What If - When the 1965 Mustang hit the market and set unprecedented sales records, Ford was already envisioning the future, exploring design concepts that ranged from two-seaters to the possibility of a four-door model. However, while Ford was dreaming big, a more radical idea was brewing across the Atlantic in England.
The 1965 Ford Mustang that benefited from the
Ferguson all-wheel-drive system and received early ABS brake system, sat on display at the Tampa Bay Auto Museum. (Picture from: Wikimedia)
This idea wasn't just about redesigning a car; it was about completely rethinking how a car should perform on the road. The concept came from Ferguson Research, a company that was backed by Harry Ferguson, the man behind Massey Ferguson tractors. At the heart of this innovative company were two former race drivers, Fred Dixon and Tony Rolt.
The 1965 Ford Mustang that benefited from the
Ferguson all-wheel-drive system and received early ABS brake system, looked just like any other Mustang on the outside. (Picture from: Hagerty)
They were the masterminds behind a groundbreaking four-wheel-drive (4WD) system, designed specifically for passenger cars. But their innovation didn't stop there. They also adapted Dunlop’s Maxaret anti-skid braking system, initially developed for aircraft landing gear, for automotive use. This adaptation laid the foundation for what we know today as the ABS system.
The 4WD system developed by Ferguson and installed in the 1965 Ford Mustang was a full-time system, meaning power was continuously sent to all four wheels. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Their 4WD system, known as the Ferguson Formula, wasn’t just an idea on paper. It was put to the test in 1961 with the Ferguson P99 Formula One racecar. With Stirling Moss at the wheel, the car won the Oulton Park race, proving the effectiveness of the technology. Despite this success, Ferguson Research wasn’t content with just proving their system on the track. They wanted to see it adopted by car manufacturers around the world. Ford, always on the lookout for the next big thing, took notice.
The Ferguson P99 4WD Formula 1 racing car led legendary driver Stirling Moss to victory in the non-championship Formula One Gold Cup at Oulton Park in 1961. (Picture from: FergusonClub)
In December 1964, Ford sent two identical blue Mustangs, both equipped with the A-code 289-cid V-8 engine and automatic transmission, to Ferguson in England. The plan was simple: convert one of the Mustangs to 4WD while keeping the other one in its original state for comparison. This was no ordinary conversion. The 4WD system developed by Ferguson was full-time, meaning that power was sent to all four wheels at all times. Clutches within the system allowed the car to turn smoothly, ensuring that the Mustang could handle all kinds of driving conditions with superior traction.
The
Ferguson P99 4WD Formula 1 racing car with Stirling Moss at the wheel, testing at British Grand Prix 1961. (Picture from: FergusonClub)
The Ferguson Formula system utilized a planetary center differential, which provided a 37:63 front-to-rear torque split. This clever design allowed the front and rear wheels to turn at different speeds, keeping the 4WD system engaged at all times. To accommodate this sophisticated system, the Mustang needed some modifications, including a change from coil springs to torsion bars in the front suspension.
Interior view of the 1965 Ford Mustang that benefited from the
Ferguson all-wheel-drive system and received early ABS brake system.. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Despite these changes, the Mustang looked just like any other Mustang on the outside. But when it came to handling, it was a different story. Tests at the time reported that the 4WD Mustang performed exceptionally well, especially on slippery surfaces where it outshined its two-wheel-drive counterparts. The Maxaret anti-skid braking system, although purely mechanical and not as advanced asthe electronic ABS systems that came later, played a key role in improving the car's safety and performance.
The Ferguson 4WD system installed in the 1965 Ford Mustang utilized a planetary center differential, which provided a 37:63 front-to-rear torque split.(Picture from: BringATrailer)
If this all sounds familiar, it’s because the same Ferguson Formula 4WD system later found its way into the world’s first production car with full-time 4WD: the 1966 Jensen FF. This model was an offshoot of the Jensen Interceptor luxury coupe, and the “FF” in its name stood for Ferguson Formula, a nod to the innovative technology that powered it.
