat missions alongside the Royal Air Force over Europe from nearby British airfields, prior to the U.S. entering World War II.



Driven up the Hillclimb by Vaughn Gittin Jr. – and co-created by Ford Performance and the world champion drifter’s RTR Vehicles – the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT features a one-off, fighter aircraft-inspired livery.



The ultra-high-performance Ford GT supercar returns to Goodwood piloted by Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team World Endurance Championship drivers Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell fresh from the Le Mans 24 Hours race – as does Gittin Jr.’s Mustang RTR drift car.
The M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC car makes its Goodwood debut on the Hillclimb and Forest Rally Stage, demonstrated by M-Sport Ford World Rally Team drivers Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans.

Original “Bullitt” current owner Sean Kiernan

“You know, it was never our intention to keep this car a secret from everybody. It just kind of happened with life. I’m just completely buzzing to join with Ford and the new Bullitt and show this car to the world on one of the biggest stages there is.”

It’s not every day that a classic Ford goes up for auction. Well, try more than 220, ranging from Model A’s and T’s to wood-panelled station wagons and vintage buses.

This breathtaking array of vehicles – recognised as the largest private collection of classic Fords in the world – formed the Den Hartogh Museum, a 50-year labour of love for Piet den Hartogh, in the Netherlands.

Piet’s love affair with Ford began after his father bought a Model T truck in 1924 and later, as an adult, he bought cars, buses and vans from all over the world – including a popcorn van, a police snowmobile and a truck that was fuelled by wood.

Sadly, Piet passed away in 2010, and the museum closed its doors to the public two years ago. Now the family have placed the whole collection under the hammer, in the belief that these treasured vehicles should find new homes where they can be as cherished as they have been at the museum near Amsterdam.

Pieter den Hartogh, Piet’s son:

“Without Dad, it’s just not the same. My father was a passionate man and he wanted to share this obsession with everyone. All of the cars were a big part of our lives.”  

The complete collection was auctioned by Bonhams on site in Hillegom on June 23. Every vehicle on offer was sold during the 10-hour sale, attracting bids from around the world. The combined total from the sale was a staggering €6,157,353 (approximately £5,409,000). The longest bidding exchange involved a 1905 Ford Model B Side Entrance Tonneau that sold for €419,750 (£368,700) – more than seven times its estimate and a world record price.

Rupert Banner, group motoring director from Bonhams and one of the auctioneers for the sale:

“We were bowled over by today’s result. A 100 per cent sold auction is a rare occurrence, especially one with such a vast quantity of lots. It was a pleasure to be able to find new owners for vehicles that had been treasured for so long."

It's not often you'll get all three generations of Ford's GT series together in one place, so even if you don't have a bank balance that might afford you purchase consideration for one of Ford's classic GTs this video from Kelley Blue Book is worth a watch.

Behind the wheel of a 2018 Ford GT, a 2005 GT, and a Superformance GT40 replica.

Long gone never forgotten. Chances of a passenger ride in a full rally set up Escort don't come around very often. If you get the chance you should jump at it: it'll definitely put a smile on your face as this video featuring passenger rides from Paul Swift Stunts shows.

A post shared by Charlie Lower (@charlielower1) on Apr 6, 2018 at 11:44am PDT

It’s the kind of automotive metal that enthusiasts end up dedicating their lives to and accountants get extremely happy or extremely sad about depending on whether their clients are buying or selling. Classic cars.



Excel was full of them for four days earlier this month as the greats of automotive history gathered and sparkled under the bright lights. From early Model Ts to the latest carbon clad supercars, it was all there.


Amongst the masses were some of Ford’s working class heroes like the Mk1 Capri – including a Perana V8 version from South Africa, created by a dealership using 3000XL shells and Mustang 5.0-litre engines and sold with three month warranties back in 1970 – and a Mk4 Escort XR3I convertible, going to auction with just 11,000 miles on the clock.

The RS Owner’s Club also had a stand, and while it might not be the most expensive car on show by some distance, the Mercury Grey Fiesta RS Turbo was possibly the most immaculate car in the entire hall.

Naturally, there were Ford’s from the company’s illustrious racing history out in force too, with a selection from Ford of Britain’s heritage collection including an RS200 and the 1953 Monte Carlo Rally winning Ford Zephyr. The latter two both had trips down the hall’s central parade so that admiring crowds could hear their heroes of yesteryear in action.



If you missed it this year, then try to get it in your calendar for 2019. There’s nothing quite like walking past a million euro piece of automotive exotica just so that you can get a closer look at a Sierra Cosworth…only to remember you probably can’t afford one of those either.

When is a barn find not really a barn find? When it's in a humble little garage. But who cares when the car in question is so fascinating.

