Kar-Kraft was instrumental in the development and assembly of the GT40 Mk IV , the only version of the GT40 designed and built entirely in the United States. This car famously won Le Mans in 1967.
KarKraft (frequently written as ) was Ford’s secret weapon during the 1960s—a dedicated performance shop that functioned as an outside engineering arm to bypass corporate bureaucracy. While it was technically a separate entity, it was funded by Ford to build their most extreme racing and homologation machines.
While officially rated at 375 hp for insurance reasons, the engines were known to produce closer to 500+ hp when properly tuned. KarKraft
This is Kar-Kraft’s most famous street-legal achievement. Ford needed to homologate its massive 429 cubic inch V8 for NASCAR, but the engine was too wide for the standard Mustang body.
Unlike mass-produced Fords, Kar-Kraft vehicles were essentially hand-built . This resulted in high labor intensity and superior performance hardware, though some period reviewers noted they were "sledgehammers" rather than "ballerinas"—brutally honest and loud machines. Kar-Kraft was instrumental in the development and assembly
The shop was abruptly closed in late 1970 as Ford shifted its priorities away from racing, but its impact on muscle car culture persists. Today, Boss 429s are among the most valuable Fords in existence, often selling for $300,000 to $600,000+ at auction. Current Continuation
A radical mid-engine Mustang prototype meant to challenge European sports cars. It featured a 289 Hi-Po V8 mounted behind the driver and a lightweight fiberglass body. Though it never reached production, it remains a "holy grail" for Ford historians. The "Kar-Kraft" Experience While it was technically a separate entity, it
Below is a review of Kar-Kraft’s legacy, engineering impact, and most notable projects.