Ford Mustang GTD Is So Wide Ford Had To Find A Loophole In The Law

The new Ford Mustang GTD is so wide that it nearly crossed into commercial-truck territory. According to federal rules, vehicles that exceed a certain width—like the Ford Bronco Raptor or Ram TRX—are required to wear amber safety lights similar to those on heavy-duty trucks. These lights aren’t just functional, they’ve become something of a style trend, inspiring everything from copycat SUV builds to “overland” 4Runners with decorative marker lights.

The GTD, however, avoids this fate thanks to a legal loophole that keeps it just shy of the requirement. Speaking to The Drive, Mustang GTD Design Manager Anthony Colard explained that Ford’s fastest Mustang didn’t quite need the lights, even if it came close.

Ford Found A Loophole To Avoid Trendy Lights On The Mustang GTD

FMVSS 108 says larger vehicles (measuring 80 inches or wider) have to have these lights to, ironically, remain more visible on the road. If you've seen a Bronco Raptor on the road or a Ram TRX, you'll already know how hard they are to miss. Coming in at 81.8 inches in width, the Mustang GTD should have had to line up for a set of three amber lights in the middle and one on each side.

Instead, the design team decided they didn't want to get in on the hot new overlanding trend (at least not with this Mustang) and sought out a way around FMVSS 108. Colard says the lamps are only required because vehicles fitting 108 are considered "dual-purpose" vehicles when you homologate (make legal for road use) them. Vehicles in this category can be bought by companies and registered and used as work trucks. However, the GTD isn't considered a dual-purpose vehicle, and therefore isn't subject to FMVSS 108.

The Drive asked what would happen if, for example, you own a race track and suddenly that GTD is now a work vehicle, maybe because you use it to give rides to tourists. You know, for... "tax" purposes. Just like that Montana LLC. While you could have your Montana racetrack LLC buy a GTD and both own and register the vehicle, Colard says it's still not classified as a "work vehicle." "Any vehicle you can put a sticker on saying ‘not for hire,’ then enters that category (referring to dual-purpose vehicles) where you need to have the lights," Colard said.