Somewhere in the middle of the Mustang pack is the 1981 Fox-bodied M81, which Ford produced in conjunction with McLaren Engines, who would soon become the supercar building McLaren Automotive.

In 2020, chassis number 0F03A308227 was sold at a Barrett-Jackson event for only $37,400. By today’s standards, calling the Mustang McLaren M81 a performance car is laughable.

Like the M81 McLaren Mustang, Saleen planned an SSC run of 250 units, but it didn't happen. What did happen was the kind of car that those nostalgic for the 1980s would surely drool over.

Pony car collectors better listen up as a rare 1980 M81 McLaren Mustang prototype is going up for grabs. Set to go under the hammer at Mecum’s Indy Auction in May, the prototype graced the cover ...

McLaren developed a turbocharged inline-four 2.3-liter engine and strapped a $25,000 price tag on the unlikely Mustang (codenamed M81). 250 units were slated for production, but only 10 were built.