Kar-Kraft acted as the "skunkworks" for Ford Performance. They were responsible for projects that were too specialized or low-volume for Ford’s main assembly lines. Their primary mission was to turn Ford’s "Total Performance" marketing into reality on the track and the street.

KarKraft (frequently written as ) was Ford’s secret weapon during the 1960s—a dedicated performance shop that functioned as an outside engineering arm to bypass corporate bureaucracy. While it was technically a separate entity, it was funded by Ford to build their most extreme racing and homologation machines.

This is Kar-Kraft’s most famous street-legal achievement. Ford needed to homologate its massive 429 cubic inch V8 for NASCAR, but the engine was too wide for the standard Mustang body.

Today, the name lives on through , led by Mike Teske, which produces authentic continuation Mk IV GT40s for collectors who want the period-correct experience of the original Le Mans winner.

Below is a review of Kar-Kraft’s legacy, engineering impact, and most notable projects.