Ford introduced the 351 Windsor in 1969 as an outgrowth of its classic small block motor. When installed in the also-new-for-1969 Mustang Mach I, it created a contender for Chevrolet’s Camaro SS 350.

But Gary Weckesser had an idea – why not put four Windsors in the redesigned Mustang? And since there was one engine for each wheel, why not power all four wheels? Take that, Tommy Ivo!

Images: KustomBart

Gary completed the Mustang in an incredible eight months, christening his creation the Mach IV. Starting with a chassis made from 4130 chromemoly tubing, Gary then modified a fiberglass 1969 Mustang “Sports Roof” funny car shell to add form to his automotive vision. The 351s were built with 12:1 compression and faced back-to-back, requiring reverse-grind cams for the engines up front. Fuel was delivered via Kent Enderle injectors, and the hot spark to assist in the combustion were provided by a team of Joe Hunt Magnetos. However, the most interesting aspect about the Mach IV was that all this mechanical presence was powering all four wheels through a single clutch!

Even though the Mach IV was a show car, it had the suds to back it up, posting 7-second quarter mile times in the 180 MPH range. Yet by 1975, Gary and his wife Jill retired the Mustang from the show circuit, a victim of lean times and dwindling sponsorship. Plus, other duties beckoned, like raising a family of four. The car sat in their garage for years but has come out of hiding in recent years, much to the enjoyment of both those prone to nostalgia and those subjected to youth.

Images: Bill Crittenden