Tickford's mega Ford Mustang

Ford tuner Tickford has combined with racing legend Allan Moffat to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the blue oval’s sensational Bathurst 1000 1-2.

Back in 1977 Moffat led Colin Bond across the line at Mount Panorama in Ford Falcon XC hardtops, but with the Falcon now out of production Tickford has turned its tuning skills to the 5.0-litre Mustang GT.

Just 77 examples of the Tickford Bathurst ’77 Special will be built and the retail price (before on-road costs), is expected to be somewhere between $100,000 and $120,000 depending how much the base car costs from a Ford dealer.

If you think that’s a big number check this out; the limited edition will come with a supercharged V8 engine that is expected to punch out significantly more than the 500kW and 739Nm Tickford has admitted its prototypes have produced.

The exact figure is yet to be finalised, but don’t be surprised if it ends up at 525kW or even 530kW.

Tickford is keeping most technical and equipment details to itself at the moment, but has asked for “expressions of interest” from potential buyers.

Those customers will get only very limited ability to pick how they want their ’77 equipped. For instance, they could opt for black rather than the standard gold 20-inch wheels and they could have the number removed from the decal kit that replicates the 1977 racer. And yes, you can have your ’77 as a convertible.

But key specification such as the supercharger and sports suspension are non-negotiables.

Tickford has also revealed the car will come with full OEM-spec leather interior and specific touches, including XC Hardtop red and blue stitching on the seats, a bespoke steering wheel, unique cabin badging and a build plate.

The base exterior colour will be white and each car will be fitted with an XC replica rear wing (maybe not convertibles though).

The ’77 represents an important development for the reborn Tickford business, which is affiliated with Supercars operation Prodrive Racing Australia and has no official ties with Ford Australia.

The business, which launched in 2016, has so far offered technical and dress-up personalisation for Mustang and Ranger. The ’77 is its first limited edition concept, but is unlikely to be the last given the heritage the blue oval has in Australian motorsport and the fact Ford itself has shown no interest in racing or celebrating its past achievements.

“This year is a significant anniversary in Australian and Ford motorsport history and while it will be celebrated in many ways, we are privileged to be working with Allan Moffat to create a modern V8 hardtop that pays tribute to his famous winning machine,” said Tickford CEO Tim Edwards in a press release.

“Our mantra is ‘performance driven by passion’ and with the very special enhancements we are making to all the main areas of each Tickford Bathurst ’77 Special, this project has given us the chance to turn that into reality.

“We wanted to give fans that either witnessed the famous 1-2 live, or have come to appreciate the supreme effort after the fact, the chance to own a unique vehicle that has been developed in conjunction with the man that made it happen.

“The fact Allan endorses the program and has worked with our project team from initial concept stage to provide input into the Mustang’s development only adds to its status.”

Moffat, who is 77 and appropriately enough, won’t turn 78 until after this year’s great race, also expressed his enthusiasm for the project.

“It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since Colin and I finished 1-2 at Bathurst but while I recall the race as if it were yesterday, it is nice to know it holds such a special place with so many people all these years on,” he said.

Canadian-born Moffat won Bathurst four times, including his final victory in 1977. He also won the Australian Touring Car Championship four times in a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1980s.

“The team at Tickford have done a very thorough job coming up with a modern interpretation of my 1977 XC Hardtop,” Moffat said. “While the Falcon has sadly been consigned to the history books, the Mustang was always one of my favourite cars to race and I had considerable success in them. Ford have done a great job with the latest one.

“The Tickford Bathurst ’77 Special looks amazing, produces an unbelievable amount of power and the finish across all areas of the vehicle highlights why the return of Tickford is so important for the Australian automotive industry. These guys know what they are doing and it shows in this special edition.”