1965 Shelby GT350R Goes for Almost $1MM at Auction

The incredibly rare 1965 Shelby GT350R is quite possibly the most sought after and valuable of all Shelby Mustangs with just 34 built.

They hardly ever come up for sale, and when they do they can get near-seven figure prices. The car you see pictured here is one such example, selling this week at the RM auction in Monterey, CA for an incredible $990,000. The auction estimated the GT350R’s price tag to be between $900,000 and $1,300,000, meaning someone got a fairly good deal on a historic Mustang.

The Shelby GT350R that was sold, chassis number SFM5R106, is one of the most original examples in existence with less than 4,900 miles and the original engine and transmission. Originally owned by Richard Jordan, the car was raced in Midwestern SCCA national events until the early 1970s. After its racing career the car was placed into storage until 1986 when it was purchased and restored. Since that time the car has been perfectly maintained and is very original down to its plexiglass and magnesium wheels. The original Shelby American paperwork including invoices, titles, racing photos and more remains with the car.

2012 Shelby Mustang Super Snake GT-500 Goes on Tour

Just last month, Monaco Ford hosted its inaugural show of cars which brought out a couple hundred dedicated fans. The idea here was to support the new tour which is traveling to almost all 50 states, showing off the elegant 2012 Shelby Mustang GT-500 Super Snake. The High Five Tour is brought to us by the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization and is meant to bring awareness to those who serve, and will be stopping at a Ford Dealership in each state to help raise awareness.

Former Marine Dave Monaco’s son Mike is one of the organizations founders and was at the stop in connecticut. “He called me and asked if we wanted to be the Ford dealer that sponsors them in Connecticut,” said Monaco. “Now it’s going to be an annual thing.”

For people who want to attend, you can make a donation to the organization which will get you admission to the event and some tasty beverages. Attendees get a chance to put their John Hancock on the Shelby Super Snake which will eventually go to auction. The proceeds will help build anew house for Marine Lance Corporal Tyler Huffman with the assistance of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Huffman was wounded and paralyzed back in December.

This marks the 2nd year of the tour, with year one bringing in over a million dollars for the effort. ANd check out how this went down..the person who won the Mustang Shelby paid a whopping half a mill for the car, then gave it back to be auctioned off again! The second round brought in another half mill, totaling 1 million dollars!

On the tour, the 2012 Super Snake will have three drivers including Lt. Gen. John B. Sylvester, Major Gen. Arnie Fields (Ret.) and Folsom. Sylvester was asked who would be able to slap their signature on the car, his response: “Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and people who love soldiers, sailors airmen and Marines. It’s America’s car.” He also mentioned that the event at Monaco was the biggest of the tour so far.

The Wounded Warriors Family Support organization helps to sponsor trips for families with wounded veterans. The idea is to help them enjoy life without stress and support them at a difficult time. You never know how a wounded soldier is going to deal with returning to society, so its imperative that their be ample support for them.

also sponsors family trips for wounded veterans, in order to give them stress-free time and any family support they may need. “It’s all about the family coming back into whatever it’s going to morph into whenever a [wounded] soldier comes back,” he said.

Rare 1970s Ford Mustang Mach I Cobra Jet to be Auctioned

The Vicari Auction Company will offer a rare 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I Super Cobra Jet (Lot S373) during their 16th annual Biloxi Auction, Oct. 12-13, 2012, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center in Biloxi, Miss.

In 1970, there were 50 Super Cobra Jet Mach I Mustangs produced with the Bright Gold Metallic paint sported by this vehicle. Of those, two were produced with a 4.30 Traction-Lok Rear Axle and only one – this Mach I offered by Vicari – was ordered with Power Front Disc Brakes.

The Mach I Mustang features a 428 CID 4V Super Cobra Jet engine with a four speed close ratio manual transmission and drag pack. Other options include AM radio, competition suspension, color-keyed racing mirrors, console-mounted shift lever, rim blow-deluxe steering wheel, instrument gauges, rocker panel moldings, rear deck lid tape stripe, deep dish sports wheel covers and color-keyed carpeting.

