World champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr has teamed up with Ford to bring a special one-off edition Ford Mustang GT to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT is a tribute to the pilots of the Royal Air Force during World War II and will be auctioned off to raise money for charity.
The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT was co-created by Ford Performance and Gittin's RTR Vehicles. Inspired by fighter aircraft, the Mustang GT fastback will debut at Goodwood on July 12. After that, it will return to the United States for the Experimental Aircraft Association's fundraiser, called The Gathering, on July 26. The event draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts annually and raises money for the EAA's youth education programs.
"Supporting young pilots through the EAA charity auction reflects Ford's aviation history, tracing back to the company's early days and the Arsenal of Democracy during WWII," says 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 one of a kind Eagle Squadron Mustang GT features a 5.0-liter V8 from Ford Performance, supercharged to produce 700 horsepower (522 kW). The car has an RTR carbon fiber wide-body kit and Tactical Performance suspension package as well. The custom paint and design elements set it apart from other Mustang GT customs.
Inspiration for the Eagle Squadron tribute came from the WWII Royal Air Force Eagle squadrons that flew over Goodwood's fields in defence of the United Kingdom. Those Eagle Squadrons were made up of a diverse group of American pilots who'd volunteered to defend democracy in Europe prior to the US entering the war.
The winning bidder at the auction at the EAA's event will take delivery by special invitation to the annual Ford Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit in August. A plaque commemorating the car will also be presented, with signatures from the Ford design team's members as well as by Gittin.
Source: Ford
