As one of the world’s oldest and largest automakers, Ford has a certain obligation to deliver affordable, quality vehicles to consumers. As such, Ford rarely dabbles in ridiculous or sensational vehicles with really low production volume. Even their supercars, like the GT500 or Boss 302 Mustang, are sold by the thousands. 

Yet despite the odds, the UK’s Autocar reports that Ford is considering building and selling a road-legal version of its Formula Ford Race Car. If you recall, this is the race car that recently took to the Nurburgring with a 1.0 liter, 200+ horsepower 3-cylinder EcoBoost for motivation. This car has turned into such a viral sensation, that the Blue Oval may actually allow an elite few to buy it, and drive it on the street.

This no-frills street racer would be competing against the likes of the infamous Ariel Atom, a “car” in name only that doesn’t even have a windshield. The Ariel Atom is all about the power-to-weight ratio, delivering blistering performance and unbelievable cornering ability. Watch Jeremy Clarkson’s review of the Atom, and you’ll see what we mean.

While Ford gave its Formula racer side view mirrors, working headlights, and even a speedometer, few people though that Blue Oval would, you know, build it. Yet that is reportedly the case, though Ford would build between just 20 and 40 units, and they would be priced in the $80,000 range. Not cheap, especially for a one-seat roadster with no pretenses about being anything but a race car. The Formula Ford lapped the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes and 22 seconds. That’s a time on-par with the Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper ACR. 

Yet who here among us wouldn’t want to be a purpose-built race car from Ford? Sure, there is always the track-only Cobra Jet or Boss 302S, but those are based on a chassis sold by the tens of thousands. Just a few dozen Formula Ford race cars will be built, and at great cost. Perhaps other automakers will take a page from Ford’s book, and start building their own street legal race cars for public purchase. Who knows? Maybe it will inspire an entire automotive revolution.

Probably not…but it’s fun to imagine such craziness, no?