Ford is sending the very first Mustang Dark Horse SC to the auction block, pairing a supercharged, track-focused pony car with a high-profile charity sale.
Auction First
Ford has confirmed that the very first Mustang Dark Horse SC—VIN 001—will be auctioned later this month at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event. The car will be sold with no reserve, and 100 percent of the hammer price will be donated to Breakthrough T1D, a nonprofit supporting research and advocacy for people living with Type 1 diabetes.
Charity Context
This is not Ford’s first high-profile charity auction, and the precedent suggests significant collector interest. The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse VIN 001 raised $375,000 for Breakthrough T1D, while the first 2020 Shelby GT500 brought in $1.1 million for the same organization. Barrett-Jackson framed the upcoming sale as a continuation of that tradition, emphasizing both the car’s rarity and its cause.
Where It Fits
The Dark Horse SC is positioned between the standard Mustang Dark Horse, which starts at $64,080, and the $325,000 Mustang GTD. Ford has been careful not to release full specifications, but the intent is clear: this is a more aggressive, more track-oriented evolution of the Dark Horse formula, borrowing heavily from Ford’s GT3 and GTD programs.
Track Pack Focus
VIN 001 will be equipped with the optional Track Pack, which significantly alters both the car’s appearance and its dynamics. Aerodynamic upgrades include a ducktail rear spoiler and a carbon-fiber rear wing that helps generate 620 pounds of downforce at 180 mph. Braking is handled by a Brembo carbon-ceramic system, while grip comes from Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
Weight Reduction
Beyond aero and grip, the Track Pack emphasizes mass reduction. Carbon-fiber wheels replace conventional alloys, and the suspension swaps steel components for forged links and a magnesium strut tower brace. According to Ford, these changes contribute to a weight savings of roughly 150 pounds compared to a standard Dark Horse configuration.
Interior Changes
Inside, the Dark Horse SC leans closer to the GTD than a typical Mustang. It uses a flat-bottom steering wheel lifted directly from Ford’s flagship track car, along with Recaro front sport seats trimmed in leather and Dinamica. The rear seats are removed entirely and replaced with a storage shelf, reinforcing the car’s track-first intent. Visible carbon-fiber trim, red contrast stitching, and a rotary gear selector round out the cabin details.
Powertrain Unknowns
Under the hood is a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ford has not released official output figures, but the related 5.2-liter V8 in the F-150 Raptor R produces 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Given the Dark Horse SC’s positioning and track focus, expectations are that it will exceed those numbers.
Collector Signal
The Dark Horse SC’s auction debut will likely serve as a temperature check for how collectors view Ford’s latest high-performance Mustang variant. With VIN 001 status, a full Track Pack specification, and a strong charity angle, the car is widely expected to sell for well into six figures, adding another data point to Ford’s recent run of headline-grabbing auction results.
