Karkraft May 2026
Kar-Kraft acted as the "skunkworks" for Ford Performance. They were responsible for projects that were too specialized or low-volume for Ford’s main assembly lines. Their primary mission was to turn Ford’s "Total Performance" marketing into reality on the track and the street.
A radical mid-engine Mustang prototype meant to challenge European sports cars. It featured a 289 Hi-Po V8 mounted behind the driver and a lightweight fiberglass body. Though it never reached production, it remains a "holy grail" for Ford historians. The "Kar-Kraft" Experience KarKraft
Kar-Kraft was instrumental in the development and assembly of the GT40 Mk IV , the only version of the GT40 designed and built entirely in the United States. This car famously won Le Mans in 1967. Kar-Kraft acted as the "skunkworks" for Ford Performance
While officially rated at 375 hp for insurance reasons, the engines were known to produce closer to 500+ hp when properly tuned. A radical mid-engine Mustang prototype meant to challenge
Unlike mass-produced Fords, Kar-Kraft vehicles were essentially hand-built . This resulted in high labor intensity and superior performance hardware, though some period reviewers noted they were "sledgehammers" rather than "ballerinas"—brutally honest and loud machines.
Kar-Kraft was subcontracted to hand-modify the front ends, relocating the shock towers and reinforcing the structure to fit the "semi-hemi" engine.
Cars built or modified by Kar-Kraft are identified by a unique "KK" serial number .