Ken Block Mustangs

During his incredible life, rally driver Ken Block built several Ford Mustangs for his Gymkhana race events. Each one is a custom, one-off project designed specifically for high-speed drifting. Although they’re not available to the general public, they still inspire and impress Mustang fans. Much like the man behind these impressive vehicles.

Who Was Ken Block?

Ken Block was a rally driver and entrepreneur. He got his start as one of the co-founders of DC Shoes. He was also the co-founder of Hoonigan industries, a popular apparel and media production company.

Block founded the Monster World Rally Team in 2010 and served as the lead driver. It’s now known as the Hoonigan Racing Division. Hoonigan is a mashup of the words “hoon” and “hooligan.” Hoon means to drive recklessly, while a hooligan is a disruptive, lawless individual. This perfectly describes Block’s style of driving (on closed tracks only, of course).

Though he gave up full-time Rallycross racing in 2017, Ken stayed actively involved in the scene. He showcased his driving skill in his massively popular Gymkhana videos up until his death. Block tragically passed away in a snowmobiling accident near his ranch in Utah on Jan. 2, 2023.

Hoonigan Mustangs

While Ken Block has put his name on over a dozen vehicles, his Hoonicorn Mustang builds stand out. "Hoonicorn" is derived from the Hoonigan name. The addition of "unicorn" indicates how unique and rare these cars are. Each Hoonicorn puts out immense power and is especially suited for high-speed drifting.

Ken Block Hoonicorn V1 1965 Mustang

Ken Block’s first Hoonicorn was the V1. It was built on a heavily-modified 1965 Mustang platform. A custom ASD Motorsports-designed tubular chassis, roll cage, door bars, and underbody protection were added. The body of the original 1965 coupe was reinforced and seam-welded. This was necessary for the high amounts of power and aggressive driving the car was put through.

The body was styled by Ken Block with RTR and Hoonigan. Vaughn Gittin Jr., a fellow Monster World Rally Team driver at the time, also assisted with the design. RTR supplied carbon fiber body panels, which are lightweight yet strong. The black and gray striped paint job featured decals from Monster, GoPro, Castrol, and others.

The car ran in Block’s Gymkhana Seven event in Los Angeles in 2014. At the time, Hoonigan claimed it was the only “all-wheel-drive performance Mustang ever built.” For Block’s rally style of driving, it was a perfect match.

Ken Block Hoonicorn V2 1965 Mustang

In the quest for even more power, Block went back to the drawing board with Vaughn Gittin Jr. Their aim was to take the V1 Hoonicorn to the next level. Enter the V2 Hoonicorn with forced-induction. The team added two Garrett turbochargers which provided up to 21 lbs of boost. The result? About 1,400 horsepower. A custom Switzer Dynamics intake manifold was also added to distribute massive amounts of air.

Larger tires were outfitted, but the wheels remained the same. Some red, white, and blue design was also added to the exterior. Ken Block used this vehicle on a perilous climb of Pike’s Peak in Colorado. The event, called Climbkhana, featured Block drifting through the hairpin mountain turns.

Ken Block Hoonifox AWD Mustang

The Hoonifox gets its name from the Fox Body Mustang on which it’s based. This car is still in the concept stages but should make a big splash upon release. CGI mock-ups of this planned vehicle debuted in April 2020. Taking style elements from the Hoonicorn 1965 Mustang, it will be the widest Fox Body ever. It also adds some sweet 80s style, like window louvers and louvered taillights.

There will be a rally-spec AWD system, but the engine remains unknown. It could be the 410 Yates motor from the Hoonicorn or maybe a twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost. Either way, it’s sure to inspire those looking to make their own Fox Body drift build.

Other Ken Block Vehicles

Ken Block designed and modified over 20 vehicles. These include quite a few Ford hatchbacks such as the Focus RS, Fiesta ST, and Escort RS Cosworth. He also worked on Subarus before his time with Ford, and had committed to working with them again in 2021.

On the truck side, Block built both classic and modern projects. There’s the Hoonitruck, a 914-hp 1977 Ford F-150. He also made the RaptorTRAX, an F-150 Raptor with snowmobile tracks instead of wheels. He even customized a 1974 Bronco just for his wife that used a Coyote 5.0 engine.

Block was an absolute legend in the automotive industry. While he may be remembered most for his racing career, or his unbelievable Gymkhana videos, we'll always remember the amazing vehicles he and the Hoonigan team built. Especially the Mustangs.

Sources: Hoonicorn Mustang, Forza Fandom Wiki | Hoonigan Racing Garage, Hoonigan Racing | Here's What You Need to Know About Ken Block's Fastest Mustangs, Hotcars | Toyo Tires and Ken Block Announce Climbkhana | | Ken Block Reveals an All-New, All-Wheel-Drive Ford Mustang Fox Body Concept: The Hoonifox, Ford Performance