“This muscle car is a Mustang collector’s dream come true as it’s not only very rare, but it has been maintained in museum-like quality,” said Pete Vicari, president of Vicari Auction. “In 1970, there were only 857 Mach I vehicles equipped with the 428 Super Cobra Jet/Drag Pack.”

The Mustang Mach I Super Cobra Jet will join more than 400 classic and muscle cars crossing the block at Vicari’s Biloxi Auction, which takes place during the Cruisin’ The Coast event, Oct. 7-14, 2012.

2015 Ford Mustang Design

The next chapter in the life of the iconic pony car begins today as the all-new Ford Mustang – loaded with innovative technologies and delivering world-class levels of performance – is simultaneously revealed around the globe in six cities on four continents.

“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development. “The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonates with people, even if they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of Ford.”

Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time ever, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.

“We crafted this car with the goal of creating a contemporary interpretation of Mustang – an American automotive icon that symbolizes optimism and freedom for millions of people around the world,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Ford global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln.

Mustang 50th Anniversary Events

April 17, 2014 marks 50 years since the world was introduced to Ford Mustang. Its legions of fans will be celebrating at events across the United States throughout that week.

April 10-16 – Mustangs Across America 50^th Anniversary Drive
Mustangs Across America is organizing a caravan from Los Angeles to Concord, N.C. More than 500 Ford Mustangs are expected to join the drive by the time the caravan reaches the Mustang Club of America celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

April 13-16 – Mustang Club of America Great American Pony Drive
Mustang enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Norman, Okla. on April 13 before driving to the dual celebrations organized by the Mustang Club of America. In Norman, attendees will split into two groups, one setting out for Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

April 16-17 – 2015 Ford Mustang at the Empire State Building
Ford will celebrate 50 years since the public introduction of Mustang by putting a 2015 model convertible on the 86^th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York. The car will be on public display, 1,000 feet above the street, both days from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

April 16-20 – Mustang Club of America 50 Year Celebrations
The celebrations are expected to be so large that Mustang Club of America has organized two simultaneous events, at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The events are open to the public and include displays of Mustang from all 50 years, Ford vehicle ride-and-drives, cruises and Mustang history sessions.

April 17 – 2015 Ford Mustang at Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
The original Mustang was first shown to the world at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Ford will go back to the fair site at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a small gathering of local Mustang club members and the all-new 2015 Mustang.

April 17 – Ford Employee Celebration
Ford Motor Company will host an employee celebration of Mustang at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., 50 years to the day of the Mustang introduction.

April 27 – Fabulous Fords Forever Car Show at Knott’s Berry Farm
The Ford Car Club Council will host the Fabulous Fords Forever car show at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.

May 3-4 – Mustang Madness at Petersen Museum
The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate 50 years of Mustang with special events including a car show and guests including champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Shelby Heritage Grand Opening

Join our friends at Shelby American and Team Shelby as they celebrate their annual Shelby Vegas Bash, the first at the new Shelby American factory location. They will have our official Grand Opening celebration on April 15th. This event will lead directly into the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Ford Mustang also being held in Las Vegas beginning on April 17th. Tickets for the Shelby Vegas Bash are available at the Shelby online store and more information is available at TeamShelby.com.

For those with a heart for all things Shelby, there is an extended agenda:

April 13th Palm Springs CA 4:00PM – Event registration and hotel check in Spa Resort Casino 401 East Amado Rd, Palm Springs CA

April 13th Rancho Mirage CA 5:30PM – 2014 Shelby Bash Kick Off reception and car show Caddy Shack 72680 Dinah Shore Dr, Palm Desert, CA

April 14th Palm Springs CA 8:00AM – 2014 Shelby Run Driver’s meeting Spa Resort Casino 401 East Amado Rd, Palm Springs CA

April 14th Palm Springs CA 8:30AM – 2014 Shelby Run to Las Vegas with lunch stop – arrive South Point Hotel by 3:00PM

April14th Las Vegas NV – Evening event to be announced

April 15th Las Vegas NV 8:30AM – 2014 Shelby Bash scenic tour and Poker Run – driver’s meeting 8:30AM South Point Hotel Shelby parking area – Tour with lunch stop, returning to South Point by 4:00PM

