Ford is well-known for the iconic Mustang and its place in muscle car history. But beyond the Mustang, Ford has produced many other remarkable vehicles that aren’t as famous. This article highlights some of Ford’s lesser-known but equally impressive cars, including rare race cars and bold concept vehicles.
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1970 Ford Torino King Cobra
Only three were ever made. The Torino King Cobra was intended for NASCAR but never actually raced. It featured a sleek aerodynamic front-end design and came with a 429 Boss engine.
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake
With just one ever made, the Super Snake is possibly the rarest Mustang. This unique car was fitted with a GT40 racing engine, enabling it to achieve a top speed of 170 mph.
1964 Ford GT40 Prototype
The GT40 was developed to beat Ferrari at the Le Mans 24-hour race. The prototype models are exceptionally rare, with only a handful made for testing and development. Ford’s efforts were successful, and the GT40 won Le Mans four times in a row from 1966 to 1969. (Note that the 1966 GT40 Le Mans winner is pictured above).
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
Built for homologation purposes so Ford could race in NASCAR, the Boss 429 is among the rarest and most sought-after Mustangs. With a production run of just 1,358 units, its big-block engine was underrated at 375 hp.
2005-2006 Ford GT
Paying homage to the GT40, the 2005-2006 Ford GT was a supercar with a limited production run. Only 4,038 units were produced. It was powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8, producing 550 hp.
1980s Ford RS200
Built for Group B rally, Ford produced only 200 units of the RS200 for homologation purposes. It boasted a mid-engine layout with a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine with over 250 hp.
1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
While not purely a Ford product, this Shelby was powered by a Ford engine. Only six were produced. It was designed to be more aerodynamic than the Cobra roadster, helping Shelby win the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
1971 Ford Thunderbird Four Door Landau
Only 6,770 units of this model were produced, making it a rare version of the Thunderbird. This unique car featured suicide doors and a 429 ThunderJet engine.
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
With only 100 units produced, this drag racing special is among the rarest Fords. It had a 427 V8 and lightweight fiberglass panels.
1973 Ford Granada Perana
Built by Basil Green Motors in South Africa, the Granada Perana was fitted with a Ford 302 Windsor V8, a stark difference from the standard Granada models. They are exceedingly rare and sought after.
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant “Alphabet Cars” (1903-1908)
Before the Model T, Ford produced a series of models named using letters of the alphabet. Some of these models had very limited runs, like the Model B, C, F, K, N, R, and S. Each of these played a role in Ford’s development leading up to the revolutionary Model T. (Note that a 1904 Ford Model C is pictured above).
Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III (1971)
The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III is one of Australia’s most legendary muscle cars. Built specifically for racing, it was powered by a 351 cubic inch Cleveland V8 engine producing around 300 hp. This car dominated local touring car championships and won the 1971 Bathurst 500. Only 300 units were made, making it extremely rare and highly valued, often selling for over AU$1 million at auctions due to its storied race history and limited production.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth (1992-1996)
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a high-performance version of the European Ford Escort. It was designed for rallying and featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing around 227 hp. With its distinctive whale-tail spoiler and all-wheel drive, the RS Cosworth was a favorite among car enthusiasts. Only about 7,000 were produced, making it a rare find today. Its blend of performance and iconic 90s rally car aesthetics has kept its demand high among collectors.
Ford Model 18 V8 (1932)
The Ford Model 18 was the first mass-produced car to feature a V8 engine, marking a significant innovation in automotive history. This model solidified Ford’s reputation for producing affordable yet powerful vehicles. The V8 engine allowed for an exceptional performance during its time, making it popular among both ordinary consumers and notorious gangsters of the 1930s. Today, its pioneering status and classic design make it a prized collector’s item.
Ford Capri RS 3100 (1974)
The Ford Capri RS 3100 was a limited production model created to homologate the entry of the Capri into European touring car racing. It featured a 3.1-liter V6 engine that produced 148 hp, a significant figure for its time. Only 250 units of this model were produced, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Capris today. Its racing pedigree and distinctive European styling contribute to its high value among collectors.
Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (1987)
This special edition of the Sierra RS Cosworth was enhanced to boost its performance in touring car championships. The RS500 featured an upgraded version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged Cosworth engine, producing approximately 224 hp. Ford manufactured just 500 units of the RS500, making it a rare specimen especially sought after for its racing heritage and its role in dominating British and European motorsports during the late 80s.
Ford LTD LX (1984-1985)
The LTD LX was a unique offering in the Ford lineup, equipped with the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8 engine in a more subdued, family-friendly sedan package. It featured better handling and performance than the standard LTD models but was only produced for two years with limited sales, making it a rare find. Its sleeper status and performance capabilities make it a hidden gem among Ford enthusiasts.
Ford Indigo Concept (1996)
The Ford Indigo was a concept vehicle that never reached production but was influential in its design and engineering. It featured a V12 engine developed from joining two Ford V6 engines, producing over 400 hp. The Indigo’s radical design and high-performance capabilities showcased Ford’s innovation and potential future directions in car technology, although only a couple of prototypes were ever built.
Ford X-100 Concept (1953)
The Ford X-100 was a futuristic concept car built in 1953 to test new technologies and design ideas. It featured electronic controls, a power-adjustable pedal assembly, and a unique, aerodynamic body. This concept was never intended for production, and only one prototype was made, making it one of the rarest examples of Ford’s experimental automotive projects.
Ford Galaxie 500XL “R-Code” (1963)
The Galaxie 500XL “R-Code” was equipped with a powerful 427 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 425 hp, making it one of the most potent full-size cars of its era. It was specifically built to compete in the NASCAR series. With fewer than 50 units produced, the “R-Code” Galaxie is a rare collector’s item known for its incredible power and classic 60s styling, embodying the peak of the muscle car era’s performance ethos.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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