For the eighth straight year, Ford Motor Company has created a unique, aviation-inspired Ford Mustang to benefit Experimental Aircraft Association youth education programs, including the Young Eagles. 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.

All proceeds from the sale of the car 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.

Ford serves as exclusive automotive sponsor of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, held July 20-26 this year at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“The Apollo program delivered astonishing innovations in technology and achieved a national goal of landing the first human on the moon,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. “The entire program was extraordinary – one of our nation’s greatest technological achievements. With this year’s stunning Apollo Edition Mustang, we salute that spirit of American ingenuity with the quintessential American automobile – Ford Mustang.”

Based on a 2015 fastback Ford Mustang GT, Ford design and engineering teams transformed the 5.0-liter pony car into the Apollo Edition Mustang – a truly unique and highly valued vehicle that will excite enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Led by Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt, the exterior features a one-of-a-kind glossy pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme that delivers a creative connection with the NASA Apollo program. The Apollo Edition Mustang features a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings and accent treatments, along with unique LED underbody lighting to symbolize atmospheric re-entry.

Performance enhancements include a performance package, 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. This Mustang will deliver a heart-pounding 627 horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque to provide an exhilarating, controlled launch for its new owner.

The theme carries into the cabin with exclusive interior details, including performance gauges, modified instrument cluster, unique sill plates and embroidered elements in seats, trim panels and floor mats.

The auction of the Apollo Edition Mustang will be the pinnacle of the EAA Gathering of Eagles gala. The event annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts in support of EAA youth education programs, which 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 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 support 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 legendary 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 – courageous squadron of 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 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

The Apollo Edition Mustang will proudly be on display all week in the Ford hangar at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015. To participate in the auction, interested parties must prequalify by contacting the EAA development office, (800) 236-1025 or donor@eaa.org.

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.

Shelby, Boss, Mach 1, Bullitt. No model on the market celebrates its history more than the Ford Mustang. Ford is about to release the Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs, promising that the R will be the best Mustang track car ever. And if a report from Automotive News (subscription required) is correct, a Mach 1 edition Mustang will return for the 2018 model year. That report also states that the 2018 Mustang will get a new front fascia and the 10-speed automatic transmission Ford has been working on with General Motors.
Ford last offered a Mach 1 Mustang for the 2003 and 2004 model years. Highlighting that car was the dual-overhead cam 4.6-liter V8, which upped horsepower to 310 from 260 in the single-overhead cam 4.6. The car also came with 13-inch Brembo front brake rotors, Tokico gas shocks and struts, lower and stiffer springs, anti-lock brakes, comfort-weave-style leather upholstery, and a functional hood scoop.

The Mach 1 package made its debut on the 1969 Mustang and continued through 1978. The 1969 Mach 1 came standard with a 250-horsepower 351-cubic inch V-8 and buyers could opt for the 390 or 428, with horsepower rising as high as 360 with the Super Cobra Jet. It also featured the competition suspension, chrome steel wheels, and color-keyed dual racing mirrors, and it was only offered in the Sportsroof (read: fastback) body style. The GT option was dropped after 1969, with Mach 1 effectively taking its place.

The larger 1971-73 Mustangs and the smaller 1974-78 Mustang IIs were also offered as Mach 1s, with performance gradually dwindling.

The 10-speed automatic should also see duty in Ford pickups and next-generation Lincolns, basically anything with big V-8 or twin-turbo V-6 power. Based on the struggles today's 9-speed automatics have had, we can't imagine adding any more than 10 gears. Let's hope (and expect) that 2018 Mach 1 will also offer a manual.

Ford Performance proudly unveiled the 2016 Cobra Jet Mustang today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, marking the newest iteration of Cobra Jet as a limited-edition turnkey race car.

Like its predecessors, the new Cobra Jet is a factory-built race car that is legal for National Hot Rod Association Stock and Super Stock drag racing, as well as several classes in the International Hot Rod Association, National Mustang Racers Association and National Muscle Car Association. Also like its predecessors, the new Cobra Jet is limited to 50 units – making the 2016 edition among the most collectible Mustangs ever.

Since its victorious debut at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals, Ford’s Cobra Jet Mustang has represented a legacy of power, performance and triumph. The modern program started with 50 cars for the 2008 model year, continuing with 50-unit limited builds in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. For 2016, the car is available in Oxford White or Deep Impact Blue, with each color limited to 25 examples.

“The modern Cobra Jet has performed for our customers and put Ford in the winner’s circle consistently since 2008,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. “The new car is the first Cobra Jet built off the all-new 2015 Mustang – the only factory 2016 Mustang with a solid-axle rear suspension. We are excited to see it compete.”

The Cobra Jet engine is made up of 75 percent production Mustang GT components topped by a front inlet Whipple supercharger; as delivered, it’s capable of eight-second quarter-mile times.

“It was important to use production hardware wherever possible to ensure parts are readily available and reasonably priced for racers,” said Jesse Kershaw, Ford Performance manager for drag racing parts and competition. “The production parts are also incredibly durable in passing our rigorous dyno and drag strip testing.”

For decades, Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of motorsport, including drag racing. Cobra Jet has added to that legacy – posting several high-profile wins including the 2015 NHRA U.S. Nationals Super Stock Eliminator and Factory Showdown races, while also holding multiple track records in various classes in the series.

The 2016 Cobra Jet features such enhancements as drag race-specific coil-over shocks and springs, lightweight racing brakes by Strange Engineering, 8.50-certified roll cage, Aeromotive fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell, Corbeau FIA seats, five-point race harnesses and race-prepped automatic transmission.

Ford Performance engineers tapped internal resources, taking technology from other parts of the company and adapting it for racing. The Cobra Jet engine uses an electric water pump from Ford C-MAX Hybrid that allows cool-down without the engine running – resulting in more consistent racing via improved management of engine temperature. Dyno cells calibrated to simulate drag strip burnouts and quarter-mile runs were used to prove out engine durability.

With the Cobra Jet engine’s highly proven components largely sourced directly from the Ford parts shelf, the car’s parts are durable, efficient and well-engineered. Additional performance parts can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog.

Cobra Jet Mustang is getting its start at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, with production now under way and delivery expected the first quarter of 2016.

The 2016 Cobra Jet is sold as a performance part without a VIN. Customers can order one by submitting a placeholder order for part number M-FR500-CJ through any North American Ford dealer. MSRP for the base car is $99,990. The popular graphics option costs $1,995 and a wheelie bar costs $1,995.