Ford unveil 'Apollo' one-off Mustang
While past creations have paid to tribute to classic and modern fighter planes, this year's Mustang was inspired by America's space program, specifically the Apollo series of missions that put a man on the moon in 1969 and continued until 1972. As Ford themselves said, this year's creation is "out of this world".
The Apollo Edition Mustang will be donated and sold via auction at the Gathering of Eagles charity event, July 23, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 - the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration.
Ford is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the annual event, and has donated a custom Mustang for auction at the Gathering of Eagles for the past eight years. All proceeds from the sale will benefit EAA youth education programs, including the Young Eagles, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9 million young people since 1992, helping grow the next generation of aviators.
Based on a 2015 fastback Ford Mustang GT, the Apollo Edition Mustang features a one-of-a-kind gloss pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme that delivers a creative connection with the Saturn V launch rockets of the NASA Apollo program. Other external features include a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker mouldings and accent treatments, along with unique LED underbody lighting "to symbolise atmospheric re-entry".
Performance enhancements include the GT performance package (which Australian-delivered Mustangs will be fitted with as standard), Ford Performance supercharger and shifter, X-pipe with side and rear exhaust, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes and custom Forgiato 21-inch performance wheels. In this configuration, Ford says the Apollo Edition Mustang will deliver a heart-pounding 467kW (627hp) and 734Nm (540 lb/ft).
The interior features exclusive details, including performance gauges in a modified instrument cluster, unique sill plates and embroidered details in the seats, trim panels and floor mats, including 'Apollo Project' logos on the front seat backs, and individual Apollo mission patches on the rear seat panel.
"Ford has been a committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture for more than 15 years - bringing incredible value to those who make Oshkosh the highlight of their aviation year," said Jack Pelton, EAA chairman of the board. "With its eighth Mustang donation, Ford continues to excite with its specialty vehicles, which reflect the depth of the company's commitment and which allow EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members in helping us grow the next generation of aviators."
The Apollo Edition Mustang joins seven other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the auction in support of EAA youth education. Ford vehicles donated at EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised nearly $3 million.
The unique vehicles that have supported EAA youth education programs including Young Eagles, are:
_ 2008 - Mustang AV8R, with cues from F-22 Raptor, which helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered an auction contribution of $500,000
_ 2009 - AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang, crafted in honor of the World War II aircraft
_ 2010 - Two automotive icons - the late Carroll Shelby, former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and Jack Roush, longtime P-51 pilot - collaborated for the first time to create the SR-71 Blackbird Mustang inspired by the legendary Lockheed reconnaissance jet
_ 2011 - Blue Angels Mustang, created to celebrate 100 years of U.S. naval aviation
_ 2012 - Red Tails Mustang, to pay homage to Tuskegee Airmen of WWII - P-51 Mustang pilots who were the United States' first African American military airmen
_ 2013 - U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang, built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic demonstration team
_ 2014 - F-35 Lightning Edition II Mustang, which featured design cues from the world's most advanced multirole fighter jet - the F-35 Lightning - basde on the then-new sixth generation Mustang
The Apollo Edition Mustang was modified by MAD Industries, led by Chris Mangum. Interior enhancements were designed by Ford's Betancourt and Nicole Rush, and created in-house by Ford's design fabrication team. Additional contributors to the project include Ford Performance, Eibach Springs, Carbon 2 Carbon, BASF automotive refinish, Gibson performance exhaust, Pirelli tires, Forgiato wheels, Rigid Industries LED lighting, SourceSE by sPod, 3M window film, PIAA Corporation, Brembo, APR performance, FOCAL/The Source AV and Odyssey battery.
