Ford Shoots for the Moon with Apollo Edition 2015 Mustang
Ford is known for building amazingly cool Mustangs like the 5.0 GT and the Shelby GT350, and for the eighth year in a row, the Detroit automaker has created a truly amazing aviation-themed Ford Mustang to benefit Experimental Aircraft Association youth education programs, including the Young Eagles. Today, Ford Shoots for the Moon with the Apollo Edition 2015 Ford Mustang. Best of all, you can own the Apollo Edition Mustang, as it will go up for auction at the Gathering of Eagles charity event, July 23, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.
“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.”
Aviation has long been important to Ford, remember the Ford Tri-Motor airplane produced by Henry Ford from 1925 - 1933? According to Ford, all proceeds from the sale of the Apollo Mustang will benefit EAA youth education programs, including the Young Eagles, a program that has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9 million young people since 1992. The EAA AirVentur event takes place July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Apollo Mustang began as a 2015 fastback Ford Mustang GT, that was modified by Ford design and engineering teams. The group was captained by Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt. The body features a unique glossy pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme that “delivers a creative connection with the NASA Apollo program,” stated Ford. It also features a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings and accent treatments, what looks like the Shelby GT350R wing, along with unique LED underbody lighting to symbolize atmospheric re-entry.
To launch harder, the Apollo Mustang needed boost, so the team installed a Ford Performance intercooled supercharger along with an X-pipe with both side and rear exhaust to raise output to 627 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque. And to give the pilots more control, they added a sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes, and custom Forgiato 21-inch performance wheels. Interested in making your Mustang look like this? You're in luck as Brothers Performance stocks many of the hot parts such as Superchargers, wheels and performance exhaust systems.
The winning bidder will command the Apollo Mustang from an interior that’s been upgraded with exclusive interior details. This includes performance gauges and stitching on the steering wheel, modified instrument cluster, unique sill plates and embroidered elements in seats, trim panels and floor mats and rear-seat delete with Apollo mission badges.
“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.”
Ford stated its donated vehicles at EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised nearly $3 million. And the 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
You can see the Apollo Edition Mustang 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,” Ford added.
