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1985 Ford Mustang Probe GTP

The Ford Mustang Probe was designed to compete on the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTP circuit and was equipped with a 2.1-liter four-cylinder Cosworth BDA straight engine with a turbocharger producing approximately 600 horsepower. Along with racing, it was a high-speed testbed where new ideas in electronic engine management, aerodynamics, carbon-fiber composites, and turbocharging could be explored and tested.

The Ford Mustang GTP was based loosely on the road-going Ford Mustang. The IMSA GTP category had come about following the GTX class had become obsolete in 1983. Ford was in search of a new car as their Ford Mustang GTX was no longer eligible for competition. The chassis and bodywork for the GTP car were built by Roush Performance and Protofab, using carbon fiber panels bonded to a Nomex and carbon fiber composite monocoque chassis. Kevlar was used for additional reinforcement in key areas. The conventional suspension system relied on double wishbones with Koni coil-over springs and adjustable sway bars. The engine was backed by a Hewland 5-speed manual transmission and the overall weight of the vehicle was approximately 1,770 lbs.

Among the racing career highlights was a second-place finish at Watkins Glen and Sears Point in 1985, and an outright victory at Laguna Seca in 1986. Drivers include Klaus Ludwig, Doc Bundy, Lyn St. James, Scott Pruett, Pete Halsmer, Ari Luyendyk, Tom Gloy, and Chip Robinson.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 002

This Zakspeed USA Ford Mustang Probe GTP, chassis #002, is one of 4 fielded by the team in IMSA's GTP class between 1985 and 1986. This particular chassis was driven in 1985 by Klaus Ludwig and Doc Bundy, and the duo earned two second-place finishes, at Riverside and at Watkins Glen.

In 1986 it was handed to Lyn St. James and Pete Halsmer. During race three of the 1986 schedule, the Riverside 6 Hours, while being driven by Lyn St. James, on lap 36 the car was clipped by a GTP Corvette during an ill-advised pass and shoved headlong into a wall flipping several times, and landing on its roof on fire. St. James was incredibly fortunate to escape the wreck without serious injury but this chassis never raced again. It was repaired by Zakspeed and Ford and used as a display vehicle thereafter.