LHD Mustang spotted today in Melb (with pic)

So this evening I was driving in Richmond and happened to spot my exact same car, but LHD! What's even more odd is that it has the export-style tail-lights, and not the US red coloured ones. Can anyone explain this car? Has anyone seen any LHD ones before?

Even more unusual is that a check on the plate (1CT6HS) returns a mysterious "error" on the Vicroads website (even though checking my own plate or any other plate works fine). The plate 1CT was issued in early 2014, by the way, which means the plate is older than the car itself.

This is most likely a Ford AU car that was brought in for testing before local release. Tail lights changed for legal reasons but everything else U.S. Spec would meet exemption rules for test mules with VicRoads.

GrabberS550 said:

This is most likely a Ford AU car that was brought in for testing before local release. Tail lights changed for legal reasons but everything else U.S. Spec would meet exemption rules for test mules with VicRoads.

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Interesting. So if this car's purpose was for "testing", then why is it still being driven?? What possible testing could they still be doing at this stage?

Ford would pay an exemption fee unlike standard registration that they could renew for as long as 'necessary'. I can only assume it's not worth shipping back to the U.S. and can't be sold here so until it breaks down and isn't financially viable to repair they will keep paying the exempt fees to keep it a usable LHD vehicle in Oz. Probably the cheapest option and while Ford still does R&D in Oz they can do whatever they like with it.

^^^^ And then they'll crush it.

Or it will be driven as a hack at the proving ground like lots of other oddball stuff is

^^^^ That would be a far preferable way to see out its days.

MisterZ said:

Interesting. So if this car's purpose was for "testing", then why is it still being driven?? What possible testing could they still be doing at this stage?

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Testing the Hybrid version in "Australian conditions" :lol:

GrabberS550 said:

I can only assume it's not worth shipping back to the U.S.

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Why not? A 2015 GT Premium should easily fetch 25-30 grand in the US. Subtract shipping costs, and you're still left with 20-25 grand profit. The fact that it has export clear tail lights would also increase it's value/saleability in the US. But who knows how many kms it's done...

I reckon Ford Australia would still have the Triple Yellow LHD GT that did the tour of Australian Ford dealerships in mid 2015, still in their stock of test vehicles as well.

Some european countries drive on the left. Likely an eu model from european left hand market.

dingobreath said:

Some european countries drive on the left. Likely an eu model from european left hand market.

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Skinny wing mirrors and the large GT badge on the back between the tail lights indicate this red one is not a normal export or European model.

Has the bump on the roof, so I assume not the original shipment ?

ozengine said:

Has the bump on the roof, so I assume not the original shipment ?

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Hmm, good point. Could be a test mule. MY18 driveline in a current body. Testing for emissions, economy etc.