What are the overall dimensions of the mid-ship Mustang concept?

Per Table 1: wheelbase 90.0 in., overall length 154.3 in., width 61.0 in., height 39.4 in., front tread 48.0 in., rear tread 49.0 in., minimum ground clearance 4.8 in., turning circle 30.0 ft.

What engines were considered for the Mustang concept's driveline?

Two power packs from Ford's high-volume lines: the English Ford 4-cylinder in-line engine with conventional 4-speed transmission, and the German 12M (Cardinal) V-4 engine with FWD 4-speed transaxle. Both had capacity potential over 1500 cc (about 92 cubic inches).

Why was the mid-ship engine layout chosen over the conventional layout?

The mid-ship arrangement allowed a cleaner, low-drag front end, improved weight distribution for a two-seater, was easily adaptable to independent rear suspension, and avoided exhaust routing problems of a low package. It followed layouts proven in Formula I and small racing sports cars.

How was the prototype's frame and body constructed?

A welded space frame of 1" diameter, .064" thick round 4130 steel tubes, with a hand-formed .060" aluminum one-piece body skin blind-riveted to the frame as semi-unitized construction. The roll bar was built into the space frame.

How did the fixed-seat design accommodate different drivers?

An adjustable pedal mechanism was developed: clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals mount on a stamped member moved as a unit, with four inches of travel adjusted manually by a notched, twist, push-and-pull hand control.

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Ford Mustang I Concept & Design - Mid-Engine Prototype Specs, Frame & Driveline

Book pages on concept and design with vehicle package and frame illustrations and specification table

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Manual page on vehicle concept and design with package layout drawings, frame illustration, and a general specifications table.

AI caption August 2020 · Photo 248 of 274

This two-page spread, titled "Concept and Design," is from an engineering paper describing the original Ford Mustang two-seat sports car concept (the mid-engine Mustang I prototype). It explains the initial design goals — category, roadability, performance, comfort, appearance — and states the car meets F.I.A. and S.C.C.A. regulations and targets the 1.5-liter class. The Driveline Selection section compares the English Ford in-line 4-cylinder with conventional 4-speed transmission versus the German 12M (Cardinal) V-4 with FWD transaxle, and explains why a rear-drive mid-ship engine layout was chosen. Figure 1 compares conventional (149.6 in. overall, 80.5 in. wheelbase) and midship (154.3 in. overall, 90.0 in. wheelbase) packages with front/rear weight distribution percentages under various load conditions. Table 1 lists full vehicle specifications: 90.0 in. wheelbase, 48/49 in. front/rear tread, 154.3 x 61.0 x 39.4 in. overall dimensions, ground clearance 4.8 in., and 30 ft. turning circle. The Body and Frame section details the welded space frame of 1-inch, .064-inch-wall 4130 steel tubing, hand-formed .060-inch aluminum body skin, integral roll bar, seats built into the body skin, and an adjustable pedal assembly with four inches of travel. Figures 2 and 3 show the vehicle package cutaway and the tubular frame.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the overall dimensions of the mid-ship Mustang concept?: Per Table 1: wheelbase 90.0 in., overall length 154.3 in., width 61.0 in., height 39.4 in., front tread 48.0 in., rear tread 49.0 in., minimum ground clearance 4.8 in., turning circle 30.0 ft.
What engines were considered for the Mustang concept's driveline?: Two power packs from Ford's high-volume lines: the English Ford 4-cylinder in-line engine with conventional 4-speed transmission, and the German 12M (Cardinal) V-4 engine with FWD 4-speed transaxle. Both had capacity potential over 1500 cc (about 92 cubic inches).
Why was the mid-ship engine layout chosen over the conventional layout?: The mid-ship arrangement allowed a cleaner, low-drag front end, improved weight distribution for a two-seater, was easily adaptable to independent rear suspension, and avoided exhaust routing problems of a low package. It followed layouts proven in Formula I and small racing sports cars.
How was the prototype's frame and body constructed?: A welded space frame of 1" diameter, .064" thick round 4130 steel tubes, with a hand-formed .060" aluminum one-piece body skin blind-riveted to the frame as semi-unitized construction. The roll bar was built into the space frame.
How did the fixed-seat design accommodate different drivers?: An adjustable pedal mechanism was developed: clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals mount on a stamped member moved as a unit, with four inches of travel adjusted manually by a notched, twist, push-and-pull hand control.