Special Vehicle Operations

In 1981, Ford formed the SVO group to design and develop performance parts and accessories related to the company's racing programs.

SVO was involved motorsports programs, expanding Ford racing, establishing a performance parts business, and producing road cars.

[1] The group's sole production car, the Ford Mustang SVO, was designed to compete directly with European sports sedans like BMW's 3 Series.

To reduce costs, they used the existing 2.3 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed manual transmission from the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

The car had a different computer and air meter and added an intercooler, a Hurst shifter, KONI Group shock absorbers, and 16 inch wheels, a novelty at the time.

(Special Vehicle Options) Was established in Australia by Australian motor racing driver and engineer Mick Webb in the late 1980s.