Ford is raising money for charity with its Apollo Edition Mustang. The one-of-a-kind pony car will be auctioned off on July 23.

Automakers find plenty of ways to support local and national charities and Ford is no exception. Its engineering and design teams combined to create an Apollo Edition Mustang that will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Experimental Aircraft Association.

All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit EAA youth education programs, including the Young Eagles, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9 million young people since 1992, helping grow the next generation of aviators.

It will be donated and auctioned off on July 23 at the Gathering of Eagles charity event at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

“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 Apollo edition Mustang will help raise money for the EAA's youth programs.

“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.”

Ford has produced vehicles for the EAA’s education programs since 2008 using themes from a variety of aircraft. This year’s model, which is based on a 2015 fastback Ford Mustang GT, is the first time Ford design and engineering teams looked a little higher than the clouds.

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Led by Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt, the exterior features a one-of-a-kind glossy pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme that delivers a creative connection with the NASA Apollo program.

The Apollo Edition Mustang features a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings and accent treatments, along with unique LED underbody lighting to symbolize atmospheric re-entry.

Performance enhancements include a performance package, Ford Performance supercharger and shifter, X-pipe with side and rear exhaust, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes and custom Forgiato 21-inch performance wheels. The result is a beast that performs like a rocket ship, putting out 627 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque.

The theme carries into the cabin with exclusive interior details, including performance gauges, modified instrument cluster, unique sill plates and embroidered elements in seats, trim panels and floor mats.

Under this hood are enough performance enhancements to produce a 627-horsepower, 540 foot-pounds of torque rocket ship.

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Ford has raised nearly $3 million with its seven previous vehicles, which included:

• 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

The auction of the Apollo Edition Mustang will be the pinnacle of the EAA Gathering of Eagles gala. The event annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts in support of EAA youth education programs, which inspire young people to become engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.

“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.

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“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.”