Herrod Ford Mustang DJR 40th Anniversary revealed

The 40th anniversary of Dick Johnson’s first Bathurst victory is being celebrated by a new 578kW Ford Mustang built by Herrod Performance.

Keen students of mathematics and Australian motorsport history will know that Johnson’s first win at The Mountain came in 1981, but with questions over vehicle supply the program has rolled over into 2022.

Just 100 examples will be built, split between Australia and New Zealand, and while exact pricing will depend on customer location and specification, expect a price tag of around $130,000 including the base Mustang GT donor car.

The final product is a long way from a standard GT, however, primarily thanks to the latest-generation HP GenX V Whipple supercharger, which boosts outputs for the 5.0-litre V8 from 339kW/556Nm to a whopping 578kW/810Nm.

A Herrod Performance bi-modal exhaust provides a suitable soundtrack and there are uprated radiators for the engine and transmission.

Despite the hefty power increase the cars are legal in all Australian states and territories thanks to the second-stage manufacturer status of Melbourne-based Herrod Performance.

Handling is not ignored, with larger wheels measuring 20x10-inch at the front and 20x11-inch at the rear, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres – 285/30 and 305/30 respectively.

Springs and swaybars are also replaced and the MagneRide dampers retuned with a Herrod-specific calibration.

A body kit, consisting of a front splitter and massive rear wing with gurney lap, enhances the special Mustang’s exterior, while inside there’s retrimmed leather with embroidered logos for the seats, a new Alcantara steering wheel and a dash plaque.

The inspiration for the DJR 40th Anniversary Ford Mustang came from a one-off giveaway car built by Herrod for Repco and you’ll be able to read a review of that car on carsales next week.

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