By Daniel DeGasperi | MOTOR

Homage to original 1960s Mustang raced by Aussie Allan Moffat announced

Local racing legend Allan Moffat has officially backed a Ford Mustang special designed as a tribute to his race-winning steers in the first-generation Boss 302 in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mustang Motorsport – the Melbourne-based right-hand-drive conversion company that is now the distributor of Roush and Shelby modifications for the two-door pony car – has tagged the special the Allan Moffat Edition Mustang, aiming to give the latest model the look of the original racecar.

Canadian-born but Australian-raised Moffat steered original Mustang racers for Carroll Shelby in the US in the mid-1960s, before returning home to regularly conquer Australian Touring Car Championships in an unmistakeable, bright red Boss 302 Mustang.

“The new Allan Moffat Edition Mustang has been created to honour not only the legendary appearance of Allan’s famous 1969 Trans Am Mustang, but also its incredible performance,” Mustang Motorsport said about the edition, before explaining its links and significance.

“In 1969, Allan Moffat unleashed his Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang on Australian racetracks. The awesome beast was one of only seven cars designed and built by Ford’s Kar Kraft racing division in Michigan, and was the closest thing you could get to a purpose-built racecar in a production bodyshell.

“Over six years, Moffat took it to 101 victories from 151 starts, ensuring its place in history as one of the most desirable touring cars ever to hit Australian racetracks.”

The new Mustang is also finished in bright red with the package adding C-shaped black striping with Boss 302 badging and white Allan Moffat Racing applique across the front guards, all of which closely mirrors the original.

A high-flow front grille with unique fascia and functional splitter, bonnet with heat extractors, high-deck rear wing and 20-inch forged alloy wheels (with 265mm-wide front and 305mm rear tyres) round out the exterior modifications, while inside Allan Moffat signature embroidery adorns the headrests and doors. Moffat race numbers, meanwhile, are optional.

Engineering modifications for the 306kW 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine in the Mustang GT include a 3.0-inch stainless steel exhaust system with header and high-flow cat changes, and a ‘GT350’ specification intake and 87mm throttle body.

However a duo of supercharger upgrades are further available, respectively rated at 650hp (485kW) and 750hp (560kW) in line with Mustang Motorsport’s previously announced Shelby and Roush packages.

Other additions to the Allan Moffat Edition Mustang include a short-throw shifter kit for manual models (autos are also available), adjustable coilovers in Race or Street tune, billet aluminium links for the independent rear suspension, unique rear subframe bushing braces and alignment, adjustable front and rear sway bars, toe links and camber arms, and front and rear slotted brake rotors – while Brembos with performance pads are optional.

Mustang Motorsport has priced the three options packages at $59,990 base, $68,364.87 for the 485kW Roush supercharger kit and $70,589.87 for the 522kW Whipple version, all of which are addition to the $55K-plus pricetag of the latest Ford V8 coupe.

Other optional equipment includes a Brembo brake package for $15,000 and a full interior leather re-trim for $3350. For the full list of specifications and prices contact Mustang Motorsport.