The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT draws inspiration from American fighter pilots who served with the Royal Air Force in World War II.
The Ford Mustang was a hit when it was introduced in 1964. The pony car, as it became known, was emblazoned with a horse on the grille and other parts of the logo. However, Lee Iaccoca’s best-known contribution to Ford wasn’t named after a wild horse at all.
The name for company’s best-selling sports car ever was derived from the P-51 Mustang, a fighter plane from World War II … or at least that how some of the legend goes.
However, at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, attendees will get see to a Mustang truly inspired by fighter planes and pilots: the one-off Eagle Squadron Mustang GT.
Built as a tribute to American fighter pilots who servied in the Royal Air Force in World War II, the supercharged, custom-built Mustang is camouflage-painted in a military aircraft style, and named after the three Eagle Squadrons flown by American volunteer pilots.
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The Mustang was built together by Ford Performance and drift racer Vaughn Gittin’s RTR Vehicles. The 700-horsepower beast not only features a 5.0-liter V8 with a Ford Performance supercharger, RTR carbon fiber wide-body kit and Tactical Performance suspension package.
After it makes its debut in Goodwood, it will head to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Gathering of Eagles. The event draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts annually.
The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT will be auctioned off to support the EAA Young Eagles charity July 26.
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“Supporting young pilots through the EAA Young Eagles charity auction reflects Ford’s aviation history, tracing back to the company’s early days and the Arsenal of Democracy during WWII,” said Darrell Behmer, Ford Mustang design chief.
“The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT build with Vaughn and the Ford design team is a great way to honor our heroes and keep the spirit of aviation alive for the next generation of American pilots.”
The car’s highest bidder also receives an all-inclusive package for two to attend the 2018 Ford Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit in August to take delivery of the car along with a plaque autographed by Gittin and members of the Ford design team.
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This is the 20th year Ford has supported the EAA AirVenture event. All proceeds from the auctioned vehicles are donated to the Young Eagles youth program to encourage and support the next generation of pilots. In all, Ford has donated 11 custom-designed vehicles and helped raise more than $3 million.