Description:

The Ford Mustang GTS-1s competed across America throughout the 1990s. They could mainly be found competing and winning titles in the SCCA's Trans-Am series and also IMSA's GT Championship (in the GTO/GTS class), both of which were incredibly popular. However the mighty Mustangs also competed in major endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Powered by a 5.8-litre Ford V8 producing up to 740bhp it proved dominant in period and today makes the perfect weapon to compete in historic motorsport. 

This Ford Mustang GT1 represents a proven piece of American racing history. The car competed from 1996 to 1998 with drivers Rick Lee and Wayne Akers, during an era when Ford and Chevrolet battled for supremacy in two of America's longest-running championships. The SCCA Trans-Am and IMSA GTO/GTS class championships embodied the win on Sunday, sell on Monday philosophy. Every car had to resemble its road-going counterpart, making it the perfect marketing tool for major US manufacturers. This particular chassis then continued its competition life beyond its Trans-Am years.

In the 1980s the Trans-Am championship entered a more modern era as it began to handicap cars based off their capacity to weight ratio. This was introduced at the same time as the tubular framed cars began to enter the framework. The early part of the 1980s era would see winners from many different manufacturers proving the concept of the handicap system. Icons such as David Hobbs would bring Chevrolet their first title in many years in 1983. 1984 marked the beginning of the Roush domination as they would go on to win 46 out of 83 races with 97 podiums and a staggering 40 pole positions.

In 1989 the Trans-Am series returned to its roots as all-American car manufacturers including Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Ford went head-to-head for championship success. Each car would had to loosely resemble their road car counterpart, but it would be the forever iconic Ford lead by driver Dorsey Schroeder which would bring home its first championship since 1970. In 1990 Chevrolet would return the favour as it would bring home 8 wins throughout the season bringing Chevrolet their first title in 7 years.

As the series began to increase in competition, Ford would continue its pursuit of another championship into the 1993 season. This would be made significantly tougher due to the return of Dodge to the championship. This would set the scene for a titanic battle across the season with the three huge American brands in motorsport, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Oldsmobile. Ford would win 3 out of the first 5 races but would fall short of the overall championship in the end, just missing out to Chevrolet.

As the Trans-Am series began to gain momentum and popularity, they entered the 1998 season with new sponsorship as BFGoodrich Tires became the sole tyre supplier for the championship. Chevrolet saw this rise in popularity and used this opportunity to release their fifth generation Corvette to compete for 1998. This would prove to be a wise decision as the car would secure Corvette yet another drivers title. However, it would be Ford that would dominate the 1999 season with their Mustang as they won the title that would close out the millennium and their second title in only three seasons.

Chassis W1892 competed in the Trans-Am championship in 1996 till 1998 driven by Rick Lees. This chassis was part of the 1997 season where Ford would not only win the championship but dominate it. Ford as a brand would win a total of 13 races across the 1997 season proving itself to be the most dominant car on the grid.

After W1892 finished it’s Trans-Am career in 1998, the chassis would continue its racing career by going back to the championship where it made it’s debut, The national SCAA championship. In the hands of Leeman, this chassis would set multiple fastest laps across the 2001 season. This season would also see the combination of Miller and Leeman compete in the Rolex Sun Series 200. Between 2003-2006, W1892 would continue racing in the SCAA national events but with a new driver behind the wheel. Peter Mohrhauser split the racing between the SCAA national and the American GT Challenge which would see W1892 bring home wins at iconic tracks such as Road America.

W1892 has had large amounts of success in historic motorsport in both America and here in Europe. After securing wins and pole positions in HSR events, the car was shipped over to Europe for a full restoration. In 2021, W1892 would pick up wins at Donington Park and at Silverstone Festival as part of the Masters Endurance Legends series. In 2022, W1892 would take on the Circuit De La Sarthe for the Le Mans classic in the Endurance Racing Legends grid. The Mustang would not only qualify on class pole with a 3.59 but it would also go on to win the GT1 class.

W1892 presents the perfect opportunity to compete in historic race series such as the GT1A class of Endurance Racing Legends by Peter Auto and the newly announced Endurance Icons by Motor Racing Legends.

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