Ford’s wildly yellow “Ole Yeller” Shelby GT350 Mustang fetched $295,000 during a charity auction at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The money benefits the EAA’s youth education programs, including giving kids their first flight in a small plane.

Ole Yeller was Ford’s ninth custom Mustang for the EAA, and the pony cars have raised over $3 million for the EAA's youth charity. In addition to the vibrant yellow and black body, Ford outfitted the one-off with a massive rear wing and neon underbody lighting. The interior featured big Recaro seats and a similar color scheme.

Ford’s Ole Yeller pays tribute to a famous P-51D Mustang that still holds the record as the fastest prop plane to travel coast to coast. To give the lucky driver a little taste of that kind of power, the GT350 still packs a 5.2-liter V8 that pumps out 526 horsepower (392 kilowatts) and 429 pound-feet (582 Newton-meters) of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The yellow Mustang’s performance in the auction was better than last year’s Apollo Edition that sold for $230,000. However, 2013’s U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds-inspired ‘Stang brought an impressive $398,000 for the charity. The AV8R from 2008 still tops the bunch by selling for an impressive $500,000.

Source: Ford

Gallery: 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Ole Yeller

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FORD DONATED "OLE YELLER" MUSTANG RAISES $295,000 TO SUPPORT EAA YOUTH EDUCATION AND AVIATION

02/08/16


Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang bred from Shelby GT350® – the most track-ready and road-legal Mustang ever produced -- sold at charity auction July 28 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin


Donation and sale benefits EAA’s youth education programs, including Young Eagles: Ford auction vehicles have collectively raised more than $3 million in recent years to support Young Eagles and youth education programs


Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang pays homage to the famous North American P-51D Mustang and Bob Hoover, renowned United States Air Force fighter pilot and air show performer


DEARBORN, Mich., Aug 2, 2016 – The one-of-a-kind, aviation-inspired Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang developed by the design and engineering teams at Ford Motor Company sold for $295,000 at the recent Gather of Eagles charity event last week. The auction was held during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celbration. Hank Menke, president and CEO of OFS Brands in Huntingburg, Indiana was the winning bidder.

All proceeds from the car donation and sale benefit EAA’s youth education programs, including the Young Eagles, which has provided free introductory flights to 2 million young people since 1992, helping grow the next generation of aviators.

The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang is the ninth one-of-a-kind vehicle created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the auction in support of EAA youth education. Ford vehicles donated at EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised more than $3 million.

The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang features a custom yellow exterior finish with “Ole Yeller” accents and badging, unique carbon fiber components and mirrors projecting images of the aircraft. The interior incorporates specially designed Recaro seats, sill plates, floor mats with unique logos and aviation inspired gauges.

Bred from the ultra high-performance and limited production, Shelby GT350® Mustang, it features a 5.2L Ti-VCT V8 engine with Flat Plane Crank. Boasting the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine Ford has ever produced, the Shelby GT350 generates a heart-pounding 526 horsepower and exhilarating 429 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse is mated to a TREMEC® 6-speed manual transmission and features a specially tuned sport suspension, making it the most track-ready, road-legal Mustang ever produced.

“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,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. “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. Through this project, we take great pride in continuing our support for EAA youth education programs.”

“Ole Yeller,” with its bright, eye-catching yellow exterior, is one of the most recognizable P-51D Mustangs in the world. It still holds the prop plane record for coast-to-coast travel at 5 hours and 20 minutes, set in 1985. R. A. “Bob” Hoover, known as a pilot’s pilot, will be forever linked with “Ole Yeller.” Hoover is widely considered the founding father of modern aerobatics and thrilled airshow fans piloting “Ole Yeller” for more than 20 years. In 1997, Hoover sold "Ole Yeller" to his good friend John Bagley of Rexburg, Idaho. "Ole Yeller" still flies frequently and is based at the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg, Idaho.

“We’re truly grateful Ford is, and has been, such a committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board. “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.”

Previous years’ unique aviation themed Mustangs created to support EAA’s youth education programs, including Young Eagles, were:

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 the 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 II Edition Mustang, which featured design cues from the world’s most advanced multirole fighter jet – the F-35 Lightning

2015 – Apollo Edition Mustang paid homage to the Apollo spaceflight program, which delivered astonishing innovations in technology and landed the first human on the moon.

The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang exterior and interior were designed by Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt. Interior enhancements were supported by Ford Designer Nicole Rush and the Ford design fabrication team. The custom modifications were performed by MAD Industries, led by Chris Mangum. Additional contributers to the project include 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, Ceramic Pro 9H, Coverkings, L&G Enterprises and Signature Performance Tire & Wheel.

To stay apprised of all Ford EAA AirVenture news, connect with the Ford team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FordAirventure or visit www.FordAirventure.com.

For more information on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016, visit www.AirVenture.org.

 


About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford aggressively is pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive the lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.