This year marks the fourth straight year Ford Motor Company has created a unique, one-off aviation-themed Mustang for auction to benefit the EAA Young Eagles program. The one-of-a-kind 2011 ‘Blue Angels’ Mustang GT will honor the Centennial of Naval Aviation as it will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the Young Eagles Auction at the annual Gathering of Eagles event on Thursday, July 28.
The exterior of the ‘Blue Angels’ Mustang GT, which was inspired by the acclaimed naval aviation demonstration team, features a unique blue chrome finish with a yellow gloss accent and “Blue Angels” scripted along with its iconic crest.The Blue Angels’ crest is also stitched into its leather Recaro seats. Under the skin, the “Blue Angels” Mustang is all performance with a super-charged 5.0L V8 engine producing more than 500-hp, Ford Racing handling pack, performance exhaust, and racetrack brake components.
“Ford is a long-time supporter of EAA and our mission to showcase the finest innovation and technology in flight,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. “The high interest among aviators in the U.S. Navy and the ‘Blue Angels’ Mustang team will make this a very sought-after item and ensure EAA’s ability to do some amazing things for our future aviation enthusiasts.”
The Ford “Blue Angels” Mustang will be on display inside the Ford Hangar during EAA AirVenture. This unique automobile continues Ford’s generous support for the EAA Young Eagles program, which exceeds $1.3 million in recent years.
The Young Eagles Auction is part of the EAA Gathering of Eagles on Thursday, July 28, at the EAA AirVenture Museum. 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 the engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists, and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.
The “Blue Angels” edition joins the three other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford Design and Engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles Auction in recent years, each desired by both aviation and automotive enthusiasts alike.
In 2008, the Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 “Raptor,” introduced the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000. In 2009, the AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll” auctioned was crafted in honor of World War II aircraft. In 2010, Carroll Shelby, a former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and Jack Roush, a long-time P-51 pilot, collaborated for the first time to create the SR-71 “Blackbird” inspired by the legendary reconnaissance jet.
“The Ford Design and Engineering team members have really embraced the opportunity to build these one-off projects,” said Kevin Keling, Ford corporate events manager. “We develop the theme early and then marvel at the creativity and ingenuity of the team. This blue chrome paint is fantastic and unlike any thing you’ll see in production anywhere. The small details such as puddle lamps projecting jets are amazing!”
Check back as we will have a complete gallery of photos coming soon.
