1966 Ford Mustang R125 Honors 125 Years Of Racing Heritage
Ford Racing predates the creation of Ford Motor Company by two years thanks to Henry Ford's key motorsports victory in 1901
Ford chief executive Jim Farley has spearheaded the American brand's recommitment to motorsport since being appointed chief executive in 2020. Last year, he rebranded Ford Performance as Ford Racing and has been instrumental in the brand's return to Formula 1 and its forthcoming LMDh prototype for next year's FIA World Endurance Championship. Racing has always been a strong part of Ford's history, and this very special 1966 Mustang commemorates that.
The Mustang R125 is currently on display at SEMA and has debuted 125 years after company founder Henry Ford first became involved in motorsports. In 1901, he built and raced his own car, claiming a victory that helped him secure the financial investments needed to create the Ford Motor Company. According to Ford, "racing is in our DNA," and this is exactly what the Mustang R125 is all about.
The classic pony car has been restored and modified using Ford Racing Parts. It avoids the trap of chasing hypercar-level power, as so many modern restomods do, and instead builds on the original Mustang's legacy with updated components and a refreshed exterior.
This Mustang isn't just about good looks
The 1966 Mustang R125 is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8, which includes Edelbrock Pro-Flo electronic fuel injection, a Ford Racing Boss block, and aluminum cylinder heads. This crate engine is rated at 360 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and it is paired with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Ford Racing added two-piece valve covers and integrated spark plug wire looms, making the engine easy to service.
In a sea of overly customized Mustang restomods, it's hard to find any faults in the design of this commemorative Mustang. The car has been sprayed in a simple shade of black, then adorned with a gold-and-red, motorsport-inspired livery. A bright red stripe runs across the rear of the car, with a bumper and gold Ford Racing lettering, while gold roundels with an "R125 Ford Racing" logo are applied on the doors. A set of gold wheels perfectly complements these painted-gold exterior accents and adds to that awesome retro vibe.
Curiously, Ford hasn't released detailed photos of the Mustang R125's interior. One image shows it includes a subtle gold roll cage and a brown leather suitcase where the rear seats would ordinarily sit.
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