Ford Racing Unveils R125 Mustang Tribute
Ford Racing marks its 125th anniversary with a 1966 Mustang fastback built around a 347-cubic-inch V-8 crate engine.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Motorsports
Ford Racing revealed the R125, a 1966 Mustang fastback built around a 347-cubic-inch V-8 crate engine, to mark 125 years since Henry Ford's 1901 race win. The car is tied to the company's motorsports heritage, which traces back to a 10-mile race at the Grosse Pointe Race Track in Michigan.
Why it matters
The anniversary spotlights Ford Racing's long link between its early competition history and modern performance vehicles. The project shows how a classic model can be updated with a modern crate engine and drivetrain.
The R125's stroker engine is rated at 360 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and runs through a Tremec TKX-600 five-speed manual transmission. The build required no major chassis modifications beyond slight floorpan tweaking, and pricing and production details were not disclosed.
The players
Ford Racing
Ford Racing is the motorsports division of Ford Motor Company, responsible for performance parts and competition programs.
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was the founder of Ford Motor Company, who won an early 1901 race in the Sweepstakes car.
Alexander Winton
Alexander Winton was an early automobile manufacturer and racer who led Henry Ford's 1901 race until mechanical trouble slowed his car.
The details
The R125 uses an engine based on an 8.2-inch-deck Boss 302 block, with aluminum cylinder heads and Edelbrock Pro-Flo electronic fuel injection. The car also features gold five-spoke wheels and chrome bumpers, honoring the lineage that began with Henry Ford's 1901 Sweepstakes race car.
Timeline
October 10, 1901: Henry Ford wins a 10-mile race at Grosse Pointe, trailing Alexander Winton until lap 8.
1902: Henry Ford leaves the Henry Ford Company.
1903: Ford Motor Company is founded.
November 3, 2026: Ford Racing announces the R125 for its 125th anniversary.
Roadmap
The R125 ties Ford's motorsports identity to its founding moment at Grosse Pointe in 1901, when Henry Ford won a 10-mile race. The project shows how the company's racing heritage continues through modern crate-engine performance builds.
Fans of classic Mustangs and Ford performance builds now have a new 1966-based option with 360 horsepower to track. Enthusiasts interested in the car can follow Ford Racing for future pricing and availability details.
The takeaway
The R125 shows how a classic Mustang can be modernized with a crate engine and five-speed drivetrain while keeping its historical roots. Readers interested in performance builds can use it as a reference for how legacy platforms are updated.
Further reading
Explore more Motorsports coverage for context on how Ford's racing heritage fits into the broader industry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MotorTrend.