April 15th Las Vegas NV – Grand Opening Event

April 16th Las Vegas NV 9:00AM – Noon – 2014 Shelby Bash Car Show at Shelby American

Topless Mustang is On Top

As the world honors 50 years of Ford Mustang, what better way to celebrate one of the most iconic car brands than putting one back on top of one of the most iconic buildings? When Ford and the Empire State Building decided to display a new 2015 Mustang convertible on the 86th floor observation deck, Ford turned to a longtime supplier for the unique expertise required to make this happen. In a world where tiny startups are regularly swallowed up by established behemoths, Ford Motor Company and Romulus, Mich.-based DST Industries have been collaborators for nearly six decades. In 1965 – the only other time in the Empire State Building’s 83-year history a car was displayed on its open-air deck – a DST crew was on hand to show off that Mustang convertible.

“This week, the band is getting back together as Ford and DST bring the all-new Mustang to the Empire State Building to honor 50 years on sale,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “We’ve taken the new Mustang to new heights of technology and refinement, so we decided to take it to new heights literally for this celebration.”

The all-new Mustang may be more advanced than ever before, but sometimes physical limitations demand old-school techniques to get a job done.

“When our engineers sat down with the DST team to start plotting this out in mid-February, everyone quickly realized that some old-school craftsmanship would be needed to successfully place this car more than 1,000 feet above the crowded streets of Manhattan,” said George Samulski, manager, Ford North America design fabrication.
“The deck is too high to reach with a portable crane from the street, and the spire that towers more than 400 feet above that narrow deck makes helicopter delivery impossible.”

The only other car display on the Empire State Building observation deck happened in October 1965, when a crew from DST, including retired technician Claude Cochran, sectioned a Mustang convertible so that it could be fit into the elevators of the building.
Following a site inspection in New York to meticulously measure all of the elevators and doors, the engineering team in Dearborn sat down with a scale model of the new Mustang and started drawing lines on it with a marker to represent where it should be cut. The Empire State Building is a historic landmark, with original art deco wood and brass trim in the elevators, so it was crucial to ensure everything have plenty of clearance.

“The only real problem we had in 1965 was the steering wheel,” said Cochran. “When we tried to roll the middle section of the car with the windshield removed into the elevator, the top of the wheel stuck out a bit too far through the door, so we had to tip the cart a bit to get it in.”

In preparing for the 2014 event, the team at DST worked with two early prototype Mustang convertible body shells. The car that would ultimately make the trip to New York was completely stripped down and the surface cleaned up to make sure everything looked perfect before it was sectioned and painted.

The second body was used as a donor by DST metal fabricators to determine where to make the cuts and to fit a custom-built tubular steel subframe that would hold all the sections together. The fabricators built custom rolling carts and wooden crates for each section.

Getting from the loading dock to the observation deck requires riding a freight elevator and two separate passenger elevators. A wood mockup of the smallest elevator was built in the DST shop in Romulus to verify everything would fit. Each of the loaded carts was then weighed to ensure everything stayed within the weight limits of the elevator and the observation deck.

“The observation deck is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., leaving our crew of six with only a six-hour window to get everything out onto the deck and get the car assembled,” said Pericak. “Before we shipped the crates to New York, the crew spent several days practicing the entire assembly process – timing everything down to the minute – much like a NASCAR or Formula One pit crew.”

With several weeks of fabricating and practice behind them, and the crates on a truck and headed to New York, the DST crew is resting up ahead of some long nights this week assembling and disassembling the Mustang.

The Triple Yellow 2015 Mustang convertible will be on display for visitors to the Empire State Building observation deck April 16-17. When the deck closes to the public at 2 a.m. April 18, the crew will descend on the display car to reverse the entire process and remove it before visitors return at 8 a.m.

2015 Mustang – 50th Year Limited Edition

Fifty years after debuting one of the world’s most popular cars, Ford is marking the milestone by revealing a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition. Created to honor five decades of Mustang heritage, only 1,964 examples of the 50 Year Limited Edition will ever be built when it goes on sale this fall.
Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition

“When Mustang was approved for development more than 50 years ago, I don’t think anyone imagined it would spawn such a dedicated base of fans around the world and still be in production today,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We are thrilled to be here in New York – where Mustang was first shown to the public at the 1964 World’s Fair – to re-create that historic event for today’s Mustang enthusiasts.”

Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance pack, the 50 Year Limited Edition is designed to provide customers with outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly recognizable on the road. The only options for the 50 Year Limited Edition are the choice of two exclusive colors and a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

50 years of inspiration
“The new Mustang blends a muscular, contemporary shape with design cues that define it as quintessentially Mustang,” said Moray Callum, Ford vice president of design. “The 50 Year Limited Edition adds details that set it apart from other Mustangs, while hearkening back to the 1965 original.”

The only two available colors are Wimbledon White, like Mustang serial No. 0001 that was first sold to Capt. Stanley Tucker in April 1964, or Kona Blue. Both are exclusive to this limited-edition car.

“Chrome trim was much more prevalent on cars in the 1960s than it is today, so we added some discreet highlights for the grille, side glass and tri-bar taillamps,” said Callum. “The darker Kona Blue provides a particularly striking contrast against the chrome.”

Chrome bezels surrounding the base of each of the three taillamp blades take inspiration from the original 1962 design proposal by Gale Halderman that became the basis for the production model that debuted in 1964. The three individual lamps on each side of that design were combined into a single tri-bar lamp cluster for production, but the original concept has returned five decades on. The Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will be the only 2015 model with the large faux gas cap badge on the rear fascia, with 50 Years added to the GT designation.

Another visual element that won’t be found on any other Mustang is the louvered rear quarter-windows. Unlike the external louvers on the quarter-windows of the 1965 fastback, the new windows are comprised of layered sheets of glass built with a construction technique uniquely developed for this car.

Unique cockpit experience
From behind the wheel, drivers will know they are driving a very special car. The aluminum trim panel that spans the double-brow instrument panel gets an axel spin finish different from other 2015 Mustangs, plus a special serialized 50 Year Limited Edition badge on the passenger side. Each badge will be individually etched at Flat Rock Assembly Plant where Mustang is built.

The limited-edition is the only 2015 Mustang with a cashmere-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The stitching is also used on the instrument panel, shifter boot, center armrest, door inserts and seats. The seats feature exclusive two-tone cashmere and black leather upholstery, and the Mustang 50 Year logo on the seat backs.

Limited-edition cars will be equipped with loop-carpet floor mats with cashmere stitching and suede binding not available on other Mustangs.

A showpiece meant to be driven
“Mustang fans love to drive their cars, even the rarer examples of the breed, so we built this limited-edition from the best-performing 2015 Mustang available – the GT fastback with the performance pack,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “While some collectors will undoubtedly stash this car away in a museum, those who choose to hit the open road will get a world-class sports car that can run with the best.”

Powered by the upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering more than 420 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, every 50 Year Limited Edition will be equipped with the Mustang GT performance pack that includes massive six-piston Brembo front brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels with high-performance Y-speed-rated Pirelli P-Zero summer tires.

The 19-inch alloy wheels feature a unique Y-spoke design inspired by the chromed steel wheels that were offered on the original Mustang 50 years ago. The front wheels are 9.0 inches wide with 255/40R tires, while the staggered rear wheels are 9.5 inches wide with 275/40R tires.

The 50 Year Limited Edition is the only 2015 Mustang that will be available with a combination of an automatic transmission and the performance pack. When equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission, the Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will get a limited-slip rear differential with a 3.55:1 final-drive. Customers who opt for the six-speed manual will get a Torsen differential with a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio.

The 50 Year Limited Edition car will be among the first 2015 Mustangs built when production begins later this year. Each of the 1,964 50 Year Limited Edition Mustangs will get a unique owner’s guide in a leather portfolio with the 50 Year badge on the outside.

Need For Speed Pony Goes Fast

A custom 2013 Ford Mustang GT that starred in the blockbuster movie “Need for Speed” was sold by Ford Motor Company for $300,000 on Saturday at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company’s West Palm Beach event.

