Ivan Vicario Martin
Throughout its long history, the Ford Mustang with a plethora of versions distributed in five generations. Besides, the best-selling sports car in history reaches 60 years of age this year, having appeared on the American market in mid-1964. On this occasion, we have decided to look at one of the least known competition variants, the Ford Mustang GTP designed to dispute the IMSA championship.
The GTP -Grand Touring Prototype- were basically identical to FISA Group C, although they evolved into a different category. They were therefore authentic sports prototypes and They were in force between 1981 and 1993. That is, almost the same time as Group C, whose World Championship was last played in 1992. The main difference between both championships was that the IMSA He never showed the slightest concern for consumption or efficiency.
Ford participated with the Zakspeed Mustang Turbo based on the second generation of the model and framed in the GTX category. When this became outdated in 1983, it became clear that a new model had to be developed with which to continue competing. Furthermore, it made no sense to participate with a car that was no longer being sold, since The third generation of the Mustang had been presented in 1979. The cards were cast.
THE FORD MUSTANG GTP IS BORN
Since the base, or at least part of it, would be the Mustang third generation, the car's engine was in the front, something very uncommon when we talk about sports prototypes. The chosen engine was the Ford BDA derived from the Lima, with a displacement of 2,1 liters and which delivered no less than 600 hp power, thanks to a 16-valve cylinder head. For the five-speed manual gearbox, specialist Hewland was used.
The person responsible for designing the prototype was Bob Riley, who created a carbon fiber and Nomex chassis, with Kevlar in some areas. That is, the maximum rigidity associated with a minimum weight was sought, which, in fact, It was left at just 803 kilograms. The manufacturing of the mime was entrusted to Roush and Protofab, in collaboration with the Ford Aerospace Western Development Labs. Of course, aerodynamically, the Ford Mustang GTP was designed thinking about making the most of the ground effect, taking advantage of the fact that a huge diffuser could be used. The relationship weight/power was 1,33 kg/CV, like that of a Formula 1.
The result was an authentic prototype in which It is very difficult to recognize any feature of the Mustang of production. The front engine gives it a huge nose, behind which the car widens until it reaches a rear crowned with a huge spoiler. Internally the car received the nickname “Batmobile”. Only three units were manufactured and put into the hands of Ford's regular partner, the team Team Zakspeed USA.
VICTORIOUS DEBUT… AND NOW
Klaus Ludwig was in charge of testing the car at the Moroso Motorsport Park circuit in Florida (USA), with very promising results. August 21, 1983 The Ford Mustang GTP debuted with victory at the Road Atlanta circuit piloted by Tim Coconis and Klaus Ludwig. In any case, it was a misleading victory, since it was a race marked by rain and with almost no rivals in the GTP class. Besides, The BDA turbo 1.7 engine was used, since the final one was not ready until 1984.
Unfortunately for the project, Neither the car was as fast as promised nor was the reliability up to par.. The chassis and engine were excessively fragile, which doomed the team, as it would not obtain another victory even in 1983 and 1984. In fact, they abandoned in 11 of the 14 races they competed. Ludwig managed to place 5th in the 1984 Grand Prix of Sonoma, a position he repeated at the end of the year in Daytona, accompanied by Tom Glory.
The Ford Mustang GTP did not race again and the problematic project was cancelled, although along the way it left us one of the most spectacular Mustangs in history. A few years ago, an unknown video surfaced of the car competing in that first and victorious race at Road Atlanta. In it we can enjoy the spectacular prototype in action, with flames coming out of the exhaust included. What a shame his failure was equally spectacular.
