The surface of Pluto as seen from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft. Credit: NASA
The surface of Pluto as seen from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. Credit: NASA

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is hurtling through space after having just passed Pluto and is reviving American interests in the space-race, so Ford is reviving an old NASA namesake to celebrate.

The Ford Mustang Apollo Edition is a one of a kind car which was inspired by innovations taken to head to the moon, Pluto and the peer across space.

“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 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.”

The Ford Mustang Apollo Edition looks like Alan Shepard should be playing golf in front of it.
The Ford Mustang Apollo Edition looks like Alan Shepard should be playing golf in front of it. Credit: Ford

Donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association to benefit the youth education program, the Apollo Edition Mustang will be auctioned off on at the Gathering of Eagles charity event held July 23 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.

All of the proceeds from the Mustang’s sale will go to benefit youth education programs, such as Young Eagles.

Of course, to do that, Ford needed to start with a Mustang; choosing the 2015 fastback Mustang GT. The new Apollo Edition features pure white and pure black, non-production paint scheme with a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings and accent pieces, along with LED underbody lighting to give it the ‘spacecraft’ feel. The interior also features modifications and improvements befitting this one-of-one pony.

Though, you can’t get to space with the base engine in the GT… for that you’ll need to boost performance a bit, too.

Ford dropped in a performance package including a Performance Supercharge and shifter, x-pipe with side and rear exhaust, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes and a custom set of 21-inch Forgiato wheels.

This rocket will have 627hp and 540 lbft of torque, with an all-new launch control to keep it on Earth.

The 2015 Ford Mustang Apollo Edition is one of many one-of-a-kind vehicles Ford has produced over the years to support EAA Youth Education, raising a total of nearly $3 million since 2008.

For more information, please visit www.FordAirventure.com.

Deanna Isaacs the owner, editor-in-chief and lead journalist at The Auto Reporter. She graduated from the University of Washington's Communication department in 2014 with a BA in Journalism. She enjoys sports cars, working on her classic two-seaters and long drives where she can annoy the husband. You can reach Deanna Isaacs using the Contact Us form: https://www.theautoreporter.com/contact/.