Kindig-It Design Installs Ferrari V12 in Mustang
A custom project in Salt Lake City aims to meld a classic Ford Mustang with a high-performance Ferrari engine.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Car Culture
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Kindig-It Design is currently modifying a first-generation Ford Mustang to house a 4.8 to 4.9-liter Ferrari V12 engine. The ambitious project includes significant structural alterations to the vehicle to accommodate the Italian powerplant.
Why it matters
Merging two iconic automotive lineages creates unique engineering challenges, particularly when adapting a vintage American chassis for an engine originally designed for exotic European performance. The project highlights the technical complexity of restomodding when using rare, salvaged components.
The Ferrari F101 engine features a displacement of 4.8 to 4.9 liters and originally produced 335 hp in its C-series configuration. A replacement crankshaft for this specific unit may cost upwards of $25,000.
The players
Kindig-It Design
This Salt Lake City-based automotive shop specializes in high-end vehicle fabrication and custom restomod projects.
Dave's Auto Center
This facility is performing the mechanical evaluation and disassembly of the damaged Ferrari engine.
The details
Technicians at Dave's Auto Center are currently stripping the engine to evaluate internal damage, which includes corroded heads and dinged valve buckets. To fit the engine properly, the team is moving the Mustang's firewall and planning to pair the V12 with a modern five-speed gearbox.
Timeline
The engine type was produced between 1976 and 1979 for the Ferrari 400 GT and 400 Automatic.
Roadmap
This project reflects a growing trend in the automotive world of cross-pollinating distinct mechanical legacies to push performance boundaries. By integrating rare, vintage European engineering into American classics, builders are challenging traditional restoration norms.
For custom car enthusiasts, this project illustrates the extreme costs and logistical hurdles involved in securing and repairing legacy performance parts. Finding specialized components like replacement crankshafts often necessitates significant budget planning and expert sourcing.
The takeaway
Restomodding projects involving vintage European engines require extensive mechanical diligence before installation begins. Enthusiasts should prioritize comprehensive internal inspections when sourcing salvaged engines to avoid catastrophic mechanical failures.
Further reading
For more on local builds and unique vehicle modifications, check out the Car Culture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HotCars.
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Would you personally support installing a high-performance foreign engine into a classic American muscle car?
