Here’s Why One Of Ford’s Most Famous Performance Brands Disappeared

By Pune Media On Oct 12, 2024 29

Throughout the latter part of the 20th century and the early part of the 2000s, most performance-orientated Fords, such as the underrated Contour SVT, came with the letters ‘SVT’ or ‘SVO’ adorning their bodywork somewhere. Any car featuring this branding could be counted on to quicken a gearhead’s pulse, but in 2015, they disappeared completely.

As one of the most iconic and revered brands that Ford has utilized throughout its 100+ year history, its demise was a somber one. This is why Ford decided to make the decision to ax SVT for good.

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Ford Special Vehicle Operations Was Established In 1981

Why Ford’s SVT Brand Disappeared

Ford focussed on globalizing its business following the 2008 financial crash.
Wanting to streamline its interests, SVT was combined with Ford RS and Ford Racing to create Ford Performance.

Wanting to bring its racing and vehicle tuning operations in-house, as opposed to relying on external partners such as Shelby, Ford established Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in 1981. The outlet worked on multiple high-profile projects, such as turning Mustangs into racers that could compete in SCCA road racing competition.

SVO primarily focussed on racing, and only ever produced one road car, the 1984 Mustang SVO. As the 1990s beckoned, Ford wanted to begin offering specialist performance vehicles that could be differentiated from standard models in the range. It elected to rename SVO to SVT (Special Vehicle Operations) in 1991.

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While still playing a role in Ford’s racing interests, SVT’s bread and butter became producing spicier versions of Ford’s line-up. SVT worked to four core values with each of its cars; Performance, Substance, Exclusivity, and Value. The new operation debuted in style with the 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT, as well as a hotter version of the F-150 pickup truck called the Lightning.

These vehicles received more power than their standard counterparts, and also gained handling upgrades through suspension and brake enhancements. They also got some body modifications to make them look more aggressive than their more standard siblings, as well as changes to the interior to make them feel more special.

SVT Produced Some Of Ford’s Most Iconic Performance Cars

Following the success of its initial models, SVT went on to construct a wide range of blazing Ford vehicles. It helped to design the bonkers GT90 and Thunderbird SVT concept cars, while also gracing the world with a wide range of tuned Mustangs. It also sprinkled some magic dust onto the Contour and Focus models in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Much like the cars it started out with, SVT made sure to enhance not only the performance and aesthetics of Ford’s normal cars, but also keep them affordable. While tending to stick with V8s for the models it released, the Contour and Focus SVTs utilized tuned 2.5-liter V6 and 2.0-liter I4 powerplants respectively.

Each of the models that SVT could be purchased through Ford’s standard dealer networks, making them easy to source too. The department was also instrumental in designing the resurrected Ford GT supercar in the early 2000s, a reimagination of the iconic GT40 that dominated the storied 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race in the late 1960s.

SVT Became A Victim Of Globalization

As the costs of manufacturing vehicles became more expensive than ever following the 2008 financial crash, Ford searched for ways to cut spending as much as possible. While its Mercury brand was one big victim, it also decided to try and pool its resources. Traditionally, the US arm of the company has designed vehicles for its market, while Ford Europe designed bespoke cars for the European sector.

Realizing that a huge amount of money could be saved by selling the same vehicle worldwide, Ford took the decision to start designing global models. As a result, cars like the Fiesta started to be offered in the US, while the only difference between the second-generation Fusion sedan and its Euro counterpart, the Mondeo, was the range of engines and name.

In the background, Ford felt that its performance-orientated brands would work better as one big unit. It therefore made the decision to combine the forces of SVT and its Euro counterpart Ford RS, as well as Ford Racing, under one umbrella.

Named Ford Performance, the new collaboration remains to this day, and takes care of all of Ford’s high-end performance road car and racing activity around the world. This meant the name of the iconic SVT name, though it lives on through the rapid cars it managed to craft over its years in service.

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The 1999 Ford SVT Lightning Was A Truck With Attitude

1999 Ford SVT Lightning

Engine	Supercharged 5.4-liter V8
Power	360 hp
Torque	440 lb-ft

One of SVT’s best-known creations was the second-generation Ford SVT Lightning, which was based on the PN96 F-150 platform. It was only available as a regular cab, while the bed could only be had in a 6.5-foot configuration. As with most SVT products, the F-150 underwent a comprehensive development program to turn it into a performance weapon.

Under the hood, a 5.4-liter Triton V8 was utilized, though it was helped along with a handy supercharger. With a compression ratio of 8.4:1, the V8 transmitted 360 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. This was enough to push the Lightning to 60 mph in a pretty blazing 6.2 seconds. Those carrying expensive equipment in the bed would do well to remember this. A four-speed auto gearbox was the only transmission option available.

To ensure it didn’t handle like a truck, SVT went to work on its underpinnings. Improved shocks and stiffer stabilizer bars were installed to reduce body roll, while the ride height was dropped by an inch on the front and by two inches on the rear. The Lightning was also afforded a more aggressive body kit, including wider arches and new front and rear bumpers. The cherry on the cake was a set of 18-inch wheels, which came wrapped in Goodyear tires from the factory.

The Ford Mustang Cobra R Brought The Model Into The New Millennium In Style

2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R

Engine	Supercharged 5.4-liter V8
Power	385 hp
Torque	385 lb-ft

Another of SVT’s most well-known experiments was the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R. The R was geared more towards track use than the standard Mustang Cobra, a direction that was reflected in the changes SVT’s engineers made. The same supercharged 5.4-liter V8 as used in the Lightning was utilized.

An engaging six-speed manual gearbox came mated with the much-loved Triton V8, while a useful limited-slip differential ensured the power could be put on the road effectively.

The compression was raised to 9.6:1, complete with aluminum heads and high-lift camshafts. As a result, 385 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque were fired to the complaining rear tires. A revised suspension setup, which included Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, was used to get it track-ready, as was a powerful Brembo braking system.

The Cobra R Also Looked The Part

Ford Heritage

The Cobra R was also one of the most aggressive-looking vehicles SVT ever made, primarily due to its huge rear wing, combative front bumper, and side-exit exhausts. The hood also featured a commanding power bulge, which was necessary so that SVT could shoehorn the huge V8 into the engine bay.

This theme continued on the inside, as Recaro bucket seats made their debut. These illustrated the Cobra Rs track ambitions, as they came with Simpson’s five-point racing harnesses. The rear seats were also taken out to save weight. The rest of the dash was pretty much the same as standard Mustang Cobra models.

While being one of SVTs most stand-out cars, it was also one of the rarest. Just 300 examples were ever constructed according to Mecum Auctions, so you’ll need to reach deep into your wallet to secure one.

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Sources

Ford, Ford Performance, Mecum Auctions

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