Yellow Streak
Ford continues supporting EAA Young Eagles with a unique Shelby auction
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
For the past eight years Ford has constructed some amazing, one-off Mustangs destined for the auction block at the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From the Mustang AV8R (inspired by the F-22 Raptor) in 2008 to the Apollo Edition Mustang (inspired by the Apollo spaceflight program) in 2015, these pony cars have all drawn from aeronautical inspiration to fit the event’s theme.
This year’s Mustang is no different. It is a Shelby GT350 that is modified to evoke the spirit of Ole Yeller—a famous P-51D Mustangs airplane that holds the prop-plane record for coast-to-coast travel at 5 hours and 20 minutes. R. A. “Bob” Hoover set that record back in 1985, but this year in Oshkosh the Ole Yeller Mustang will hit the auction block on July 28.
You can learn more about this special Shelby here…
[video=youtube;co04mFfOBwM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://youtu.be/co04mFfOBwM[/video]
Orchestrated by Ford Design manager, Melvin Betancourt, the Ole Yeller Mustang began its life a Shelby GT350 before receiving its aeronautical makeover at the hands of Chris Mangum at MAD Industries. Ford Designer Nicole Rush and the Ford design fabrication team worked on the interior enhancements, while MAD added aftermarket upgrades from Ford Performance, Brembo, Carbon 2 Carbon, BASF Refinish, Pirelli Tires, Diode Dynamics, Rigid Industries LED Lighting, sPOD Power Distribution & Switching Components, 3M Window Films, PIAA, APR Performance, Rosen Electronics, FOCAL/The Source AV, Odyssey Battery, Recaro, Northern Engraving, Miko, American & Efird, Takata Holdings, Inc., Forgiato Wheels, Coverkings, L&G Enterprises and Signature Performance Tire & Wheel.
“This year’s one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang honors two aviation greats, the iconic and historic P-51D Mustang fighter plane, and highly decorated fighter pilot, test pilot, and air show performer, Bob Hoover, who is referred to by many as one of the greatest pilots ever to have lived,” Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors, said. “The Shelby GT350 Mustang, with its nimbleness, speed and aerodynamics, provided us with the perfect platform to create this tribute to the P-51D aircraft.”
As one of the preeminent gatherings of aircraft in the country, AirVenture also host the Experimental Aircraft Association’s EAA Gathering of Eagles gala. This event is designed to raise money to support youth education programs that assist in the education of tomorrow’s aviators, astronauts, engineers and scientists, which is definitely a great cause.
“We’re truly grateful Ford is, and has been, such a committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture for more than 16 years now,” Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board, added. “With its ninth Mustang donation, Ford has definitely delivered something exceptional that any auto or aviation enthusiast would love to own. The Ford 'Ole Yeller' Mustang will allow EAA to provide support to our valuable programs helping us grow the next generation of aviators.”
So far Ford’s unique Mustangs have generated over $3 million for EEA’s youth education programs, which have benefitted 2 million young people with free introductory flights since 1992. The sale of Ole Yeller this year will add to the tally, as all proceeds from the auction will again benefit those programs.
Paying Homage to the P-51D airplane that holds the coast-to-coast prop plane record and served as the official pace and safety plane for the Reno National Championship Air Races, the auction of this unique Ole Yeller Shelby GT350 will benefit EAA youth education programs.
This isn’t just any 526-horsepower Shelby GT350. It was modified with a host of aftermarket parts at the direction of Ford designers to embody the spirit of am historic aircraft.