John Felice, vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service, drove the spectacular Mustang onto the big stage. After spirited bidding that electrified the block, Dave Flynn of Columbiana, Ohio, won the factory-special Mustang. Auctioned at no reserve, proceeds will benefit Henry Ford Health System, the nonprofit founded by Henry Ford to support the Edith and Benson Ford Heart and Vascular Institute.

“Everyone has a Mustang story, and the new owner of this movie car now has one that is particularly special,” says Steve Ling, North America car marketing manager for Ford. “Snagging such a high-profile car right now – 50 years after the birth of America’s first pony car – is something to be cherished. And helping such an important cause makes the sale even more memorable.”

Founded in 1915, Henry Ford Health System is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems. It provides health insurance and healthcare delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive-care services, backed by excellence in research and education. Additional information is available at http://www.henryford.com.

“Watching the car cross the block in support of Henry Ford Health System was very rewarding,” says Sandy Hudson, chief development officer for the organization. “Dave Flynn did much more than just purchase a new car. His purchase will help so many people get access to healthcare.”

The “Need for Speed” Mustang was used in filming and was displayed at all promotional stops for the movie. It boasts a custom-designed, wide body rolling on unique, Forgiato 22-inch alloy wheels. Other design elements include an enlarged lower grille with new air intakes, extended rocker panels, a twin-snorkel hood and low-profile mirrors. With a powerful V8 engine, the Mustang is finished in silver paint with Kona Blue racing stripes.

Restomods – Like Hipsters?

I was watching Velocity the other day and saw a 60s era VW Beetle outfitted with an electric powerplant take on a modded dual carb VW that was tuned for the track and the electric car won. The guy that commissioned the build was a hipster looking dude and it reminded me of this infographic comparing hipsters to Restomod Mustangs.

A restomod Mustang melds the classic looks of first-generation models from the 1960s with modern engines, brakes, steering and suspension for reliable everyday driving and all-around performance most old muscle cars can’t even approach. You can buy or build what is essentially a brand-new 1965 to 1970 Mustang with any engine you want–including the 5.0-liter ‘Coyote’ V8 found in the 2014 Mustang GT.

Gavin Knapp is senior manager, market research, Specialty Equipment Market Association, a trade group that represents manufacturers of automotive specialty products such as the parts used for restorations and restomods.

“The street rod and custom segment, which includes restomods has continued to grow at a steady pace, totaling $1.19 billion in 2012, up from $954 million in 2005,” said Knapp.. “For comparison, the traditional restoration market has been relatively flat over the last several years.”

Restomods can be built to fit a wide range of budget and performance needs and it’s a trend that is becoming more popular with options from basic upgrades to brand-new vintage cars. Unlike some of the hipsters serving up your coffee, a Ford Mustang is never aloof or pretentious either.

Cal Pony Tribute Wheels

The Ford Mustang made its mark of history by hitting the big 50, and with those 50 years has come styles and trends left by the Mustang.

The big talk of the town are these 20” SS tribute wheels that debuted at the 50th anniversary. The folks at Cal Pony Cars have served that sweet taste of “50” on a platter with the 20” SS Style wheel designed after the classic “Styled Steel’ wheels used on vintage Mustangs for those seeking the real vintage look on their 2005-2014 Mustang.

These premium quality chrome plated one- piece cast aluminum wheels are available in 20×9 and 20×10 for a staggered or a non-staggered fitment, come with a chrome plated finish with painted cove area and feature a set of stylized lug nuts.

Included with these wheels are offered with a special set of official ford licensed center caps which were originally included on 1965-1966 Mustangs with styled steel wheels.

Fields Named Ford President And CEO

Ford Motor Company announced today that Alan Mulally has decided to retire from the company July 1, and Mark Fields will be named Ford president and chief executive officer and elected as a member of the company’s board of directors.

“From the first day we discussed Ford’s transformation eight years ago, Alan and I agreed that developing the next generation of leaders and ensuring an orderly CEO succession were among our highest priorities,” Executive Chairman Bill Ford said. “Mark has transformed several of our operations around the world into much stronger businesses during his 25 years at Ford. Now, Mark is ready to lead our company into the future as CEO.”

