The LEGENDARY Mustang That NEVER Hit Production!

The LEGENDARY Mustang That NEVER Hit Production!

The Ford Mustang McLaren M81 is one of the rarest and most unique Mustangs ever built. Born in the early 1980s, this special edition Mustang was created through a partnership between Ford and McLaren Engines. At a time when fuel prices were rising and performance cars were changing, Ford wanted to show that a turbocharged four-cylinder engine could still be exciting. The result was a high-performance Mustang that combined racing technology with street-friendly features. However, despite its impressive engineering, the M81 never made it to mass production, making it a rare and mysterious piece of automotive history.

Instead of the usual V8, the M81 featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four engine. Originally producing 132 horsepower, McLaren engineers tuned it to deliver 175 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The car also had an adjustable turbo boost system, allowing drivers to change the pressure from 5 to 11 psi. This made the Mustang McLaren M81 one of the most advanced Mustangs of its time. The body was also heavily modified, with wide fender flares, brake cooling ducts, and a large hood scoop. These changes not only gave the car a unique look but also improved performance.

Inside, the M81 was designed for both racing and comfort. It came with Recaro bucket seats, a bolt-in roll bar, and Stewart Warner gauges to monitor performance. A leather-wrapped 14-inch steering wheel provided a sporty feel, while air conditioning made the car practical for daily driving. Ford also upgraded the suspension, using parts from its police-package Fairmont. The M81 featured adjustable Koni shocks, heavy-duty sway bars, and a reinforced chassis, making it a true performance machine.

Despite Ford’s plans to build 250 units, only 10 prototypes were ever completed. Most were painted in Bittersweet Orange, a color inspired by McLaren’s racing heritage. Others were painted in dark blue, black, or white. The M81 even competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race, proving its racing potential.

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