Ford Mustang GT USAF Thunderbirds Edition
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Ford continue to provide a one-off Mustang for a charity auction at EAA
AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. This year, the car is a 2014 Ford Mustang GT with a design celebrating the
60th anniversary of acclaimed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
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16th July, 2013
The engineering and design teams at Ford Motor Company have produced a
unique U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition 2014 Ford Mustang GT. This car will be donated by Ford to be sold at the
Gathering of Eagles charity event on Thursday, 1st August during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture
Oshkosh 2013 – one of the world’s greatest aviation events.
All proceeds from the car donation and sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles programme, which has provided free
introductory flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992, helping inspire and motivate the next generation
of leaders, aviators and innovators.
Ford is the exclusive automotive sponsor of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, held 29th July 29 through 4th August at Wittman
Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA.
“The dedication and excellence displayed by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds are qualities we also
celebrate at Ford,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. “With this year’s beautiful
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang, we’ve captured the recognisable symbols of their stature and paired it with
the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all of our products.”
“Through this project,” Ford added, “we take great pride in continuing our support for EAA and the Young
Eagles organisation.”
This unique U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Ford Mustang GT celebrates and commemorates the 60th anniversary of the U.S.
Air Force Thunderbirds, the fastest, multi-jet flight demonstration team in the world. Thunderbirds fly the F-16 Falcon,
known for its glossy red, white and blue paint scheme.
This one-of-a-kind car is VIN 0001. The design of the modified 2014 Mustang GT 5.0-litre glass-roof coupe exudes a
connection to the Thunderbirds, with a contemporary flair for the serious collector.
The exterior will showcase a custom brilliant white paint with red and blue accents, as well as markings and logos,
tying it to the Thunderbirds’ F-16 Falcon aircraft. The unique treatment includes wide body modifications and a
handcrafted and painted “belly pan” that emulates the F-16 Thunderbird appearance. TS Designs handcrafted the front and
rear wide body elements, Creations n’ Chrome crafted the unique belly pan – plus applied the paint and markings – and
Forgiato made custom 22-inch wheels to further differentiate this Mustang from anything else on the road.
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Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
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Unique interior details of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Ford Mustang GT include a modified navigation
screen, instrument cluster and rear seat-delete. The car’s Recaro seats include embroidered Thunderbirds elements.
Additional features include unique sill plates and puddle lamps that project the aircraft silhouette when the doors
open.
Ford Racing components will boost the performance to an extraordinary level. With the addition of a Ford Racing
supercharger, suspension handling pack and Brembo brakes, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang will exude
class, power and performance.
Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt and Mustang Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak led the design and engineering
teams that developed the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang GT.
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 programmes that inspire young people to become
engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.
“Ford is a longtime, committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture, bringing value to those who make Oshkosh the pinnacle
of their aviation year,” said Jack Pelton, EAA Chairman. “These specialty vehicles reflect the depth of Ford’s
commitment and allow EAA to provide support to its valuable programmes and dedicated members in helping us grow the next
generation of aviators.”
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2007 Ford Mustang GT
road test
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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition joins five other one-of-a-kind Mustangs made by the Ford design and
engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles auction in recent years, each generating excitement among aviation and
automotive enthusiasts alike. Ford vehicles sold at auction during past EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised
nearly $1.9 million to support Young Eagles.
The unique vehicles produced by Ford in support of EAA Young Eagles include the Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22
“Raptor,” which in 2008 helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000.
In 2009 Ford’s AV-X10
“Dearborn Doll”
Mustang was crafted in honour of World War II aircraft. In 2010 two automotive 'living treasures' – 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 makee the SR-71 “Blackbird” Mustang inspired by the legendary reconnaissance jet. The
“Blue Angels”
Mustang in 2011 celebrated 100 years of United States naval aviation, and last year’s “Red Tails” Mustang paid homage to
the Tuskegee Airmen, the courageous squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots.
During EAA AirVenture, Ford will offer attendees access to the latest advances in automobile technology and feature
exciting attractions and favourites at the Ford Hangar on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport. Ford activities
include top-tier entertainment and interactive components that will add excitement for the hundreds of thousands of
aviation fans in attendance.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is an aviation event and EAA’s yearly membership convention.
EAA AirVenture 2013 will feature 10,000 aircraft, including 2,500 show planes, and is expected to attract more than
500,000 aviation enthusiasts from more than 70 countries.
E&OE.
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