Mulally, 68, is retiring after nearly eight years leading Ford and capping a remarkable 45-year career. Mulally has led Ford’s transformation and strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading global automakers. Under Mulally and the company’s One Ford plan for profitable growth, Ford has achieved 19 consecutive quarters of profitability, developed the strongest product lineup in Ford’s history and embarked upon the company’s most ambitious global expansion in the past half century.

“Alan deservedly will be long remembered for engineering one of the most successful business turnarounds in history,” Bill Ford said. “Under Alan’s leadership, Ford not only survived the global economic crisis, it emerged as one of the world’s strongest auto companies. We always will be grateful to Alan for his leadership, compelling vision and for fostering a culture of working together that will serve our company for decades to come.”

The transition in July is approximately six months earlier than previously anticipated, following Mulally’s recommendation to accelerate the timetable based on the readiness of Ford’s leadership team.

“Alan and I feel strongly that Mark and the entire leadership team are absolutely ready to lead Ford forward, and now is the time to begin the transition,” said Bill Ford, who recruited Mulally from Boeing in 2006.

Fields, 53, was named Ford’s chief operating officer in December 2012. He has been leading all of Ford’s global business operations and most skill teams, including product development, manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing, sales and service.

Fields’ role as COO has included leading the company’s weekly Business Plan Review meeting, which Mulally established to track the progress of the One Ford plan and to monitor the global business and competitive environment. The Thursday meetings are credited with driving a reliable and transparent process for running Ford’s global operations and enabling Ford’s senior leadership to work closely together and act decisively on its plan.

Before serving as COO, Fields served as executive vice president and president – The Americas since October 2005. There, he led the transformation of Ford’s North American business – turning it from record losses several years ago to record profits in each of the last four years. Earlier, Fields guided the product-led transformation of Ford’s European operations and formerly held European luxury brands, as well as the relaunch of Ford’s independent operations in Argentina and a major restructuring and product renaissance at Mazda.

Mulally thanked the Ford team for their many contributions and accomplishments.

“It has been an honor to serve and contribute to creating a viable, profitably growing company for the good of everyone associated with the Ford Motor Company,” Mulally said. “By working together with all of our stakeholders around the world, we now are accelerating Henry Ford’s original vision to open the highways to all mankind.

“Ford’s future is so bright, and Mark – supported by an experienced and dedicated senior leadership team – is absolutely the right leader to continue to deliver on our compelling vision,” Mulally added.

Fields underscored his commitment to the One Ford plan, including building on the company’s unprecedented global introduction of new products, innovations and excellence.

“It is a true honor to lead this great company and this talented team into the future,” Fields said. “Under Alan’s leadership, we have seen the power of One Ford and what a culture of positive leadership and working together can accomplish. My commitment is to build on that success by accelerating our pace of progress. All of us at Ford are committed to delivering even more of the great products and innovations that will deliver growth and define our company going forward.”

Mustang Raffle

Ford continues its longstanding support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by offering a one-of-a-kind 2015 Mustang 50 Years convertible to be raffled off this summer. The winner of this exclusive convertible featuring select content from the 50 Year Limited Edition fastback will be announced in Mustang Alley in Ferndale, Mich., on Aug. 16, 2014 during the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

“We’re thrilled to be able to work with and help The National MS Society again,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development. “As pleased as we are to be able to help financially with the Society’s No Opportunity Wasted research project, we also feel it’s important to help raise greater awareness of this terrific program. That we’re creating one – and only one – Mustang GT 50 Years convertible for the Society shows how much we respect and support their efforts.”

The car will be among the first regular production 2015 Mustang GT convertibles built this fall. Power comes from a 5.0-liter V8 generating more than 420 horsepower and more than 390 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. This will be the only 2015 Mustang convertible built with a special performance pack that includes 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero summer tires, Brembo six-piston painted front brake calipers and a limited-slip differential.

