2024 Ford Mustang GT3 #88
Pilots: D. Olsen, M. O. Pedersen, G. Roda
Team: Proton Competition
Race: 30th overall (3rd in LMGT3 class) at Le Mans in 2024
Spark - S9159 (resin)
Published 11/20/25
On September 14nd, 2022, Ford unveiled the seventh generation of the Mustang (internally called S650). Production began in May 2023 at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, initially with two engine options. Customers could choose a 2.3 l turbocharged inline-4 or a 5.0 l modular V8, called Coyote. You could buy the Mustang basically in three configurations; Ecoboost, GT or the top of the line, Dark Horse. The Dark Horse came with the Coyote engine, delivering 373 kW (500 hp – but about 10% less for the European version). Almost at the same time, Ford announced that they would develop a car for the upcoming GT3 class. As part of the Centennial Le Mans Celebration, on June 9th, 2023, Dearborn revealed the new car. Based on the current Dark Horse, the new car was the Mustang GT3. The GT3 was eligible for both IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC.
Using a 2024 Dark Horse as the basis, Ford Performance contracted Multimatic and M-Sport to develop the car. Ford wanted an “affordable and durable race car, that is simple to maintain”, key traits for client teams. With that in mind, Multimatic went to work. For the powerhouse, they used the Coyote engine as the basis, enlarged to 5.4 liters. Despite the higher displacement, it still used Ford’s 32-valve DOHC Ti-VCT. However, it counted on a carbon propshaft and four-plate AP racing clutch, connected to a six speed Xtrac racing transaxle. The chassis had a unitary steel construction, with removable front and rear sub-frames. The body consisted of quick-change carbon fiber panels, with a GT3-specific aerodynamics package. And for a suspension system, it counted on double wishbones front and rear with Multimatic’s five-way adjustable DSSV dampers.
The Mustang GT3 had its race debut in January 2024, at the 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing in 6th. For the FIA WEC, the first team to adopt the Mustang GT3 was German Proton Competition. Proton debuted the Mustang GT3 at the Qatar 1812 km, in March, followed by Imola and Spa. Results were far from good, with the best being an eighth place at 6 Hours of Spa, in May. However, the big challenge was obviously the 24 Heures du Mans, on June 15th. Proton arrived with three cars at La Sarthe, cars #44, #77 and #88. Piloted by Dennis Olsen, Mikkel Pedersen and Giorgio Roda, car #88 finished in 30th overall but third in the GT3 class. A podium finish at your Le Mans debut is not bad at all 😎!
I guess I don’t have to say that a Le Mans’ Mustang GT3 was a must have for the W143 Garage. My only other Le Mans Mustang was the GT350 #17 of 1967, the first Mustang to race at La Sarthe. Therefore, getting the Mustang GT3 #88 was a no-brainer.
In scale, there isn’t much to say but that this one has the standard Spark-awesomeness. As expected, the paint job is fantastic and details are great. In other words, a terrific model. I honestly think every Le Mans collection should feature a Mustang GT3; it’s an honest-to-God good model 🤩.