The Ford Mach 2 is an experimental, high performance, two passenger sports car designed for possible street and competition use. In keeping with the philosophy which led to the Mark II and 'J' Car prototypes; Ford designers from several corporate departments gave the Mach 2 aerodynamic lines, a midship-mounted engine and rear drive.

Designed to take Ford's high performance 289-cubic-inch family of engines, the Mach 2 weighs approximately 2,650 pounds in road trim and would be substantially lighter in race form. The car is only 47 inches high.

"The midship-mounted engine and independent rear suspension make the Mach 2 a highly advanced design," said Donald N. Frey, Ford Motor Company vice president and Ford Division general manager. "The midship-mounted engine permits better weight distribution; high efficiency braking and excellent handling."

The underbody of the Mach 2 la semi-monocoque steel construction. The body is fiberglas. Radiator air is ducted in at the vehicle's front and exhausted through the front deck. Two thermostatically controlled electric fans cool the radiator.

The body features side ducted ventilation to the heater and air conditioner; fixed and flush mounted side windows, a rear canted radiator exhaust grille depressed in the hood surface; carburetor intake ports on the rear deck and engine exhaust through the chopped-off rear grille.

The cockpit is entered by means of a front-hinged door that opens high into the roof. The seats are designed as an integral part of the car's structure. The clutch; brake and accelerator pedals are adjustable to accommodate Individual drivers. These features were Introduced on the Mustang I sports car in 1963.

The wheels have magnesium spiders, steel rims and chrome-plated lug nuts. The Mach 2's unique emblem, with an American flag and race flags is a checkerboard pattern, is mounted on each wheel center and On the hood and rear deck.

The Mach 2's headlamp doors are retractable and rotate 120 degrees into the lower front quarter panel just behind the front bumper. The headlamp doors are raised and lowered by operating a lever within reach of the driver. The luggage compartment is between the radiator air exhaust duct and the instrument panel.

Modified Mustang components utilized in the Mach 2 include frame, front suspension, steering and brakes, with disc brakes in front and drum brakes in the rear.

Other components are;

Rear suspension -- two trailing links in combination with one lateral control arm, with a half-shaft as the second lateral control arm.

Transmission -- five-speed manual transaxle.

Fuel system -- two aircraft-type neoprene fuel cells fitted in saddle tanks behind the main bulkhead; filler caps located in upper roof rear quarter panel areas.

Tires -- 7.00 x 15 all round in street version; 9.20 x 15 in front and 12.00 x 15 in rear in race version.

SPECIFICATIONS

Wheelbase: 107.3

Tread -- Front: 60.8

-- Rear    6l.6

Overall length: 175.0

Overall width: 68.0

Overall height: 47.0