Back in 2010 +Jonny Smith (aka: +Carpervert) discovered a totally preserved Mk1 Ford Escort 1300XL with less than 1000 miles on the clock. This is the footage of him dragging it out into the sunshine for the first time in decades, edited in a video to celebrate 50 years of the Escort (1968-2018).

This is possibly the most original survivor mk1 Escort in existence.

Sami Oezberk, a young Ford engineer, is the third generation from his family to work on Fiesta production at the Niehl plant in Cologne, Germany.

“My grandfather, father and I have all worked on the production line and we have all seen how the line has changed over the years. My grandfather started here in 1964, back then it was a different time. Most of the work was very hands on but, even then, changes were coming. By the time Fiesta production started here in 1979, the plant was much more automated.”

In this video Sami explains how the plant has evolved since the 1960s and how manufacturing techniques have improved over the years.

“My grandfather, my father and I all have our own story to tell. For me this is more than just a job, it is my family.”

Do you have your own Ford story? Let us know in the comments!

It could be the ultimate Christmas present for the petrol head in your life – a handmade watch, lovingly crafted from components that in a previous existence were used in classic Ford Mustangs.

The idea is the brainchild of Christian Mygh and Jonathan Kamstrup, who together scour salvage yards around the world for models, each of which can be transformed into hundreds of unique timepieces.



For the true Mustang enthusiast, REC Watches, based in Denmark, will even create an entirely new watch from parts donated by customers, including World Champion Drifter and professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin Jr., who wears a watch that includes carbon fibre bodywork from his 700-horsepower World Drift Series Ford Mustang RTR.

Christian Mygh - co-founder

“Most people would just see a pile of metal, a ghost of a Mustang. We see something completely different – the soul of a car and a story that needs to be told. I’m not cutting up Mustangs. I’m bringing Mustangs that are beyond repair back to life as a watch.”

To ensure these stories continue to be told, REC Watches painstakingly trace the history of each vehicle; talking to previous owners, collecting stories and images from the car’s past lives, and incorporating them into a bespoke video.



Each finished design incorporates the vehicle identification number, year of production and classic Mustang design cues. A power dial designed to look like a fuel gauge shows remaining battery life, and the hands, date, and dial numbers are all influenced by the iconic car’s dashboard. On one trip to Sweden, the team struck gold with a rare 1966 Raven Black model that has become the basis for their limited edition P51-04 collection of 250 watches.



Named after a World War II fighter plane and launched in 1964, Mustang’s radical styling and aggressive performance made it an instant classic. Its superstar status was cemented by a starring role in the 1968 action movie “Bullitt” with Steve McQueen, as well as a string of songs and films focused on, or incorporating the groundbreaking car.

+Ken Block's got a new motor .... Joining his 2017 Ford Focus RS, which has been decked out in fresh flat black clothes, is a new stablemate: a 1986 Ford RS200!!






The RS200 is Ken's favorite car of all time. There is 31 years of Ford RS heritage between the two daily drivers.

Watch the video!

Thirty five years ago Ford ran a well received advertising campaign featuring images by photographer Ryszard Horowitz.



To mark the success of that campaign +Ford Polska once again invited Polish born American photographer Ryszard Horowitz, who is recognized as a pioneer of special effects photography that predates digital imaging, to work on some images for Vignale. The image were subsequently featured in an exhibition alongside examples of the original artworks.


Watch the video for more details and coverage from the event!

Youtube channel +TheSmokingTire got to try out a Lotus Cortina Mk2. It's one of 4,000 original Lotus Cortina Mk2's produced between 1966 and 1970, in a partnership between +Ford Europe and Lotus.

The vehicle, transportation to Florida, and Lodging were provided by +John J Campion.


Article thumbnail credit: +Rafael Martin

See also the +Ford Europe Heritage collection here.

Ford Middle East recently hosted a "Mustang Live" event at the docks in Dubai for Mustang fans and clubs from across the region.



For the event Mustangs of all ages were brought together.

It was the most popular sporting model in Britain for most of its production life, and the 3.0 S version starred in the TV series The Professionals throughout the early 1980s, but the rise in popularity of "hot hatchbacks" ultimately knocked the much loved Ford Capri off the top spot.


Images and video here are from +Burak Kebapçı who tagged +Ford Europe on Instagram in this post, leading to the discovery of this mint example which we thought we'd share with you.



Have fond memories of the Capri? Share in the comments!

Some owners will tinker heavily with the cars that they own, adding their flair to the original designers vision.

This collector however, likes to keep things simple.

HHIC himself (aka +Ken Block) stops by the Donut Garage with his newest racecar project: a 1991 Ford Escort Cosworth rally car!

The video doesn't cover all versions of the Ford Mustang from 1964 to 2018, but does cover most of them and the audio is a nice touch.

If you are a Mustang fan you'll likely enjoy this video.  .... and this one too!