The Ford Special Vehicle Team was established in 1991 to “Polish the Ford Oval” by creating low volume, factory produced vehicles designed for those select few whose idea of driving is a high powered, passionate experience. Not just a means of getting from point A to point B.

In a move to support those passionate drivers, Ford carefully integrated a wide array of talent into a small, cross functional group of engineers, product planners, and marketing people, housed together with a common passion, to create vehicles specifically designed to meet the unique needs and desires of the knowledgeable driving enthusiasts.

Each of over 100,000 SVT vehicles produced since the 1993 model year has been designed and developed with the four SVT Hallmarks in mind: PERFORMANE, SUBSTANE, EXCLUSITY, and VALUE. These Hallmarks have driven the SVT Cobra & Cobra R, the SVT F-150 Lightning, the SVT Contour, and the SVT Focus.





1991—SVT is founded by Robert L. Rewey.
1992—Official launch of the 93 SVT Cobra & 93 SVT Lightning.
1993—SVT Cobra & SVT Lightning arrive at dealerships. The First Gen R is created.
1994—The Intro of the second generation SVT Cobra.
1995—The second Gen R is created. The 95 R has a 5.8L V8 producing 300 Hp.
1996—The SVT Contour is created. The Cobra now has a 32v 4.6L producing 305 Hp.
1997—SVT reaches the milestone of 50,000 vehicles sold.
1998—The Cobra gets the Canary Yellow pain option.
1999—The Lightning returns with a 5.4L V8. The Cobra gets a new body style.
2000—The 00 Cobra R is made. It features a 32v 5.4L V8 that produces 385 Hp.
2001—The Lightning gets 3.73 rear gears and 380 Hp.
2002—SVT reaches the milestone of 100,000 vehicles produced.
2003—The 03 Cobra is released with a supercharged 32v 4.6L V8 with 390Hp.