One-Off Factory-Built Collectible Sports Aviation Theme
It's one pricey Pony, with a
pricetag befitting a Cessna more than a Ford... but each and every
dollar was for a great cause. Ford's special, one-off Mustang AV8R
sold for $500,000 Thursday evening at the Gathering of Eagles
charity auction, part of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
AirVenture Oshkosh 2008.
Ford built the Mustang AV8R specifically for the charity
auction. Proceeds from the sale will support EAA youth education
and inspirational experiences that prepare young people to become
the engineers, pilots and innovators of tomorrow. Ford is the
exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and recently
announced that it has extended its partnership with the event
through 2011.
"Ford is a longtime supporter of EAA and its mission to showcase
the finest innovation and technology in the world of flight," said
EAA President and CEO Tom Poberezny. "The hard work of the Mustang
AV8R team and Ford's generosity in donating this beautiful vehicle
to the Gathering of Eagles, will help EAA do some amazing things
for future engineers, pilots and other young people interested in
aviation."
Produced using internal resources and named to commemorate
Ford's participation in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the one-of-a-kind,
fully-customized Mustang AV8R was created by a team including
Mustang Design Chief Doug Gaffka and Mustang Chief Nameplate
Engineer Paul Randle, with performance support from Ford
Racing.
"Ford is proud to support the young aviators," said Edsel B.
Ford II, a member of Ford's Board of Directors. "Developing the
Ford AV8R for this purpose has been a wonderful opportunity for our
Mustang team, and we are happy to see such generosity from the new
owner of our Mustang AV8R."
The Mustang AV8R is Build #1 of 1... and given its special
factory-built one-off status, is a collector's dream vehicle. The
AV8R performance story is fueled by a 4.6L 24-valve V8 supercharged
engine capable of generating 400 horsepower; a Ford Racing Handling
Pack featuring dampers, lowering springs, anti-roll bar kit and
strut tower brace; and a Ford Racing Tuned Exhaust.
The AV8R features a unique "satin finish" aviation inspired
paint with a black gloss treatment; a new glass roof canopy,
provided by Webasto Roof Systems, available on 2009 Ford Mustang
models, but with unique Star-in-Circle insignia laminate glass;
unique graphic treatment, special front and rear fascias, an AV8R
faux gas cap, plus a Mustang Bullitt grill, shift knob and
prototype aluminum appliqués. The combination of paint and
the open-sky canopy in the AV8R invokes the spirit of aircraft,
with an aviation inspired interior that includes distressed "Bomber
Jacket" leather inserts and trim panels.
The Mustang AV8R features autographs from aviation legends and
celebrities attending EAA AirVenture, which include Harrison Ford,
Edsel B. Ford II, Jack Roush, Carroll Shelby and others.
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