The 1965 Ford Mustang was equipped with Ferguson's 4WD system, powered by an A-code 289-cid V-8 engine and an automatic transmission.(Picture from: BringATrailer)
Ford's reaction to the 4WD Mustang's performance is not fully known, but the likely reason it never made it to production was cost. Adding the 4WD system would have likely increased the price by over $500—a significant amount at the time. For context, the Mustang's most expensive engine option, the K-code high-performance 289-cid V-8, was priced at $328 and was rarely ordered. The cost likely made the 4WD option an impractical choice for mass production.
The Jensen FF, where "FF" stands for "Ferguson Formula," was the first production car to adopt the Ferguson Formula 4WD system and was produced between 1966 and 1971. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
After its brief moment in the spotlight, the 4WD Mustang prototype returned to the United Kingdom and was stored in Ferguson’s museum on the Isle of Wight until 2007. It then changed hands and found a new home at the Tampa Bay Auto Museumin 2009, where it remains a working piece of automotive history. The museum, owned by Alain Cerf, celebrates innovation in automotive design and technology. Cerf, who also runs Polypack, Inc., a company that manufactures high-tech packaging machinery, has a deep appreciation for technological advancements.
Rear three-quarter view of the 1965 Ford Mustang that benefited from the Ferguson all-wheel-drive system and received early ABS brake system. (Picture from: Wikimedia)
Among the other innovative vehicles in the Tampa Bay Auto Museum is one of the 22 English Ford Zephyr sedans that Ferguson Research converted to 4WD for testing by British police forces in the late 1960s. This collection, including the unique 4WD Mustang, stands as a testament to the forward-thinking minds that dared to push the boundaries of automotive engineering. | 3iC9eHF1Hck |
In a world where the Mustang is celebrated for its iconic design and performance, it’s fascinating to think about what could have been if Ford had chosen to embrace Ferguson’s vision. The 4WD Mustang, although never mass-produced, remains a symbol of innovation and the relentless pursuit of better performance, even if that pursuit sometimes takes us down roads less traveled. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERGUSONCLUB | TAMPA BAY AUTO MUSEUM | MUSTANGSPECS | HAGERTY | BRINGATRAILER | MOTORAUTHORITY ]
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This idea wasn't just about redesigning a car; it was about completely rethinking how a car should perform on the road. The concept came from Ferguson Research, a company that was backed by Harry Ferguson, the man behind Massey Ferguson tractors. At the heart of this innovative company were two former race drivers, Fred Dixon and Tony Rolt. 
They were the masterminds behind a groundbreaking four-wheel-drive (4WD) system, designed specifically for passenger cars. But their innovation didn't stop there. They also adapted Dunlop’s Maxaret anti-skid braking system, initially developed for aircraft landing gear, for automotive use. This adaptation laid the foundation for what we know today as the ABS system.
In December 1964, Ford sent two identical blue Mustangs, both equipped with the A-code 289-cid V-8 engine and automatic transmission, to Ferguson in England. The plan was simple: convert one of the Mustangs to 4WD while keeping the other one in its original state for comparison. This was no ordinary conversion. The 4WD system developed by Ferguson was full-time, meaning that power was sent to all four wheels at all times. Clutches within the system allowed the car to turn smoothly, ensuring that the Mustang could handle all kinds of driving conditions with superior traction.
In a world where the Mustang is celebrated for its iconic design and performance, it’s fascinating to think about what could have been if Ford had chosen to embrace Ferguson’s vision. The 4WD Mustang, although never mass-produced, remains a symbol of innovation and the relentless pursuit of better performance, even if that pursuit sometimes takes us down roads less traveled. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERGUSONCLUB | TAMPA BAY AUTO MUSEUM | MUSTANGSPECS | HAGERTY | BRINGATRAILER | MOTORAUTHORITY ]
