Ferrari-powered Mustang Headed to Hot Import Nights Phoenix

Classic Ford Mustang known as ‘Corruptt’ is one of the few show cars that draws a crowd at any event.

Roughly a year ago, we brought you the story of a 1968 Ford Mustang that was the focus of one of the most unusual builds we have seen. The team at American Legends Hot Rods and Muscle Cars took the tired old pony car and injected it with a hefty dose of Italian influence. The team installed a 4.3-liter Ferrari V8 in place of the Ford V8, but since 483 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque wasn’t enough, this Ferrari-powered Mustang is fitted with a monster twin turbo setup.

In addition to the turbocharged supercar engine, this Mustang has a Ferrari-inspired interior and an array of unique bodywork that makes this one of the most unique (and incredible) pony cars we have ever seen. The car made its grand debut at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and since then, it has been featured at shows all over the country.

On June 8, Corrupt will be one of the main attractions at the Phoenix stop on the Hot Import Nights schedule, giving show-goers a chance to check out one of the world’s coolest custom Ford Mustangs.

Build Details

In case you missed our first report on the Mustang named Corrupt, the original goal was to take the 4.3-liter V8 from a Ferrari F430 and install it in a classic American pony car. Simply putting a Ferrari engine in a classic pony car would have created a head-turning show vehicle, but this project was more than just an engine swap.

In addition to installing the Ferrari V8, the team added two huge turbochargers to vastly increase the output. The official power numbers haven’t been announced, but the estimate of 700 horsepower was offered up at SEMA last year when this machine debuted. That power is sent to the rear wheels by means of a Tremec T56 six-speed transmission with a sequential shifter while a Ride Tech Shockwave air ride suspension setup provides the sporty stance over the Avant F461 wheels.

Once the engine was installed with the huge turbos, the team had to enlarge the engine bay, pushing the radiator support forward to make room for the boosted Ferrari V8. As you might imagine, moving the radiator support forward forced the team to modify the front end, adding a custom front fascia that maintains the basic shape of the classic Mustang while providing plenty of room and air flow for the powerful engine. That wasn’t the only body upgrade though, as the roof has been chopped, the taillight panel has been completely redone and the sides of the car feature unique flares and skirts.

Finally, while the build team preserved the exterior look of this classic Mustang, the interior is unlike anything that has ever come off of a Ford assembly line. The floor is carbon fiber, the linear dash carries Ferrari gauges and vents, a set of plush, low-back bucket seats have been installed with safety harnesses and all of the electronics are controlled by means of a tablet mounted behind the custom shifter.

Really, the Corrupt Mustang is a unique enough vehicle that it would turn heads with a Ford V8, but the total package, incorporating a twin turbocharged Ferrari engine, makes this a total showstopper.

Hot Import Nights

At one point early in their history, the Hot Import Nights events may have truly been reserved for foreign cars in the United States that had been heavily modified. These events gave the “import crowd” a place to show off their unique tastes, but over time, the events have grown to include vehicles of all makes and models. So long as it is heavily modified, often in similar fashion to the imports on hand, vehicles like the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro are included in the HIN events.

Needless to say, when it comes to a heavily modified Mustang, it doesn’t get much more extreme than the Corrupt car.

In addition to the scores of heavily modified vehicles from all over the world, Hot Import Nights events include DJs, scantily-clad women, vendor displays and plenty of other attractions that all combine to make HIN one of the top show series in the world. Even if imports aren’t your thing, the Phoenix event this weekend will at least have one amazing American car on hand, with this Ferrari-powered Mustang serving as a keynote attendee in the lineup.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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