The Mustang was a success in the U.S., but nobody knew what will happen in Europe, with so many other car-makers that could match its performances.

Ford built the Mach 1 for the European market to offer the growling V8 sound and the thrills that come with it. Maybe it wasn’t the fastest car in its category, but it surely was the one that had a long history in the back, matched only by the Porsche 911, which was way more expensive.

The design team installed new air-intakes in the honeycomb mesh-grille to feed the engine and a taller grille on the apron to improve the cooling factor. The Mach 1 showed the big Brembo calipers through the specific, 19” light-alloy wheels from its sides. A specific badge with the car’s version name was installed on the front fenders and on the trunk lid. A specific aerodynamic package with a wing helped the car hit a higher cornering speed in the back. Four 4.5” tailpipes (114.3 mm) improved the sound experience and the performance as well.

The interior featured two bucket seats in the front and a 12” digital instrument cluster. The dashboard design resembled the one on the original, 1969, Mach 1, with a raised area in front of the front passenger. For the infotainment, Ford installed its latest SYNC 3 device and a Bang&Olufsen sound system.

Ford said that the Mach 1 was track-ready. Its stiffer suspension and wider tires made the car more planted to the road. The Magnaride adjustable dampers were tuned to improve grip and helped the car be one of Ford’s best track car. The engine was carried over from Mustang Bullit, and it was paired as standard to a Tremec 6-speed manual with rev-match capability. A 10-speed auto was on the options list.