#mid engined

[grandmascarpics]

From grandma

[rootbeercarguy]

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Honda TN-Acty Big Cab, 1982. A face-lifted version of the first generation Acty truck with a cab extended by 100mm (note the small window in the C-pillar).

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

The Forgotten Mach 2: Ford's 1967 Mid-Engined Mustang Prototype

The Forgotten Mach 2: Ford's 1967 Mid-Engined Mustang Prototype

In the Swinging Sixties, Ford's promotional photo featured a stylish couple beaming with joy as they prepared to take a ride in the Mach 2, essentially a mid-engined Mustang. This sleek, closed coupe boasted a 289 V8 engine, ZF 4-speed transaxle, and amenities like a radio and heater.

"Wait a minute", you may be thinking, if you're old enough to remember the Sixties, or if you've been reading this blog for awhile. "Wasn't there a mid-engined Mustang before there was any other kind?" Well, yeah, there was a drivable concept car based on the front-drive German Ford Taunus V4 powertrain, the Mustang 1*, but that was in 1962, and the roofless projectile seemed to be aimed mostly at SCCA racers ...

The Mach 2's story began in 1966, when Ford's Total Performance program aimed to infuse the GT40's mid-engined glamour into a production car. A Mustang convertible chassis was transformed into a concept chassis by Kar Kraft, incorporating Mustang front suspension, front disc brakes, and Galaxy rear drums. The independent rear suspension was borrowed from engineer Klaus Arning's patented multi-link design for Mustang 1.

Two running prototypes were built, with fiberglass bodies styled by Gene Bordinat's team. The first, a white car intended as an SCCA-ready weekend racer, suffered from chassis flex, while the second, a red example, had a reinforced chassis. The red Mach 2 was showcased at auto shows and featured in car magazines.

With a 107-inch wheelbase, similar to the new Corvette C8, and a weight of around 2,600 pounds, the Mach 2's performance was lively. Ford envisioned pricing it around $7,500, slightly above the Shelby AC 427 Cobra.

However, the Mach 2 program was ultimately scrapped. Ford's success with the Mustang and Shelby's modified versions meant that the Mach 2 was relegated to the sidelines. The white test car was crushed, and the red prototype was returned to Kar Kraft, disappearing from public view.

Rumors of the red Mach 2's fate have persisted, with some speculating that it may still be hidden away, waiting to be rediscovered. The possibility of finding this forgotten prototype has captivated car enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into an alternate history of American automotive innovation.

1967 Ford Mach 2

1967 Ford Mach 2

1967 Ford Mach 2

1967 Ford Mach 2

The 1967 Ford Mach 2 was a mid-engine sports car concept that was never mass produced. It was a two-seater with a GT style, low-sloping hood and front fenders, with a body made of fiberglass. Ford built the first one which was based on a shortened version of the 1966 Mustang convertible floor pan. Two more were built by Kar Kraft based on 1967 Mustangs and powered by a 289ci high performance engine mounted in the middle of the car. It had a five-speed manual transmission, independent rear suspension, and adjustable pedals derived from the 1962 Mustang-I.

Two fully functional prototypes were built:

• Red prototype: The production car candidate, with a revised engine cradle, adjustable Koni shocks, and a redesigned front end

•White prototype: A development mule for racing, with a modified 289, competition-spec components, and a lighter fiberglass body.

The Mach 2 was extensively tested, but the results were not encouraging. The road car handled well, but generated too much body roll at high speeds. The race car's chassis was not stiff enough, distorting under heavy loads. By the fall of 1967, Ford's designers had shifted their focus to the Mach 2A, and the three Mach 2 prototypes were left with Kar Kraft for disposal.

[pinacoladamatata]

Retail Rifts meetcute in the juice aisle.....

[goshyesvintageads]

Western Electric Co, 1953

[sketchy--akechi]

we'll figure something out

[demoralised]

V12 Volkswagen bay window bus

[jevilowo]

ODDLY SPECIFIC ENGIE HEADCANON

As a wee egg-yet-to-crack child, Engie was hideously socially inept. This comes with autism being a Conagher Family Heirloom™ (someone said that in a reblog once and it has lived in my mind since).

Alas, being socially inept and a "girl" in early 1930s small-town Texas was Not It, and so every evening for a year Engie's mother sat down with him for a couple hours to go through Social Ettequite, even though he would really rather have spent the time tinkering in Fred's workshop.

This had the opposite effect as intended. To this day, Engie is the image of a Polite Southern Man to a genuinely creepy extent. Every polite smile of his is the smile of a barely restrained madman, and his eyes... you've probably seen the "meet the engineer without goggles" video. Every handshake and kind word comes across as carefully calculated (because they are) and almost uncanny valley.

And of course theres the fact that no amount of social conditioning can disguise the fact he's deranged, which is the other Conagher Family Heirloom™ .

[smilesrobotlover]

Groose and Alfonzo would get along great

[admiralgiggles]

With this year’s balloon festival being cancelled, I have a huge void to fill. Suggested to me by a little warbirdie (🤭), we decided to take a road trip to Reading, and check out World War II Weekend at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum.

[rootbeercarguy]

[radracer]

1994 Ford Transit Supervan 3 Cosworth 3.5 650hp

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Honda Acty Street L & 4WD, 1982. The Street was the passenger version of Honda's cab-over kei van. "Acty" is short for "Activity". The engine was fitted amidships, behind the front axle. The Street version survived through 3 generation and was discontinued in 2009

[railwaysparrow]

"I heard Manager say we had another bad season" Falcon said quietly.

"We have had worse" Duke grunted.

"He said it could end us!" Falcon insisted.

"Pah! His Grace would never allow it! Focus on your work & it will all come alright" Duke reassured him but he wasn't sure...

[brbgensokyo]

the more i read about the construction and deliberate engineering of celebrity the more it becomes painfully transparent how cynical the idol business is