How Ford Put NASA Designs into a 627hp 2015 Mustang GT

Over each of the past few years, Ford Motor Company has designed a custom, one-off Ford Mustang that was donated to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event runs from July 20th through the 26th, but the big day for this year’s custom Ford Mustang comes on July 23rd, when the charity auction goes off. The money raised from the sale of the custom Mustang GT will go to support the EAA Young Eagles program, which helps get young kids interesting in flying and other aviation hobbies.

"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 2015 Ford Mustang GT
As has been the case in each of the past 7 years, the Ford Mustang GT designed for the EAA AirVenture charity has a distinct aeronautic theme, this time paying tribute to the Apollo rocket program which helped land Americans on the moon.

This begins on the outside, where the 2015 Mustang GT has been fitted with carbon fiber goodies including a large front splitter, side sills, a rear diffuser and the large rear spoiler from the new GT350R. Black and white 21 inch wheels wrapped in low profile, high performance rubber work perfectly with the black and white exterior paint job. Accenting the black and white, just like the Apollo rockets, the USA logo and American flag are placed on the sides and on the hood. Really, it is a very simple paint and decal scheme, but I love the look. It is one mean looking new Mustang. Finishing off the exterior appointments are orange LEDs under the car that provide the look of the thrusters preparing the car for liftoff.

Speaking of liftoff, the Apollo Edition Ford Mustang GT is more than just an appearance package, as the 5.0L V8 has been fitted with a Ford Racing supercharger. This takes the output from the standard 435hp and 400lb-ft of torque up to a stunning 627 horsepower and 540lb-ft of torque. The Apollo Edition Mustang also gets six piston Brembo brakes, a sport suspension setup, a full exhaust system upgrade including an X-pipe and a short throw shifter.

This custom Ford Mustang GT is awesome, but getting to one this one-of-one Mustang wont come cheap. At the 2014 EAA AirVenture, the Mustang donated by Ford sold for a half million dollars.

Before is a full list of the Ford Mustang models sent to the EAA AirVenture to support their children’s programs over the past seven years. For more information on the EAA event, click here!

The Previous EAA AirVenture Charity Ford Mustangs
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