Special Vehicle Operations
Encyclopedia
In 1981, Ford
formed the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) group to design and develop performance parts and accessories related to the company's racing programs.
The group also built a special model to showcase these parts, the Ford Mustang
SVO. The SVO Mustang was designed to compete directly with European sports sedans like BMW
's 3 Series
. To reduce costs, they used the existing 2.3 L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed manual transmission
from the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. The car had a different computer
and air meter and added an intercooler
, a Hurst
shifter, KONI
shock absorbers, and 16 inch wheels, a novelty at the time. The car produced 175 hp (130 kW) for the 1984 model year
(MY) and the first part of the 1985 MY, 205 hp (152 kW) after mid-1985 MY, and 200 hp (149 kW) for the 1986 MY. In total, 9,844 were built.
SVO/Ford Motorsports was later renamed Ford Racing Technology (FRT).
also used the SVO nameplate, originally on modified XF Falcons. Webb and Johnson both claimed ownership of the acronym, however it was Webb whom first registered its usage.
Mick modified new Ford EA Falcons (with "S Pac" or "Fairmont Ghia" base) with customised ROH 16" wheels, Recaro seats, MoMo steering wheels, suspension upgrades including Bilstein shock absorbers, engine modifications, spoilers and two tone grey paint work.
At the time, Ford were not investing in V8 or sports modifications and the relationship didn't evolve further. Tickford Vehicle Engineering
, an English company, were contracted to perform enhancements to Ford sedans, leading to the XR sports models.
SVO produced 1600 Falcon Sedans, 1100 ute's, 600 Fairlanes and 280 capri's.
Melbourne and Sydney dealership records indicate that 5 SVO NL Fairlanes were produced between 1997 - 1998. Several EL XR8 and EL Fairmont Ghias were also produced. These vehicles employed a mix of EL GT, Ghia and parts bin accessories rather than a specific design, and were reviewed in Motor and Wheels magazines in 1997.
Mick Webb & SVO are still enhancing and modifying Ford products today.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
formed the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) group to design and develop performance parts and accessories related to the company's racing programs.
The group also built a special model to showcase these parts, the Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
SVO. The SVO Mustang was designed to compete directly with European sports sedans like BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
's 3 Series
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. Successor to the BMW New Class, it has been produced in five different generations and in no less than five different body styles. It is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the...
. To reduce costs, they used the existing 2.3 L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
from the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. The car had a different computer
Engine Control Unit
An engine control unit is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running...
and air meter and added an intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
, a Hurst
Hurst Performance
Hurst Performance, Inc. of Warminster Township, Pennsylvania, manufactured and marketed products for enhancing the performance of automobiles, most notably for muscle cars.-Products:...
shifter, KONI
Koni
Koni or KONI is:* Koni , Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's black Labrador Retriever* KONI , an FM radio station located in Lanai City, Hawaii* Koni * Koni, Guinea* Koni, Côte d'Ivoire...
shock absorbers, and 16 inch wheels, a novelty at the time. The car produced 175 hp (130 kW) for the 1984 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
(MY) and the first part of the 1985 MY, 205 hp (152 kW) after mid-1985 MY, and 200 hp (149 kW) for the 1986 MY. In total, 9,844 were built.
SVO/Ford Motorsports was later renamed Ford Racing Technology (FRT).
SVO Australia
SVO was created in Australia by Australian motor racing driver and engineer Mick Webb in the late 1980s. Dick JohnsonDick Johnson (Australian auto racing)
Dick Johnson is the owner of the V8 Supercar team Dick Johnson Racing and a former racing driver. As a driver, he was a five-time Australian Touring Car Champion and a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000...
also used the SVO nameplate, originally on modified XF Falcons. Webb and Johnson both claimed ownership of the acronym, however it was Webb whom first registered its usage.
Mick modified new Ford EA Falcons (with "S Pac" or "Fairmont Ghia" base) with customised ROH 16" wheels, Recaro seats, MoMo steering wheels, suspension upgrades including Bilstein shock absorbers, engine modifications, spoilers and two tone grey paint work.
At the time, Ford were not investing in V8 or sports modifications and the relationship didn't evolve further. Tickford Vehicle Engineering
Tickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:...
, an English company, were contracted to perform enhancements to Ford sedans, leading to the XR sports models.
SVO produced 1600 Falcon Sedans, 1100 ute's, 600 Fairlanes and 280 capri's.
Melbourne and Sydney dealership records indicate that 5 SVO NL Fairlanes were produced between 1997 - 1998. Several EL XR8 and EL Fairmont Ghias were also produced. These vehicles employed a mix of EL GT, Ghia and parts bin accessories rather than a specific design, and were reviewed in Motor and Wheels magazines in 1997.
Mick Webb & SVO are still enhancing and modifying Ford products today.