Like the recently announced 50 Year Limited Edition fastback, the convertible features a number of unique elements that distinguish it from other 2015 Mustangs:

Wimbledon White exterior paint
Chrome-accented grille with corralled pony emblem
Chrome accents around the tri-bar taillamp lenses
Axle spin-finish aluminum instrument panel trim
Rear decklid badge with “GT 50 Years” identification
Two-tone cashmere and black leather seats
Contrasting cashmere stitching on instrument panel, steering wheel, shift boot, door inserts and seats
Loop-carpet floor mats with cashmere stitching and suede binding
19-inch Y-spoke wheels inspired by the chrome steel wheels offered on original Mustang
Owner’s guide in a leather portfolio with “50 Years” badge on the outside

2015 F35 Inspired Mustang Auctioned

The engineering and design teams at Ford Motor Company led the development of the one-off 2015 F-35 Lightning II Edition Ford Mustang, which was donated by Ford and sold at the Gathering of Eagles charity event. The event was held on Thursday, July 31, 2014 during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit the EAA Young Eagles program, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.8 million young people since 1992, helping inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, aviators and innovators.

“The idea to model one of our specialty builds after the F-35 was four years in the making, under discussion even as we created the SR-71 Blackbird Mustang for auction in 2010. Just as the F35 was designed with unprecedented capabilities and versatility in mind, we felt it would be a natural fit to pair with the all-new 2015 Mustang,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford Board of Directors. “Lockheed Martin supported our requests on both vehicle builds and is bringing their F-35 Lightning II Cockpit Demonstration System, plus several test pilots, to the Ford Hangar. Visitors to the Ford Hangar are sure to be wowed by both the beauty of the F-35 Lightning II Edition Mustang and the opportunity to get the fighter jet experience first hand.”

The unique 2015 F-35 Lightning II Edition Mustang draws design cues from the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the new joint forces strike fighter. The aircraft is the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter jet, providing unmatched capabilities to the military forces of the United States and its allies.

This one-of-a-kind sports car is one of the first 2015 Ford Mustangs to be sold. The design of the modified Mustang GT fastback exudes a creative connection to the F-35 Lightning, while highlighting the new design features of the 2015 Mustang. Ford design manager Melvin Betancourt and Mustang chief engineer Dave Pericak led the design and engineering teams that developed this unique car.

The exterior showcases a customized glossy and matte titanium paint scheme with distinctive accents inspired by the blue and yellow lightning tail livery applied to the early production examples of the F-35. The bubble canopy of the stealthy F-35 features a distinctive gold tint designed to help minimize its radar signature – an appearance that is replicated on the windows of this Mustang.

The springs of the Mustang GT performance pack have been replaced with Eibach units for a lower ride height and the exhaust system gets larger, ceramic-coated outlets. This Mustang rolls on a set of Forgiato-created custom 21-inch wheels to further differentiate it from anything else on the road. Additional elements include a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and rocker moldings, unique mirror skull caps and a vertically-enhanced rear spoiler.

Exclusive interior details include a modified instrument cluster, Recaro® seats, custom audio system and floor mats embroidered with F-35 Lightning II elements and unique sill plates.

The Young Eagles auction is part of the EAA Gathering of Eagles gala. The Gathering of Eagles annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts in support of Young Eagles and other EAA programs that inspire young people to become engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.

“Ford has been a committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture for 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 seventh Mustang donation, Ford continues to excite with its specialty vehicles, which reflects the depth of Ford’s commitment and allows EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members in helping us grow the next generation of aviators.”

The F-35 Lightning II Edition Mustang joins six other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles auction. Ford vehicles donated at EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised more than $2.5 million to support the EAA Young Eagles.

The unique vehicles produced by Ford in support of EAA Young Eagles, include:

· 2008 – Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 “Raptor,” which helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000

· 2009 – The AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll” Mustang was crafted in honor of World War II aircraft

· 2010 – Two automotive icons – the late Carroll Shelby, a 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 reconnaissance jet

· 2011 – The Blue Angels Mustang celebrated 100 years of United States naval aviation

· 2012 – The Red Tails Mustang paid homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the courageous squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots who were the United States’ first African American military airmen

· 2013 – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang celebrated the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team

Mustang and Me

This month Ford premiered their newest generation of the iconic Mustang. The new model introduces a number of improvements to the ever evolving original pony car. Some of those changes will bring back options that were perhaps before their time in other generations. For instance the Mustang will feature an optional turbocharged four cylinder eco-boost engine, a similar concept which first appeared in the SVO Mustang. The car will also now come with an independent rear suspension, a feature seen on some SVT Cobra's in the past. Now obviously these features will be more refined and efficient than their predecessors. However, the history is still there.

