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Mario Andretti Reunites With His Old Autolite MustangIt was a joyous reunion when motorsports legend Mario Andretti saw his old Autolite Mustang recently in Oklahoma City. The old racecar driver was attending the grand opening of an Andretti Indoor karting and Games location when a local dealership owner decided to surprise the man, rolling out the old pony car he now owns.
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While the news crews that were in attendance for the reunion thought it was a nice feel-good story, they clearly missed the significance of the Mustang. After all, the car itself is an important piece of automotive history, so it’s no wonder Andretti waxed sentimental upon seeing it.
Back in the 1960s, Ford Advanced Design was serious about creating a Mustang that would hit 200 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats. While the engineers involved in the project undoubtedly were caught up in the thrill of figuring out such a feat, Ford funded it because the marketing around such an accomplishment was pure gold.
Teaming up with Autolite Division’s engineering team, the two put their heads together and came up with a radical design.
They took a regular 1967 Mustang Fastback and dropped an Autolite-developed DOHC IndyCar V8 into it. The engine was rated at 650-horsepower and was a high-revving mill, so power wasn’t a problem. But fitment was, thanks to the far greater width, requiring cutting and some new engine mounts.
Thanks to a clear plexiglass hood, not only was the engine highly visible, so were the headers which exit through the front fenders. More modifications addressed the IndyCar engine’s cooling needs, traction, handling, and other considerations.
Amazingly, the body of the ’67 Mustang wasn’t modified, just the wipers and door handles were removed.
Mario Andretti was handpicked to pilot the pony car in its high-speed run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. While the Mustang didn’t hit the 200 mph goal, it did go 175.873 mph and set several records, making it a true motorsports legend.
Image via News On 6