Anticipating the new Mustang brought to memory my own history with America's car. I have been the proud owner of two Mustangs from two different generations. These cars helped me to understand the obsession and desire that surrounds these machines. Without further fuss, here are some musings on older Mustangs.

1990 Ford Mustang LX 5.0

My first Mustang was a 1990 LX with a 5.0 V8. For those less initiated with the cult of the fox body, a 5.0 LX is the same as the GT without the fantastic 80's body kit. This car was quick for its age and by far the most customized vehicle that I have owned to date. I would like to argue that my modifications were tasteful, but I'm not here to boast of the many merits of white pony wheels. The short list of the modifications includes Flowmaster exhaust, subframe connectors, K&N intake, Autometer gauges and some crappy aftermarket stereo to listen to through crappy factory speakers. I owned this Mustang for a couple years and sold it for less than the money I put into it. Doesn't that always seem to be the case? After a brief hiatus in a PT Cruiser (dark times indeed) I thankfully procured my next Mustang

2005 Mustang GT

I'll just start off by saying that yellow was probably not best color choice. I bought this car right when this generation was hitting dealerships, so color selection was limited slightly. Searing yellow paintwork aside, this beast had the options I wanted. Including the most important option of all, a manual transmission. This car was loud, fast and built to exceptional standards of quality ( except for that trim piece on the door that popped off after I left the lot). Alas I grew tired of the color and sold her after about one year.

This walk down memory lane is to make a point about the enduring value of all Mustangs (except the Mustang II of course) to their owners and America as a whole. The Mustang is an icon because nearly everybody has a personal experience with one. Be that through ownership or constantly seeing them all over the roadways of America. I'm rooting for the success of the 2015 Mustang here and it's new markets across the globe.

Ford Mustang Lights

Ford Mustang Lights - Great Deal to Safety

Visibility is one of the most essential part when you are driving, a driver should be able to spot where they are going to elude hitting something or anyone. Car lights are very significant to a driver's safety because they enhance the visibility on the street and maintain the driver and the passengers safe and sound especially in driving through feebly lighted areas. There are numerous types of lights used in cars specifically in Ford Mustangs; each with its own specific and important function and definite location in the automobile.

The Ford Mustang Headlights is sometimes referred to illumination produced by the lights installed on the front of your Mustang vehicle. The equipped light itself is in principle termed as headlight. Others may say that the term headlight is used to represent both the construction itself and the light formed. Mustang headlights without a doubt improve your line of vision when driving specially during the day. Mustang headlights can deliver the clear view you needed on the road. Mustang headlights are also very important to use whenever it rains or snow because the headlights on your Ford Mustang will absolutely increase your capability to see and contrive your movements during these times and definitely these will make your cars much more noticeable to other vehicles and pedestrians on the roadway.

The Taillight or stop lamp is set up at the back end of the car. It produces a red light when the brake is activated therefore giving warning to the vehicle at the back indicating that your car would stop. This will enable the driver of the preceding car time to slow down. Mustang Tail lights is made up of the tail lamp bezel or tail light frame. Mustang Tail light lens improves the car's style while adding security to the driver and the passengers. They have wire casing fixed over the lenses for safeguard and an extra hard and fashionable look. Latest Mustang models use lucid bulbs and red reflector.

Safety issues are always raised when buying a car that is why car producers provide their cars with the latest and ground-breaking features that could be positioned on their vehicles to make them dependable and safer. One of this features are the Fog lights. They are set up and mounted on the framework of your Ford Mustang. Fog lights give extra lighting during rough weather specially on rainy and winter season, helping you find the road safely. Mustang fog lights work as a complement to your headlights. Ford Mustangs used halogen bulb as fog lights to produce brighter beams. Fog lights are particularly intended to cut all the way through the fog to give you enhanced visibility. They are set up to harmonize with the stumpy beams of your headlights; collectively they work to maximize your visualization on the road.